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.