Philip Mahony: ‘We’ve had to do it the hard way with the teams we’ve beaten’

 It was often the case that a provincial title bookended the calendar year, but you won’t hear Mahony complaining about more hurling on Saturday or Sunday week.

BROTHERS IN ARMS: Ballygunner's Dessie Hutchinson celebrates with Pauric Mahony and Philip Mahony

In time, Ballygunner will engorge themselves on becoming the first team in 23 years to retain a Munster senior club hurling title.

But a forthcoming All-Ireland semi-final battle with Ballyhale Shamrocks means the celebrations were shortlived.