Reeling in the finals – SHC Deciders 2000-2012

Runaway train - Mount Sion 1-20 Ballygunner 0-9, 2000
Sion avenged the defeat from the previous year in some style. Playing in a loosely defined wing forward role, Tony Browne scored 1-7 (1-3 from play). Eight up at halfway, Sion were well on their way. Anthony Kirwan also threw in five points as they steamed ahead.

Gunners goal rush - Ballygunner 4-12 Lismore 1-16, 2001
A near miss for the Cathedral town. Lismore sprung from the traps to lead by five early doors and entering the final quarter, they clung to a three point advantage. Paul Flynn didn’t start due to a hand injury but was called into action during the first half and posted 1-2. Billy O’Sullivan, Darragh O’Sullivan and Andy Moloney supplied the other goals. The start of a mazy run to Munster glory for the Gunners.

Greene’s gamble – Mount Sion 1-19 Ballygunner 2-14, 2002
Mount Sion manager Jim Greene dropped long serving net minder Philly Flynn for the 2002 county final and plumped for nineteen year old Ian O’Regan instead. The team was named ten days in advance to give the new number one a chance to prepare. The debutant duly obliged and Ken McGrath pocketed eleven points.

Leave it to Flynner – Mount Sion 1-14 Ballygunner 2-11, 2003
With the last act, Paul Flynn’s 21 metre piledriver cut through the eight man Mount Sion wall and it was time to take two. He scored 2-6 and shouldered the burden of responsibility all afternoon. A nine point showing from Eoin Kelly seemed sufficient for Sion before Flynn’s intervention.

Browne brilliance - Mount Sion 1-14 Ballygunner 1-10, 2003
In those almost annual showdowns at the city venue, Tony Browne and Fergal Hartley brought a sense of style to their defensive work. This replay belonged to Browne. “Time and time again he broke the hearts of the Ballygunner forwards with his huge clearances,” said Jim Greene in the aftermath. Despite leading by two at half time, Ballygunner collapsed on the restart and Eoin McGrath nabbed a vital goal.

Browne weathers the storm - Mount Sion 4-14 Ballygunner 4-7, 2004
A cloud hung over the contest as a controversial semi final between Ballygunner and Lismore saw Paul Flynn suspended for the showpiece. The Gunners still shook the cage of their rivals through goals from Paul Foley, Andy Moloney, Colin Kehoe and Tommy Power. Their hopes perished on Tony Browne at centre back who pulled Sion into shape. Green flags from Ken McGrath, Eoin Kelly, Sean Ryan along with a speculative  Browne effort evaded an unlikely slip-up.

Last gasp Gunners - Ballygunner 2-10 De La Salle 1-12, 2005
On the backfoot in the closing minutes, Paul Flynn swung a glorious winner over his shoulder to dampen De La Salle’s dreams. Salle were well in the running despite shipping first half blows to Tommy Power and Gearoid O’Connor. The more experienced side survived in unpleasant conditions.

Cast adrift – Mount Sion 2-13 Ballygunner 0-12, 2006
The unusual surroundings of Fraher Field for this latest renewal led to an unusual atmosphere. Michael White and Sean Ryan grabbed the goals for Sion while Ken and Eoin McGrath took care of nine points between them. A fifth title in six years ain’t bad.

Red alert – Ballyduff Upper 1-18 Ballygunner 1-14, 2007
“We were relegated three years ago and now here we are as county champions. Every club in the county will take encouragement from that.” A jubilant Ballyduff  Maurice Geary summed up succinctly an emotional afternoon for the underdogs. They took up the early running and six points from stick of Jamie Kearney allowed the Red army to scale the mountain for the first time in twenty years.

Splashworld – De La Salle 0-11 Abbeyside 0-9, 2008
With muck and dirt flying, De La Salle dug out a breakthrough triumph. They made better use of the elements and stormed six in front by the break. Brian Phelan was brilliant with their backs to the wall as Abbeyside attempted to cut their own slice of history.

Maurice magic not sufficient - Ballygunner 4-12 Lismore 2-18, 2009
A topsy turvy thriller. Lismore simply couldn’t shake their opponents despite going ten clear at one point. Stephen O’Keeffe and Paudie Prendergast bagged first half goals as they retired 2-9 to 1-6 in front at the short whistle. Maurice Shanahan sparkled with eleven points. Three second half majors from Gearoid O’Connor, Pauric Mahony and Shane O’Sullivan recovered a replay.

Moloney out on his own – Ballygunner 1-17 Lismore 0-19, 2009
Andy Moloney emerged out of the blue to clear up the replay. He received oceans of space at wing forward and popped over five points from play. Maurice Shanahan ended on the losing side despite scoring 21 points over two weekends.

 

Salle turn the tables – De La Salle 3-13 Ballygunner 1-11, 2010
“I think we’ve finally got the respect we deserve,” stated a satisfied John Mullane afterwards. After suffering a 15 point embarrassment to the same opponents in the group stages, Michael Ryan’s side turned their season upside down. A Paudi Nevin brace, one from Dean Twomey and a man of the match display from Stephen Daniels wiped out Ballygunner well before the end.

Boys are back in town – Ballygunner 1-19 Tallow 0-6, 2011
As soon as Harley Barnes shook the net, Tallow’s fairytale story was flung into the fire. The Bridesiders emerged from the Western section as they defeated Lismore and Ballyduff Upper in the knockout rounds. A new look Gunners outfit shaded an ill tempered semi final with De La Salle  however and capitalised on county final day. Pauric Mahony’s rhythmic free taking and a colossal show of number six play from Wayne Hutchinson led a rout.

Three is the magic number – De La Salle 1-21 Dungarvan 0-12, 2012
Salle’s third title in five years was on the cards as early as the third minute when John Mullane crafted a goal chance which Jake Dillon slotted. A few words of wisdom from Liam Sheedy in the week preceding the final also sharpened the minds. Winning manager Derek McGrath felt the weight of arriving as resounding favourites. “I’m absolutely thrilled, relieved really. I suppose to be installed as huge favourites at the start of the championship and then to kind of live with that tag and deliver on it.