There is no sufficient superlative to describe last Sunday week in Pairc Ui Rinn. Be it the the atmosphere, the support or most importantly the performance of the players themselves it was an occasion that will live long in the memory of all who were lucky to have made the trip down. Another famous day in the long illustrious history of our club, dethroning Munster Champions Ballygunner after a titanic battle in atrocious conditions.
Any perceived notion of nerves or inexperience at this at level was blown out of water inside forty seconds when a cross field Kevin Maher pass found Jerry Kelly on the fourteen yard line who powered past his man before firing us a point ahead. The lads were more than a match for their much fancied opponents in what was an abrasive opening ten minutes of hurling, two long range Brendan Maher frees kept the scoreboard ticking over.
Jerry Kelly produced the score of the half soon after with a fantastic sideline from just inside the Ballygunner fourteen yard line. A well struck Kevin Maher tied the game once more at 0-05 apiece after an entertaining opening quarter. Ballygunner showed just why they were competing in their third Munster on the trot as they powered into a three point lead, former Premier League footballer Dessie Hutchinson at the centre of all that was good for the six in a row Waterford Champions.
A long range effort from Conor Kenny reduced the gap back to two before a Pauraic Mahony free rounded off a fiercely contested first half as we went in 0-09 to 0-06 in arrears after playing against the majority of elements.
Sensing a real opportunity the lads emerged in second half with a renewed vigor, increasing their already ferocious work rate to make a real battle of proceedings. The siege like conditions on the field along with the ever deteriorating weather meant scores were at a premium, both teams only registering a single score in the opening ten minutes of the half. Another finely struck Brendan Maher free keeping the deficit at three.
The gap between the teams had held steady at three points for a full fifteen minutes as we entered into the final quarter. It was going to take something special to break the deadlock and sure enough it arrived in the forty third minute. A large ruck developed on our own sixty five metre line resulting in Ray McCormack emerging with ball in hand. He then set off on a penetrating run at the heart of the Gunners defence before brilliantly offloading the ball to Kieran Maher who found himself in acres of space as he bore down on Stephen O'Keefes goal. He then rifled the ball past the Waterford shot stopper rattling the net as the stands erupted. Game on.
With momentum firmly in our favour the lads drove on with intent tagging on two points in quick succession, both through the absolutely outstanding Brendan Maher at centre back who gave arguably his greatest performance in maroon and white. The first coming as he beautifully robbed the ball from a ruck of players in mid air without breaking stride before stroking the ball over from under the stand just inside the opposition half as the crowd erupted once more. But like true Champions Ballygunner responded in emphatic fashion, a crossfield ball from the ever present Dessie Hutchinson found the completely unmarked Barry O'Sullivan, one on one with James McCormack he made no mistake finishing the ball to the bottom left hand corner.
Once again the lads didn't panic, responding almost immediately with an excellent score under pressure from Jerry Kelly leveling proceedings for the 7th time with eight minutes left. An eleventh Ballygunner point of the game pushed them ahead once more but that would be as good as it got for them as the two late Brendan Maher frees sealed our second Munster Title. They were truly deserving victors after an awe inspiring display of grit and determination that will live long in the memory.
Joint Captain's Sean McCormack and Conor Kenny raised the O'Neill Cup high in the stand in front the huge contingent of wonderful supporters that made their way down to Cork in support of the lads. We now March on to the All Ireland Semi Final where we will take on Galway Champions and last years beaten All Ireland finalists St.Thomas's. This game will be played on the weekend of 4th and 5th of journey. All fixture details will be posted across all our social media accounts when fixed.
The Club would also like to take this opportunity to thank the overwhelming support we received from all around the County and Country. Especially all of our fellow Tipperary Clubs and their supporters. Yer support was greatly appreciated, fingers crossed we will be as successful representing our province as we were representing the County.
Borris Abú!
Team and Scorers:
James McCormack
Seamus Burke, Paddy Stapleton, Liam Ryan
Sean McCormack, Brendan Maher (0-07 (0-05f, 0-01 '65)), Ray McCormack
Tommy Ryan, Dan McCormack
Kieran Maher (1-00), Niall Kenny, Conor Kenny (0-01)
Kevin Maher (0-01 (0-01f)), Jerry Kelly (0-03 (0-01 Sideline)), JD Devaney
Subs Used: Jack Hogan for Tommy Ryan (25th min)
