Mahony's 13 points keep Gunners on track for eleven Waterford titles in a row
Waterford GAA Senior Hurling Championships semi-final: Ballygunner v Passage at Walsh Park, Waterford City.. Pictured are Ballygunner Patrick Fitzgerald and Passage Eoin Walsh & Callum O'Neill. Photograph: Patrick Browne
BALLYGUNNER weren't at their best in Sunday's second Waterford SHC semi final but 13 Pauric Mahony points (nine in the second half) saw them overcome a plucky Passage and set up a decider against Abbeyside next Sunday at 2.30 in Fraher Field. It's a repeat of the 2018 final.
The holders only led by four points at half time after playing with a stiff breeze. Their shot selection and accuracy improved on the restart however. Against the elements, the men in red and black outscored their opponents 13-8.
"Our execution wasn't as good as what we would have hoped," is how Gunners boss Darragh O'Sullivan described their first half efforts. "The second half performance was really good. We were asked questions. We were four up at half time and won the game by nine against a strong wind. Our composure in the second half was excellent."
Fifty seven matches unbeaten on Déise soil but that display won't suffice next weekend. "Listen, we're going to need our best performance. They're coming. We played them last year and we had a tough day against them. We got on top in the end but the two best teams are in the county final in my opinion."
He has no issue with the final being played in Dungarvan. "Absolutely not. That's the way it is, alternative years. We've played plenty of county finals in Fraher Field. Look, they deserve their day in the sun."
Passage goalkeeper Eddy Lynch made two point blank saves from Pauric Mahony and Patrick Fitzgerald to keep his team in the contest. Tight marking full back Callum O'Neill held Kevin Mahony to a point while county defender Mark Fitzgerald shielded his full back line. Teenager Thomas Carey landed eight points as he completed the championship with 0-42 to his credit.
Passage got two early scares as Dessie Hutchinson flashed a ball left and wide and Patrick Fitzgerald blasted another goal chance over the bar. A below par Ballygunner were guilty of seven wides with wind assistance. Five Thomas Carey points, including a beauty in front of the stand, saw Passage stay in the hunt. Eddy Lynch saved from Pauric Mahony three minutes into injury time. Mahony nailed two dead balls at the end of a dour half as the champions went in 9-5 ahead.
Darragh O'Sullivan was red carded by referee Nicky O'Toole as the teams walked towards the dressing rooms. The Gunners went up a gear as Hutchinson hit two points at the start of the second period. Gary Cullinane delivered a massive score at the other end but Passage couldn't take advantage of the strong wind. Ballygunner carried more punch up front as Pauric Mahony found pockets of space and produced nine points (five frees and four from play).
Entering the last quarter, Gunners defender Sean Harney made a goalsaving block on Mikey Cummins. Five minutes from time, Fitzgerald raced through on goal but Lynch stood up to the fierce shot.
Pauric Mahony (0-13, 8fs, 1 65), P Fitzgerald (0-3), D Hutchinson (0-2), C Sheahan, P Leavey, C Power, K Mahony (0-1 each).
T Carey (0-8, 6fs, 1 65), G Cullinane, M Cummins, M Fitzgerald, E Reilly, S Kelly (0-1 each).
: S O'Keeffe; I Kenny, B Coughlan, T Foley; S Harney, Philip Mahony, R Power; C Sheahan, P Leavey; P Hogan, Pauric Mahony, C Power; D Hutchinson, K Mahony, P Fitzgerald.
: M Mahony for Pauric Mahony (Blood, 29-30), M Mahony for C Power (45), C Tobin for K Mahony (54), H Ruddle for Foley (Blood, 57-58), H Ruddle for Sheahan (59), B O'Keeffe for Pauric Mahony (62).
: E Lynch; Ciaran O'Neill, Callum O'Neill, E Walsh; G Cullinane, M Fitzgerald, M Hutchinson; D Lynch, T Carey; S Lynch, P Walsh, M Cummins; E Reilly, L Flynn, S Kelly.
: O Connors for P Walsh (43), D Roche for Cummins (46), D Cullinane for Flynn (55), S Cullinane for Hutchinson (60).
: N O'Toole.
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