Ballygunner make it 69 not out - but not without a Waterford SHC scare

Reigning All-Ireland champions given a serious test by a 14-man Abbeyside-Ballinacourty side Sunday in a game that never allowed them to pull clear until the closing minutes

After a scramble for possession in the Fourmilewater penalty area Dungarvans Johnny Burke (No.14) manages to stroke the ball into the net. Pic: Eddie Dee

Ballygunner made it 69 championship games unbeaten in Waterford, but they were given a serious test by a 14-man Abbeyside-Ballinacourty side Sunday in a game that never allowed them to pull clear until the closing minutes. 

The sides were level ten times across a hard-fought, physical contest, with Eoin Kiely leading the Abbeyside charge and finishing with 0-12 points, nine from frees. The first half was tight throughout, and although Willie Beresford’s red card on 28 minutes looked a major blow, Abbeyside responded well to trail just 0-9 to 0-8 at the break.