Ballygunner into Munster SHC final after 10 point win over ...

A 1-6 blitz in the closing stages of the first-half to go 10 points ahead at the break – 1-15 to 0-8 – set them on their way to a comprehensive victory in front of a 2,221 Walsh Park crowd.

Loughmore-Castleiney had been competitive for two-thirds of the opening half but weren’t a match for the remainder. Ballygunner’s back-line were resolute. Conor Sheahan was a standout performer in midfield and the movement of their attack was unrelenting.

Resembling nothing like the semi-final battle of Fraher Field three years ago, the gap was as wide as 13 points by the 41st minute as the game as a contest petered out in the final quarter. A Ciarán McCormack 65 ended up in Stephen O’Keeffe’s net but it was a rare highlight for a beaten Loughmore-Castleiney side.

Ballygunner finished the first half with five yellow cards and Peter Hogan was slightly fortunate not to see red for lashing out but their conclusion to the half was breathtaking. Loughmore-Castleiney had been keeping in touch and were a point behind in the 27th minute before the Munster champions turned nitro, scoring 1-6 without reply.

Pauric Mahony, ever the outlet, sniped a couple of points and Dessie Hutchinson followed him with his first. A foul on his brother Kevin was penalised by Pauric Mahony and then another sibling Mikey opened his account.

Peter Hogan’s third point of the afternoon opened a seven-point before the goal came in the fourth minute of additional time. Hutchinson sent a ball over his shoulder into the corner where Patrick Fitzgerald collected and sent the ball across for Kevin Mahony to plunder a major.

Loughmore-Castleiney were in desperate need of the break having performed well against the breeze. They relied on frees more than Ballygunner but Tadhg Foley was having a trying time against John McGrath and he had a booking for a foul on Ed Connolly and another foul to his name by the break.

Hogan, having picked off two fine points in the first 10 minutes, retaliated with a swing back against Ed Meagher in the 21st minute. After a long consultation with his linesman, referee Ciarán O’Regan chose to book both men.

Ballygunner rattled into the game with three of the first four scores, two of them from play. Ciarán Connolly had the game tied by the sixth minute before Ballygunner strung together another hat-trick of points.

Loughmore-Castleiney were counting their blessings that Hutchinson’s shot having blocked down goalkeeper Aidan McGrath in the 10th minute. Twice, the Tipperary winners sliced the margin to two minutes but O’Keeffe landed a monster score to restore Ballygunner’s three-point advantage in the 15th minute.

Back-to-back John McGrath frees for fouls committed by Foley had Loughmore-Castleiney breathing down their opponents’ necks again only for Ballygunner to go into overdrive.

Scorers for Ballygunner: Pauric Mahony (0-9, 4 frees); K. Mahony (1-3); P. Hogan, D. Hutchinson (1 65) (0-4 each); C. Power (0-2); S. O’Keeffe, C. Sheahan, M. Mahony, P. Fitzgerald (0-1 each).

Scorers for Loughmore-Castleiney: J. McGrath (0-9, 7 frees, 1 65); C. McCormack (1-0); C. Connolly (0-2); E. Meagher, J. Ryan, J. Meagher, N. McGrath (free), L. Treacy (0-1 each).

BALLYGUNNER: S. O’Keeffe; I. Kenny, B. Coughlan, T. Foley; H. Ruddle, Philip Mahony, R. Power; C. Sheahan (j-c), P. Leavey; Pauric Mahony (j-c), K. Mahony, P. Hogan; P. Fitzgerald, D. Hutchinson, M. Mahony.

Subs: C. Power for P. Fitzgerald (48); S. O’Sullivan for P. Hogan (53); C. Tobin for M. Mahony (57); A. O’Neill for T. Foley, J. Foley for Pauric Mahony (both 58).

LOUGHMORE-CASTLEINEY: A. McGrath; E. O’Connell, L. Egan, W. Eviston; J. Ryan, B. McGrath, E. Meagher; N. McGrath, C. Connolly; E. Connolly, T. McGrath, T. Maher; J. McGrath, C. McGrath, L. McGrath.

Subs: C. McCormack for T. Maher, J. Meagher for E. O’Connell (both h-t); P. McCahey for E. Connolly (45); L. Treacy for C. McGrath (46); D. McCahey for J. Ryan (53).

Referee: C. O’Regan (Cork).