‘This wasn’t too bad for a team we are told is still in transition’

ANOTHER Waterford SHC title for Ballygunner but for most in the club this success was extra special.

The famed club, who collected their 11th crown on Saturday, had been written off by many this season and club chairman Pat O’Sullivan was aware of the perception which surrounded the side during the campaign.

“This wasn’t too bad for a team we are told is still in transition,’’ he said with a smile afterwards.

Captain Alan Kirwan concurred: “Not too many people gave us a serious chance of going all the way when the campaign commenced. There is a great sense of achievement about this one. Even when Lismore thundered back at us after our flying start we stood our ground and responded in the way that a good side does.’’

Man-of-the-match Andy Moloney, who failed to score in the draw, hit five superb points from play to power his side to victory. “Some days the ball will go where you are trying to direct it to go,” he said modestly.“ Today was one of those better days.”

The dejection in the Lismore dressing room was in stark contrast to the celebrations of the new champions. Team manager Michael “Ducky’’Ormonde made no attempt to conceal their disappointment, believing that over the course of the two games they had left the title behind them.