Lapses in concentration see Gunners crash out

Yet another twist in one of the most unpredictable club championships in many a year unfolded at Walsh Park on Sunday afternoon. A lot of head scratching will be done among the Ballygunner ranks after letting a seven point lead slip with 18 minutes left to eventually lose by six. On three separate occasions a member of the defence turned over possession cheaply which led to major consequences.

15/8 outsiders Na Piarsaigh, inspired by Shane Dowling, needed no second invitation and clinically dispatched their three goal opportunities. After waiting in the wings for six weeks many predicted that the newly crowned Limerick champions would be satisfied with their lot. As manager Sean Stack remarked after the game “that was a load of baloney”.

Before Dowling stepped up to a free on 42 minutes however, all seemed rosy for the favourites. Playing with first use of a healthy breeze, the Gunners used their short game effectively to pick out their men and deservedly built up a six point lead which stretched to seven after half time. Wayne Hutchinson dictated matters in a dominant half back line, Shane O’Sullivan conducted in attack while Pauric Mahony converted every placed ball opportunity available. Na Piarsaigh went into damage limitation mode for the first thirty minutes withdrawing Alan Dempsey as a sweeper and trailed by six at the break. They failed to use the strong wind to their advantage on the resumption with Kevin Downes and David Breen also struggling to impact the pattern of play. Added to that Dowling uncharacteristically sent three frees wide of the posts.

Then the 18 year stepped up to split the posts with an effort from his own 65 metre line. Two minutes later he nailed another free this time from halfway between his own 65 and 45. After enduring a mixed afternoon up to that point Dowling exploded into life and this inspired those around him. Their hosts also aided the recovery mission with three unforced errors. Firstly goalkeeper Stephen O’Keeffe let the sliotar slip from his grasp and Dowling pounced to ripple the net. Then Wayne Hutchinson misplaced his hand pass, his first mistake all afternoon, and Kevin Ryan picked up the pieces to set up Dowling once more. 2-3 in less than ten minutes for the man in the green helmet gave Na Piarsaigh the momentum required as the Gunners appeared stunned by this unlikely blitz. Another mix up between Hutchinson and Barry Coughlan allowed David Breen to capitalise and book their final spot on November 27.

Ballygunner boss Niall O’Donnell conceded that those self inflicted wounds ultimately proved their undoing. “There was a few small mistakes made and nobody goes out to make mistakes but we were really punished out there today. They got three goals out of what I would say were positions where we were in control of the ball and we lost it.” Their failure to score a goal for the first time in a championship game this season also counted against them. Nine wides and only two second half points highlight a disappointing return up front. A first Munster championship home defeat since 1995 will take a while to swallow.

So it’s Na Piarsaigh versus Crusheen in two weeks time with a maiden provincial crown up for grabs. On yesterday’s evidence the adventure could yet continue a while longer for the Limerick side and Sean Stack certainly believes his young charges possess the necessary spirit and unity to pull it off. “You should have seen these guys back in the ocean a few weeks ago on a horrendous Saturday morning and you would know there was something special happening.”

Championship full of promise and possibility for Ballygunner

Na Piarsaigh land in Walsh Park on Sunday for their maiden voyage in the Munster championship bristling with youth and a sense of adventure. Their opponents on the other hand, know this path well at this stage and approach the game fully focussed on achieving their goal of reaching the decider on November 27. The fulfilment of a Waterford championship no longer satisfies the appetite.

Ballygunner must recognise the opportunity that this year’s club championship presents. Putting away Drom and Inch with their best performance of the campaign in Semple Stadium a fortnight ago should set them up well for the obstacles ahead while the tally of 16 wides keeps them on their toes. In every line of the field an inter county name pops up and that wealth of experience counts for a lot in this competition. The emergence of Philip Mahony and Wayne Hutchinson to jointly fill the void of Fergal Hartley also offers reasons for encouragement. The abilities of Pauric Mahony and Brian O’Sullivan up front are well flagged at this stage but the input supplied by unsung heroes Stephen Power and Barry O’Sullivan recently become just as crucial.

Kevin Downes and Shane Dowling lead the line for the Limerick champions on Sunday accompanied by the older hands of Shane O’Neill and David Breen.
In defence Kieran Bermingham captains the team from corner back with underage stars Alan Dempsey and James O’Brien in the half back line. Six of the team also played in the epic Munster under 21 final against Cork at the Gaelic Grounds this year. They comfortably accounted for Ahane in the county final but that was played back on October 3.

With Crusheen and Carrigtwohill waiting on the other side of the draw, the Gunners should have little to fear and this is reflected in their status as favourites for provincial honours. The contrast in experience is sharp. The Gunners have appeared in seven Munster finals down the years while the three other contenders for the crown are without a win in the competition. After watching De La Salle capture two titles in quick succession, they will be eager to add to their 2001 victory over Blackrock.

Looking outside of the Munster scene, remarkably none of the remaining clubs have tasted All Ireland glory. With the Galway championship secured, Gort head the betting at 9/4 at this moment in time. In Leinster, Oulart the Ballagh’s disposal of James Stephens last weekend marks them out as favourites in the province. Ballyboden will still need to be negotiated however and despite the loss of Conal Keaney and Stephen Hiney, they appear determined to build on their dominance in the capital.

The heavyweight presence of Ballyhale Shamrocks, Newtownshandrum and Portumna is missing from this year’s competition and with that the door opens for one team to grasp the nettle similar to Clarinbridge and lift the Tommy Moore cup for the first time on March 17. Na Piarsaigh possess enough ammunition to upset the Gunners’ plans this Sunday but the men in red and black can call upon sufficient talent of their own in all departments to stifle the likes of Downes and stay on course.

Take three at Carriganore in junior hurling saga

During the second half of last Saturday’s replayed junior final Butlerstown midfielder Pat Matthews stayed down for treatment. In a game played at a high intensity a pause for breath was no harm at that stage. A shaken Matthews returned to his feet and referee resumed the action. Seconds later the number 17 chased down a 60-40 ball near the sideline in favour of his Ballinameela opponent. He threw himself head first into the challenge and into the line of fire to retrieve possession for his side.

That summed up everything you needed to know about this fascinating duel that will see a second replay take place on Saturday afternoon. Every clean strike of the sliotar has been hard earned over the last two weekends but despite the competitive and close exchanges, sportsmanship has prevailed throughout. Four points stands as the biggest lead for either side over the 153 minutes of hurling so far. Behind the score lines of 0-8 to 2-2 on day one and 2-14 apiece after extra time last time out, a number of different stories stand out and none more so than that of Butlerstown goalkeeper Ryan Butler.

In the Eastern final, Butlerstown started with Eric Power between the sticks and Butler on the bench. When introduced in the forward line, the youngster contributed 1-3 in a six point win over Kill. For the county final however trainer Ray Barry, former Waterford goalkeeper, opted for Butler in the number one shirt. With experience of the position garnered at underage, Butler blossomed in the role. On the first day out not only did he convert the equalising 65 in stoppage time but he also pulled off two stunning stops in the first half. The second of those would make an impression in any grade. From 21 metres out Brendan Phelan tried his luck with a powerful ground stroke that seemed destined for the top corner before Butler flung himself full length to somehow keep it out. Along with his shot stopping and accuracy, his booming puck outs put his side on the front foot. Last Saturday Butler finished with four long distance placed balls beside his name, three frees and one 65. Along with Butler, centre back and county minor Jim Power has proved a rock of consistency. After only striking four scores first time around, Butlerstown saw a significant improvement in that sector six days later led by Richie Barron and Tyrone Costello.

In the Ballinameela ranks their defensive unit has stood up on both days. The left flank of the defence containing Aiden Browne and Colin Walsh shone in the first drawn game. Last weekend full back Eamonn Walsh, more known for his football skills, gave a tour de force with John Harrington also coming to the fore. Jim Curran’s 14 point haul over two weekends with capable support from Brendan Phelan also gives them an edge in attack. Away from the hustle and bustle, midfielder David Phelan was forced to sit out the replay after sustaining a knee injury. He picked up the knock during the match but opted to play on and offers another example of the bravery shown in this clash. His midfield colleague Tom Curran put such energy into the replay that he needed to carried off with cramp deep into extra time.

On the last two weekends Ballinameela will feel that the chance has slipped through their fingers with Ryan Butler equalising the first day out and Jim Curran missing a 65’ last Saturday. Provided that they can maintain their defensive stability and both Brendan Phelan and Jim Curran continue to deliver the Western side can emerge successful from this stirring trilogy despite the abilities of Butler and company.