Ballygunner 0-18
Lismore 1-13
Tomás McCarthy reports from Fraher Field
BALLYGUNNER SURVIVED AN almighty scare from last year’s intermediate champions Lismore in a Fraher Field mudbath tonight to tee up a Waterford SHC final against De La Salle next Sunday.
Pauric Mahony landed eight frees and Brian O’Sullivan bagged five from play as Fergal Hartley’s charges turned around a three-point deficit over the second period. John Prendergast levelled the game entering injury time before Conor Power and JJ Hutchinson popped up with late points.
The Shanahans, with 1-10 split between them, again inspired Lismore. Dan’s goal, his ninth of the campaign, kept them in contention at the break. He tagged on two points while Maurice scored four in each half. Maurice remains the championship top scorer on 4-57. Dan finished the season with a staggering 9-9.
Brian O’Sullivan knocked over three points from play inside nine minutes as the Gunners showered the Lismore full-back division with crossfield balls to move 0-6 to 0-1 clear. Maurice Shanahan responded with the next three singles. At the other end, Conor Power rattled the Lismore crossbar.
Mahony launched three frees to reinstate their five point gap. Barry Coughlan, with the assistance of Ian Kenny, negated Dan Shanahan’s influence under high balls initially but the three-time All Star pounced for an opportunist goal on 27 minutes. Kenny attempted a back pass to Stephen O’Keeffe but Shanahan flicked the sliotar into the empty net past the stranded keeper. Hartley’s side shot six wides into the road goal but still enjoyed a 0-9 to 1-4 half time cushion.
Dan Shanahan and Paudie Prendergast promptly drew Lismore level on the restart. Maurice Shanahan then sent the 13/2 outsiders in front with a huge score.
Maurice added a free then Dan fetched a high delivery and blasted over from close range (1-9 to 0-9). Mahony converted three placed balls to level the match for a third time. Brian O’Sullivan nudged the Gunners back in front entering the final quarter with a swift double.
Prendergast reduced the arrears from a free. With ten minutes remaining, Mahony won a free and dispatched his eighth of the night. Younger brother Michael came off the bench to fire them three up (0-16 to 1-10). Lismore fought back through Maurice Shanahan and John Prendergast but the champs dug real deep and kept a tight grip on the News & Star trophy.
Scorers for Ballygunner: Pauric Mahony 0-8 (8fs), Brian O’Sullivan 0-5, Conor Power 0-2, Billy O’Keeffe, Michael Mahony, JJ Hutchinson 0-1 each.
Scorers for Lismore: Maurice Shanahan 0-8 (4fs), Dan Shanahan 1-2, Paudie Prendergast 0-2 (1f), John Prendergast 0-1.
Ballygunner
1. Stephen O’Keeffe
5. Philip Mahony
3. Barry Coughlan
4. Ian Kenny
6. Wayne Hutchinson
2. Eddie Hayden
7. Shane Walsh
8. Harley Barnes
9. Shane O’Sullivan
11. David O’Sullivan
12. Pauric Mahony
15. Billy O’Keeffe
10. Peter Hogan
14. Brian O’Sullivan
13. Conor Power
Subs
20. Michael Mahony for Hogan (25)
21. Barry O’Sullivan for Barnes (H-T)
22. JJ Hutchinson for Billy O’Keeffe (53)
Lismore
1. Brendan Landers
2. Pat Hennessy
3. David Prendergast
5. Shane Heaphy
6. Ray Barry
8. Paudie Prendergast
7. Kenny Moore
4. Aaron Whelan
9. Finbarr Reaney
10. Jordan Shanahan
11. Maurice Shanahan
12. John Prendergast
13. Stevie Barry
14. Dan Shanahan
15. Jack Prendergast
Referee: Michael O’Brien
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