'A fight to the bitter end': Ryan hails Ballygunner's warriors after securing 13th consecutive Waterford crown
GUNNING FOR GLORY: Ballygunner players celebrate with the cup. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile.
Jason Ryan hailed his Ballygunner titans for finding a different way to win as their 13th consecutive Waterford senior hurling title proved by far their hardest-earned.
Fourmilewater, the rank outsiders appearing in their first-ever final, had never beaten the Gunners in the championship, but led by three points with seven minutes remaining and were still a point ahead entering the final minute of normal time.
“This group have played so many games over the last number of years,” said Ryan, “they see a crack, they get a score or two, and all of a sudden there is clear separation and they are able to control the game so much more.
“They didn't control a lot today, apart from savage work rate, never-say-die attitude, and chasing lost causes. It's great to see.
“The boys often get credit for their stickwork and their execution and their different set-ups, but today was just that bit different and a fight to the bitter end. And they did it.”
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The All-Ireland champions only led once until the three minutes of stoppage time, but created three goal chances in that final stretch.
Stephen Ryan produced one-on-one heroics to divert Kevin Mahony’s initial opportunity over the bar and save Dessie Hutchinson’s subsequent effort with his trailing leg, although Mahony mopped up the rebound to tap over the winner.
Mahony then turned provider, teeing up substitute Mark Hartley to round the advancing Ryan for the 62nd-minute clincher. From three behind, the victors ended with 1-4 without reply.
Their 13-in-a-row matches similar legendary exploits by the footballers of Crossmaglen Rangers in Armagh (1996-2008) and Ballina Stephenites in Mayo (1904-16).
The latest count is 74 consecutive Waterford SHC games without a defeat for Ballygunner and 25 titles overall.
For the last 32 of those games, since the 2021 semi-final against Mount Sion, no team has come within one score of them.
That said, this was no four-point game and the manner of the victory made it all the sweeter.
Jason Ryan credited Fourmile with preventing them from keeping their heads up to pick out passes and shutting down their favourite channels. The challengers also created a steady supply of chances with their running power and deliveries into Seán Walsh.
Backed by a strong, swirling wind, Fourmile began with an aerial assault. Waterford full-forward Walsh claimed the long puck-out and there was a hint of a goal chance before opting to point.
Hutchinson was passed fit for this final and picked up by Déise U20 midfielder Paddy Spelman. The star forward snatched a high ball and celebrated his opening point with a fist pump.
When Jamie Barron got half a view of goal, he went for it. Starting on the sideline, the three-time All-Star drove at the defence, but blasted his acute shot into the sidenetting.
Barron had their next point, picking up possession on his own 14m line before receiving the ball back from his brother Tom in the opposition half.
Ballygunner forged their first goal chance soon after. When Hutchinson picked off a Barron pass, Kevin Mahony charged forward, but Stephen Ryan saved his bouncer.
Fourmile’s ravenous work rate paid further dividends with four quickfire points, including three Aaron Ryan placed balls and a second for targetman Walsh for 0-8 to 0-3.
A crushing Dermot Ryan shoulder to prevent a Tadhg Foley goal chance lifted the decibel levels, but Hutchinson punished an error as they failed to work the sliotar out. That sparked a five-point levelling rally.
The impressive Pat Walsh showed more good work to hook Ronan Power, but the wing-back regathered to score. Kevin and Mikey Mahony got off the mark and a Pauric Mahony free tied the contest.
As Dermot Ryan stormed forward to edge them ahead, it was vital for Fourmile to go in with something for all their efforts. They nearly went in behind as Conor Tobin grabbed Cormac Power’s long delivery only to blaze over; 0-9 all at the break.
After a half-time downpour, Hutchinson nudged the Gunners into their first lead on 33 minutes.
Pauric Mahony’s second and third missed frees left Fourmile in touch and Aaron Ryan nailed a brace from play to push the westerners back ahead.
Pauric Mahony won the next free to pull level, but Fourmile pushed on with three on the spin.
Their pressure was forcing Ballygunner into mistakes, with Aaron Ryan slotting his next pair, one each from play and a free, before Tom Barron charged into space for 0-14 to 0-11 with 11 minutes remaining.
In between, Fourmile had their biggest chance for glory. Jamie Barron raced onto a loose ball, but he shot down the middle and Stephen O’Keeffe stood up tall to save. To compound matters, Aaron Ryan struck a rare wide from the 65. He ended as top scorer with 0-8 from 10 shots.
Pauric Mahony exchanged two frees against Ryan’s one before Mikey Mahony cut the deficit to the minimum.
When Kevin and Pauric Mahony missed straightforward equalisers, the shock looked all the more possible, but the Gunners kept flooding forward.
Once they’ve cheered this title, they will head into a “real pre-season” before their Munster campaign begins at home to the Limerick champions on November 15th.
“This is your first window that you can really get a nice bit of work done with the guys who are playing inter-county and to try to improve their physical conditioning,” said Jason Ryan.
“Things will be shook up a little bit now as well regarding game time for different players.”
Patrick Fitzgerald, Pauric Mahony, Hutchinson, and Hartley were mentioned among those who will benefit from the break, while All-Ireland minor champions like Jack Power and Cormac Spain could yet come into the mix.
Pauric Mahony (0-5, 5 frees); M Hartley (1-0); D Hutchinson, K Mahony (0-3 each); M Mahony, C Tobin (0-2 each); R Power (0-1).
A Ryan (0-8, 4 frees, 1 65); S Walsh 0-2; Dermot Ryan, T Barron, J Barron, L O’Brien, M Morrissey (0-1 each).
S O’Keeffe; A O’Neill, I Kenny, T Foley; C Power, Philip Mahony, R Power; C Sheahan, P Leavey; M Mahony (j-capt), Pauric Mahony, P Hogan (j-capt); D Hutchinson, K Mahony, C Tobin.
H Ruddle for C Power (40), M Hartley for Sheahan (43), P Fitzgerald for Tobin (47).
Stephen Ryan; T Walsh, P Walsh, P Spelman; T Guiry, O Walsh, Dermot Ryan; T Barron, C Gleeson; J Barron (capt), L O’Brien, E Spelman; M Morrissey, S Walsh, A Ryan.
J McGrath for T Walsh (37), C Ryan for Morrissey (43).
S Walsh (De La Salle).
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