Avenging last year's Munster heartbreak a motivating factor for Ballygunner

Sarsfields manager Johnny Crowley reflected with pride on a three-year journey for this side.

Former Wexford and Kildare football manager Jason Ryan too over from Darragh O'Sullivan as Ballygunner boss this season. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom O'Hanlon

Jason Ryan described his Ballygunner players as “amazing” after reaching an eighth consecutive Munster final.

It will be a first for Ryan after taking over from Darragh O’Sullivan this season, but the former Kildare and Wexford football manager spoke passionately about the longevity of the group and their appetite for success.

“They’re an amazing group of guys, really amazing guys and their families and the way that the club supports and the resources that they put into it, it's very impressive the work that they do to support the guys. The guys back that up by working really hard.” 

Ryan admitted the identity of the opposition in Sarsfields after last year’s provincial final defeat “didn’t hurt” Ballygunner’s motivation.

“We're playing in Waterford, we're really proud Waterford people and want to represent the county. The guys have had a really good record of getting to quite a few Munster finals in a row, they want to keep chasing that.

“They're very proud in the wins that they have had and they want to get back there, they want to get back to Munster finals so regardless who it was going to be today… it certainly didn't hurt the fact that it was against Sarsfields again after last year and the disappointment of the performance. Last year, the start is reflected on but the end of the game was really poor as well, the two of those periods were disappointing for them.” 

Sarsfields manager Johnny Crowley made a point afterwards of embracing full-back Killian Roche, who had a difficult day in an otherwise excellent season for Sarsfields. Two errors led to Ballygunner goals but Roche can look back on a fine year at full-back.

“Killian has been our best player all year long. You know what I mean? Killian has been tasked with all the almost impossible jobs. The Patrick Horgans, the Brian Hayes, the Darren Fitzs, the Deccie Daltons, the Dessie Hutchinsons of this world. Killian is a tremendous guy. He'll always be a huge part of our group.” 

Sarsfields may have lost their Munster crown but he looks back on 2025 with a smile. “I always say any time you win the county senior hurling championship, it's a great year. It's such a hard challenge to win. But we won it. We drew our line through the sand for that and we really did focus on this (game). We really were hell-bent on trying to get through to the Munster final.

“It’s been a great year. It's been a great three years. It's been a fantastic journey with these lads from where they came from to where they are now. I'm very proud of them, and they can be very proud of themselves. They're a credit to the club and a credit to themselves.”