Fourteen man Ballygunner encountered some turbulence against old rivals Lismore at a sunny Walsh Park but a polished second half showing of 2-14 guaranteed a semi final spot. They ran out 3-20 to 2-12 victors and will clash with Dungarvan in the final four next Sunday at Fraher Field.
Manager Fergal Hartley believes that there is more in reserve. “There’s a hell of a lot of areas for us to improve on. Overall as a performance, I wouldn’t be overly happy. There’s a lot of things we could do better. That performance wouldn’t be good enough to win a county semi final.” Pauric Mahony (ten points) and JJ Hutchinson (1-3) reacted quickest to the danger for the Gunners when Paul Coughlan saw red early in the second period.
The sides departed on level terms at halfway (1-6 apiece). The game started in cagey fashion but exploded into life during the second quarter. On 21 minutes, Brian O’Sullivan played a delightful crossfield pass to Stephen Power and he located the top corner. Lismore rebounded from that blow three minutes later. Paudie Coleman crossed and Dan Shanahan scrambled home when the ball fell to the deck.
Ballygunner re-emerged quickly in the second period. Shane O’Sullivan charged through the centre on 32 minutes and laid off for half time substitute JJ Hutchinson to double in the air and give Seanie Barry no chance (2-7 to 1-6). That early exuberance was punctured somewhat when another substitute Paul Coughlan received his marching orders for an off the ball offence.
Shane O’Sullivan got a handle at midfield for the fourteen men and they put together four points on the trot. Harley Barnes clinched the contest when he stroked to the far corner with eight minutes left. Brian Bennett whipped in a Lismore consolation goal.
In the opener, Martin O’Neill rattled off twelve points as a second half flurry from Mount Sion overpowered Abbeyside (1-21 to 0-15). The Waterford panellist suffered an injury interrupted 2013 but Anthony Kirwan was thrilled to see the dead ball specialist back in full flight. “We always knew that Martin has that. It’s been a tough year for him and he’s gradually coming back and getting better and better. Fair dues to him.”
After conceding four goals to Dungarvan in their last group game, moving Austin Gleeson to number six shored up the defensive unit. “Together as a group, in terms of the team and the management, we had to sit down and look at ourselves and see exactly what had to be done. In fairness to the lads, they reacted.”
Against the breeze at first, an early net finder settled Sion into proceedings. On two minutes, Martin O’Neill’s delivery broke favourably for Richie Roche to rustle the rigging. Mark Ferncombe earned a penalty on ten minutes but his tame effort was stopped and Mount Sion went up the other end for Gavin Carroll to put them five points up. Richie Foley rebooted Abbeyside from centre back and he popped up with four first half points, including three huge frees. Eoin McGrath snuck Sion 1-7 to 0-9 ahead at half time.
Anthony Kirwan’s side stepped on the gas after the break. They picked off three snappy points and then Ian O’Regan made a point blank save from substitute Mark Fives. O’Neill took over at midfield and piled on nine second half singles. Austin Gleeson and Owen Whelan also made their presence felt in a dominant half back division. Gary Hurney was dismissed in injury time for a second bookable offence. The Monastery men tackle De La Salle next Saturday at the city venue.
SHC Semi Finals
Saturday 20 September
De La Salle v Mount Sion (5.30 at Walsh Park)
Sunday 21 September
Dungarvan v Ballygunner (6.15 at Fraher Field)
Manager Fergal Hartley believes that there is more in reserve. “There’s a hell of a lot of areas for us to improve on. Overall as a performance, I wouldn’t be overly happy. There’s a lot of things we could do better. That performance wouldn’t be good enough to win a county semi final.” Pauric Mahony (ten points) and JJ Hutchinson (1-3) reacted quickest to the danger for the Gunners when Paul Coughlan saw red early in the second period.
The sides departed on level terms at halfway (1-6 apiece). The game started in cagey fashion but exploded into life during the second quarter. On 21 minutes, Brian O’Sullivan played a delightful crossfield pass to Stephen Power and he located the top corner. Lismore rebounded from that blow three minutes later. Paudie Coleman crossed and Dan Shanahan scrambled home when the ball fell to the deck.
Ballygunner re-emerged quickly in the second period. Shane O’Sullivan charged through the centre on 32 minutes and laid off for half time substitute JJ Hutchinson to double in the air and give Seanie Barry no chance (2-7 to 1-6). That early exuberance was punctured somewhat when another substitute Paul Coughlan received his marching orders for an off the ball offence.
Shane O’Sullivan got a handle at midfield for the fourteen men and they put together four points on the trot. Harley Barnes clinched the contest when he stroked to the far corner with eight minutes left. Brian Bennett whipped in a Lismore consolation goal.
In the opener, Martin O’Neill rattled off twelve points as a second half flurry from Mount Sion overpowered Abbeyside (1-21 to 0-15). The Waterford panellist suffered an injury interrupted 2013 but Anthony Kirwan was thrilled to see the dead ball specialist back in full flight. “We always knew that Martin has that. It’s been a tough year for him and he’s gradually coming back and getting better and better. Fair dues to him.”
After conceding four goals to Dungarvan in their last group game, moving Austin Gleeson to number six shored up the defensive unit. “Together as a group, in terms of the team and the management, we had to sit down and look at ourselves and see exactly what had to be done. In fairness to the lads, they reacted.”
Against the breeze at first, an early net finder settled Sion into proceedings. On two minutes, Martin O’Neill’s delivery broke favourably for Richie Roche to rustle the rigging. Mark Ferncombe earned a penalty on ten minutes but his tame effort was stopped and Mount Sion went up the other end for Gavin Carroll to put them five points up. Richie Foley rebooted Abbeyside from centre back and he popped up with four first half points, including three huge frees. Eoin McGrath snuck Sion 1-7 to 0-9 ahead at half time.
Anthony Kirwan’s side stepped on the gas after the break. They picked off three snappy points and then Ian O’Regan made a point blank save from substitute Mark Fives. O’Neill took over at midfield and piled on nine second half singles. Austin Gleeson and Owen Whelan also made their presence felt in a dominant half back division. Gary Hurney was dismissed in injury time for a second bookable offence. The Monastery men tackle De La Salle next Saturday at the city venue.
SHC Semi Finals
Saturday 20 September
De La Salle v Mount Sion (5.30 at Walsh Park)
Sunday 21 September
Dungarvan v Ballygunner (6.15 at Fraher Field)
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