Christy O'Connor: Hurt the rocket fuel in supreme Ballygunner’s tank 

After Ballygunner’s eighth Munster final defeat in 2017, who would have put them top of the roll of honour by now?

TOP GUNS: Ballygunner celebrate their latest win. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie

Shortly after the 2017 Munster final defeat to Na Piarsaigh, then Ballygunner manager Fergal Hartley outlined the hurt and devastation within the group and the club at another provincial final defeat. It was Ballygunner’s eighth Munster final defeat, a fourth in 12 years since their solitary success in 2001.

The ambition to add a second title was as strong as ever but serial defeat was making it harder for Ballygunner to believe that it was actually possible. “A Munster championship is what we have been dreaming about for a long time now,” said Hartley. “I suppose after winning four (county) championships you’d be hoping that you’d get Munster success in one of those. A Munster final just seems like a hell of a long way away again now.”