Ballygunner extend unbeaten Waterford SHC run to incredible 68 games

To cap a noteworthy weekend, Ballygunner's second team also claimed their first senior championship point after producing a stirring comeback to draw with Dungarvan

THE RUN CONTINUES: Ballygunner manager Jason Ryan, celebrates with Michael Mahony and Philip Mahony after their All-Ireland Club SHC success last January - their unbeaten championship run continues into another season. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

All-Ireland champions Ballygunner extended their remarkable unbeaten run in Waterford to 68 games with another emphatic display, easing past De La Salle 1-27 to 0-18 in Waterford's SHC Group A at Azzurri Walsh Park.

Inspired by Jack Twomey’s outstanding 0-6 from play, De La Salle matched the champions for much of the opening half and led on several occasions. However, Ballygunner took control when Conor Tobin burst clear and fired to the net after 16 minutes.

Holding a 1-11 to 0-12 interval advantage, Jason Ryan’s side completely dominated the third quarter, outscoring De La Salle by ten points to one. Kevin Mahony and Mikey Mahony both finished with 0-4, while Mark Hartley added 0-3 as Ballygunner surged into an unassailable lead, underlining once again why they remain the team to beat.

Roanmore moved to the top of Group B with a convincing 0-20 to 0-12 victory over rivals Mount Sion, gaining revenge for last year’s semi-final defeat.

Playing with the aid of a strong breeze, the Sky Blues seized control early, hitting seven unanswered points between the fifth and 15th minutes through Gavin O’Brien (3), Billy Nolan, Dean Walsh, Lee Hearne and Sean Roche to open a 0-9 to 0-2 lead. Mount Sion, without Austin Gleeson, recovered to trail just 0-10 to 0-6 at half-time but failed to capitalise on the breeze after the restart.

Their challenge effectively ended on 38 minutes when substitute Ben Frisby received a straight red card from referee Nicky Barry following an off-the-ball incident with Nolan. Roanmore controlled proceedings from then on, with O’Brien finishing superbly on 0-10 while the winners also had ten other scorers in an impressive derby victory.

Fourmilewater maintained their perfect start in Group B with a dominant 5-19 to 0-19 win over Lismore in Cappoquin, inspired by Aaron Ryan’s 2-11.

Ryan contributed 2-4 from play, while Sean Walsh struck 2-2 and Michael Morrissey also found the net. The contest remained evenly balanced until Ryan struck twice in quick succession approaching half-time, first finishing clinically before a second effort slipped beneath Lismore goalkeeper Seanie Barry. Walsh then chased down a seemingly lost cause to score a third goal in first-half stoppage time, giving Fourmilewater a commanding 3-11 to 0-15 lead.

Lismore managed just four more scores after the interval as Fourmilewater cruised home. Walsh brilliantly kept the ball in play before netting again on 52 minutes, while substitute Morrissey rounded off an outstanding team display by racing through to finish confidently into the bottom corner.

Abbeyside also made it two wins from two in Group A after defeating Ferrybank 3-23 to 3-13 at Fraher Field.

The game was effectively decided during a devastating opening eight minutes. Neil Montgomery burst through for the opening goal before a dangerous Rian Walsh delivery deceived everyone and finished in the net to leave Abbeyside leading 2-9 to 1-0. Ferrybank’s only response during that spell came through a Ruaidhrí McGarrity goal. Abbeyside held a 2-14 to 2-5 lead at half-time despite McGarrity adding his second major.

Charlie Treen produced a superb display, finishing with 1-7 from play, including an excellent 53rd-minute goal after a precise pass from Walsh. McGarrity completed his hat-trick and Mark O’Brien finished with 11 points, but Abbeyside’s explosive start ensured they were never seriously troubled.

In Group B, Ballygunner ‘B’ claimed their first senior championship point after producing a stirring comeback to draw 0-21 apiece with Dungarvan despite trailing by eight points early in the second half.

Dungarvan controlled the opening period and led 0-14 to 0-8 at the break, with teenager Ryan McGovern starring on his way to 0-10. Ballygunner ‘B’ responded impressively after half-time as Jake Foley, Billy O’Keeffe and Scott Fleming helped cut the deficit. McGovern restored a six-point cushion with seven minutes remaining, but Ballygunner rallied with five unanswered scores from five different players.

McGovern added two late points around a Gavin Corbett score to leave Dungarvan two ahead entering stoppage time. Corbett, who finished with 0-6, first converted a free before levelling with the final puck of the game to earn Ballygunner ‘B’ a deserved share of the spoils.

On Friday night in Group A, Passage came from behind to defeat Clonea 2-19 to 0-23 at Walsh Park.

Rory Jacob’s early goal gave Passage the perfect start before Clonea, led by Francis Roche and Gearoid Power, responded strongly. Dale Cullinane’s 23rd-minute goal reduced the gap to one, but Clonea still led 0-15 to 2-6 at half-time and stretched six points clear after the restart.

Passage gradually fought back through a series of superb scores from Mark Fitzgerald, who finished with 0-6 from play. Jacob levelled on 53 minutes before Fitzgerald and Tom Carey edged Passage ahead. Clonea created late opportunities to rescue the game, but Billy Power’s final effort was heroically blocked on the line to seal an impressive comeback victory for Passage.