St Thomas' beat Ballygunner on penalties after extra-time epic

It was a game that will live long in the memory in Portlaoise.

SPOT ON: St Thomas’ winning penalty scorer Evan Duggan celebrates after the game. Picture: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

St Thomas’ 1-23 Ballygunner 2-20 (Level AET, St Thomas’ win 4-2 on penalties) 

Eight days before Christmas, Ballygunner were served their first test of the 2023 season. They did not survive it.

Opponents St Thomas’ first brought physicality and chaos. Then they brought a clinical penalty-taking edge. The All-Ireland club favourites dumbfounded and dumped out, it is Thomas’ marching on to a third decider appearance in mid-January.

When the Thomas’ faithful punched the night air in absolute delight at Éanna Burke’s lead score near the end of the 82nd minute, a most famous upset on the club scene appeared complete.

Ballygunner had no interest in another All-Ireland semi-final defeat. They’d no interest in another hard luck story. Substitute Billy O’Keeffe saved them.

Burke’s aforementioned point - to put Thomas’ in front for the first time since the sixth minute of the second-half - was the last in a required three-in-a-row burst at the end of the second period of extra-time. They had first had to save themselves before forcing Ballygunner to do likewise.

Ballygunner, against the elements in the opening extra-time half, were fresher and finishing smarter. Patrick Fitzgerald and two Mahony frees pushed them three in front.

But as was the story before and after, Ballygunner could not keep themselves in front.

To penalties. Conor Cooney, Darragh Burkle, Éanna Burke, and match-winner Evan Duggan beat Stephen O’Keeffe. O’Keeffe was one of the five chosen Ballygunner men. He nailed his penalty. Dessie Hutchinson and Billy O’Keeffe did not.

A glorious contest had finally concluded. Eight days before Christmas, we had been served and spoiled with such absorbing fare.

Thomas’ staying power secured extra-time. From the 36th minute to the seventh minute of injury-time when Johnny Murphy temporarily paused the magnificent mayhem, the six-in-a-row Galway champions never once led. But neither did they ever allow Ballygunner to build an advantage or momentum that they couldn’t contain.

Five times Thomas’ restored parity. Three of those levelling scores came during an absorbing injury-time period.

In just over six additional minutes, we were treated to six points. Stephen O’Keeffe, Dessie Hutchinson, and Conor Sheahan split the posts at one end, Conor Cooney converted three frees at the other.

Two of those frees were won by Fintan Burke. The fiercely strong full-back was pushed out to midfield in the closing stages. On the ground and in the air, this bull could not be tamed or tempered.

With it Ballygunner’s turn to be favoured by the elements for the second period, the favourites had unravelled their opponents’ scoreboard advantage within eight minutes of the restart.

A Pauric Mahony pair sandwiched efforts from Peter Hogan and Patrick Fitzgerald. Ballygunner back in front.

When Mahony converted a 41st minute free for a Ballygunner five-in-a-row, the Waterford and Munster champions were primed and in a perfect position to power on.

But they didn’t. Or, rather, they weren’t let. They only managed two points in the next 19 minutes.

The second half was littered with rucks. The constant piling of bodies on top of possession in no way detracted from proceedings. Instead, the untidiness enhanced and elevated the fare. Enthralling chaos.

St Thomas’ pitched their tent from the throw-in. James Regan clattered into Kevin Mahony, the force of impact forcing the latter to spill possession in front of the main stand.

David Burke may have overcarried from the resulting turnover, but Thomas’ success in drawing a reaction from their opponents saw a Ballygunner free downgraded to a throw ball.

Johnny Murphy rolled the sliotar in and Paddy Leavey wound up on the deck clutching his ankle.

If nothing else, Thomas’ were going to front up.

Their aggressive approach to dealing with the intricacy of Ballygunner’s middle-third passing was to drown it in a sea of physicality and pressure.

On 25 minutes, Ballygunner played one of those delightful and instinctive crossfield balls. Patrick Fitzgerald was the recipient. Shane Cooney floored him with a thumping shoulder. Fitzgerald rose to his feet. He almost slipped inside Cooney and Éanna Burke. It took the pair, with the assistance of David Burke, to eventually win a free out.

The play ended with Darragh Burke pointing. It was one of five successive white flags Thomas’ rose between the 23rd and 29th minute. 1-10 to 2-4 they led.

The setback of Dessie Hutchinson and Patrick Fitzgerald goals inside eight minutes had not deterred them. Their wired energy and strong wind behind them turned the opening half into a difficult assignment for Ballygunner and, for the neutral, hugely enjoyable December fare.

Thomas’ had actually delivered the game’s opening goal. Oisín Flannery fed James Regan as early as the second minute.

Ballygunner’s inside men did what they usually do thereafter. But there was no usual sprinting clear. They were in a battle. They could never wrangle free of that battle.

The seven-week lay off was no issue for the men from Peterswell. They’ll toast this win throughout the Christmas.

Scorers for St Thomas: C Cooney (0-14, 0-13 frees); J Regan (1-1); É Burke (0-3); G Kelly (0-1 free), E Duggan, Darragh Burke, O Flannery, David Burke (0-1 each).

Scorers for Ballygunner: Pauric Mahony (0-7, 0-6 frees); P Fitzgerald, D Hutchinson (1-4 each); S O’Keeffe, C Sheahan, P Leavey, P Hogan, B O’Keeffe (0-1 each).

St Thomas: G Kelly; C Mahony, F Burke, D Sherry; J Headd, S Cooney, C Burke; D Finnerty, David Burke; O Flannery, C Cooney, Darragh Burke; É Burke, J Regan, , V Manso.

Subs: E Duggan for Sherry, D McGlynn for Monso (both 52); B Burke for Darragh Burke (57); E Brady for C Burke (62); Darragh Burke for Flannery, J Headd for C Burke (both start of ET); O Flannery for McGlynn (68); D Sherry for C Burke (72).

Ballygunner: S O’Keeffe; T Foley, B Coughlan, I Kenny; S O’Sullivan, Philip Mahony, R Power; C Sheahan, P Leavey; P Hogan, Pauric Mahony, M Mahony; P Fitzgerald, K Mahony, D Hutchinson.

Subs: H Ruddle for P Fitzgerald (74); C Power for Hogan (75); B O’Keeffe for Sheahan (78).

Referee: J Murphy (Limerick).