Ballygunner will rely on competitive squad during 11-week break

Ballygunner have 11 weeks to wait until their next match, at home to the Limerick champions. 'It's hard to get games because other club championships are still going on,' said Dessie Hutchinson.

Dessie Hutchinson on Ballygunner's Waterford SHC final victory over Fourmilewater: "A lot of people probably came in today and expected us to wipe the floor. It's not the case." Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Having missed out on Ballygunner’s semi-final victory over De La Salle just eight days previous, Dessie Hutchinson was all the more grateful to play a full part in their final triumph over Fourmilewater.

The Waterford star sat out the semi-final due to a medical issue, but his delight at being cleared to feature on Sunday showed straight from his high-fielding second-minute point, which Hutchinson celebrated with a fist pump.

Pauric Mahony didn’t start in that resounding semi-final success, while Patrick Fitzgerald didn’t play any part due to injury, but Ballygunner got their key scorers back on the field to grind out a sweet county title, their 13th in succession.

“There was a little bit of doubt, but thankfully doctor's orders allowed me to play,” said Hutchinson.

“I'm grateful to be out here. I missed last week, so it was tough to get back into the team. There were a few lads that missed out today because of that.

“Look, delighted to be back out here. I have a nice break now for a while to get myself back in shape.” 

There was more doubt over the outcome of this county final than any of Ballygunner’s previous 12. That came as little surprise to Hutchinson.

“A lot of people probably came in today and expected us to wipe the floor. It's not the case,” he said.

“Anytime we play Fourmile, it's always a tough game. We're delighted to come out the right side of it.

“They went three up (entering the final quarter), but it just shows our experience and our will to win to get back up.” 

For all their silverware and self-assurance, Hutchinson admits that there were moments where doubt crept in.

“Of course there is. You put a few simple scores wide and they go up the other end and get a couple. You're thinking, is it our day?

“Then when you just bring it back down to earth, you focus back on your game.

“Look, we probably missed four or five goal chances that we should be putting away. We made it difficult for ourselves, but that's a credit to Fourmile too.”

Ballygunner have 11 weeks to wait until their next match, at home to the Limerick champions, but they are already just an hour away from a ninth consecutive Munster final appearance.

Ballygunner’s Dessie Hutchinson celebrates after his side's victory over Fourmilewater. Pic: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

In the interim, Hutchinson will be lining out for Gaultier, who have reached five of the past six Waterford SFC semi-finals without making their breakthrough.

When asked if he would favour a structural change to run the hurling and football concurrently, as adopted by Wexford in 2024 and favoured by most counties, Hutchinson said he sees both sides.

“I suppose the good thing about it being this early is you have good weather,” he said. “Ideally, you probably want to be going deeper into the year.

“There's a few of us that play football as well. We have to balance that over the next few weeks.

“Look, it's hard to know. There's always going to be flaws in whatever way you look at it.” 

On the difficulties associated with managing the 11-week gap, Hutchinson added: “It's hard to get games because other club championships are still going on.

“Thankfully, we're such a competitive squad that we drive each other in training every night. That's what we'll be relying on.” 

With an open trial to be held for potential newcomers to the Waterford senior hurling panel in November, changes have been signposted as Stephen Molumphy takes the reins following Peter Queally’s tenure.

Hutchinson praised the appointment, while committing his sole attention to Ballygunner for the foreseeable future.

“It's too far away at the moment,” said Hutchinson. “We just have to focus on what we're doing here with Ballygunner. We'll see what the future holds.

“We know we have to get better if we want to go far into a Munster Club Championship. All the focus is going to go to that.

“Look, Stephen's in there. It's a good appointment. He's saying the right things at the moment.”