Resolute Newtown turn tide
And it proved a real test of resolve for Newtownshandrum also, taken to the brink by a resurgent Ballygunner team that only came to life in the final quarter.
Having won the toss the Gunners opted to play with the strong wind, but, in the first three quarters, looked a pale shadow of the side that had chiselled out a Waterford title just six weeks ago. Against a well-oiled Newtown side that was firing on every cylinder, Ballygunner trailed at the break by six points, 1-7 to 0-4, and their situation had worsened 14 minutes into the second half, as the deficit had stretched to ten, 2-9 to 0-5.
