Ballygunner 0-17
Dungarvan 1-12
PAURIC MAHONY GUIDED Ballygunner to their fifth county final in six years as a last quarter push denied a brave Dungarvan effort at a dark Fraher Field.
There was a dramatic climax to this riveting county semi final as Dungarvan substitute Liam Ryan sent an injury time shot right and wide with only Stephen O’Keeffe to beat. The Gunners survived by the skin of their teeth and will meet Mount Sion in a repeat of the 2006 decider.
Fergal Hartley’s side trailed by 1-12 to 0-12 entering the home stretch but issued a measured response. Ryan Donnelly’s goal on 45 minutes had boosted the Blues and Patrick Curran was on song with eight points.
The Gunners hit the last five points however to steer clear of danger with Mahony striking four. County minor Peter Hogan also came off the bench and delivered a memorable individual effort.
Ballygunner nosed a helter skelter first half by a slender margin (0-10 to 0-9). They led by five points within six minutes but Dungarvan soon settled into their stride. Four points in a row during a much improved second quarter nudged James O’Connor’s men 0-9 to 0-8 ahead.
Patrick Curran (five points) and Gavin Crotty (three points) inflicted the damage. Ballygunner didn’t panic and calmly slotted two singles before the break through Pauric Mahony and Brian O’Sullivan.
The second half was utterly absorbing fare. On 45 minutes, Cathal Curran passed to Ryan Donnelly and he slipped a shot past Stephen O’Keeffe at the near post. Patrick Curran was also in the groove and the Blues looked well placed to reach the county final when he sent over a crowd pleasing point to make it 1-12 to 0-12.
Mahony showed tremendous leadership over that final quarter turnaround. The Waterford attacker struck three frees and one from play as the Gunners took command.
Hartley’s gamble on Hogan also paid off when the substitute finished a mazy run. Hearts skipped a beat when Cathal Curran set up Liam Ryan but his shot whizzed just past the right upright.
Scorers for Ballygunner: Pauric Mahony 0-9 (0-8f), Brian O’Sullivan 0-2, Shane Walsh, Barry O’Sullivan, JJ Hutchinson, Stephen Power, Conor Power, Peter Hogan 0-1 each.Scorers for Dungarvan: Patrick Curran 0-8 (5fs), Ryan Donnelly 1-1, Gavin Crotty 0-3.
BALLYGUNNER
1. Stephen O’Keeffe
2. Stephen O’Keeffe
3. Barry Coughlan
4. Alan Kirwan
5. Philip Mahony
6. Wayne Hutchinson
7. Shane Walsh
8. Harley Barnes
9. Shane O’Sullivan
10. Stephen Power
11. Pauric Mahony
12. Barry O’Sullivan
13. JJ Hutchinson
14. Shane O’Sullivan
15. Conor Power
Subs: David Walsh for S Power (H-T), Peter Hogan for Barnes (41).
DUNGARVAN
1. Darren Duggan
2. Aaron Donnelly
3. Kevin Daly
4. Conor Sheridan
5. Darragh Lyons
6. Jamie Nagle
7. Eoin Healy
8. Kenny Moore
9. Colm Curran
10. Ryan Donnelly
11. Cormac Curran
12. Michael Kiely
13. Patrick Curran
14. Gavin Crotty
15. Cathal Curran
Subs: Shane Kearney for Moore (44), Liam Ryan for Cormac Curran (50).
Referee: Michael O’Brien.