Not too many teams will live with Na Piarsaigh

I took my place in the Ryan Stand in Thurles yesterday just as the teams were being announced and the news was breaking Kevin Downes was not playing for Na Piarsaigh. With David Breen also not listed in the programme, there was a sense the books were being balanced with the two Mahonys also out for Ballygunner. 

As the first-half wore on, that’s exactly how this game looked set to pan out – nothing between the teams.

It’s amazing though, how much of a factor mindset can be in these games, especially at this time of the year. Just before half-time, Na Piarsaigh were lax in their set-up around a sideline ball and it allowed Ballygunner take it quickly and set up the point that put them three up at the break. It almost typified where Na Piarsaigh’s heads were at but once they switched on after the break, they were a different animal.