Sarsfields’ Munster Dream Crushed by Ballygunner

BALLYGUNNER 4-18 SARSFIELDS 2-17

Sarsfields’ brave run in the AIB Munster Club Senior Hurling Championship was brought to a decisive halt on Sunday afternoon as the Cork champions succumbed to the unstoppable force of Ballygunner , losing  4-18 to 2-17  at Azzurri Walsh Park.

Ballygunner quickly established a significant lead, built on a clinical first-half performance that included two goals from Dessie Hutchinson. At one stage, the deficit stretched to 14 points, making the task seem insurmountable.

However, Sarsfields showed immense character.  Daniel Hogan  sparked the Cork challenge with a magnificent individual goal just before the break, cutting the margin. He followed this up immediately after the restart with a second quick goal, narrowing the gap to just five points and truly making it ‘game on’.

Unfortunately, Ballygunner’s pedigree shone through. They immediately punished defensive lapses in the Sarsfields rear-guard with two devastating goals from **Patrick Fitzgerald** and **Kevin Mahony**. This clinical burst effectively killed the contest, restoring the substantial lead.

While Sarsfields fought bravely to the end, with  Colm McCarthy  (0-5) and  James Sweeney (0-4) registering scores, the final whistle confirmed the end of the provincial journey. Ballygunner marches on, while Sarsfields must regroup after a hard-fought battle.

Scorers for Ballygunner: Pauric Mahony 0-10 (0-9 frees, 0-1 65), Dessie Hutchinson 2-1, Patrick Fitzgerald 1-2 (0-1 free), Kevin Mahony 1-1, Mikey Mahony, Mark Hartley 0-2 each.

Scorers for Sarsfields: Daniel Hogan 2-3f (0-2 frees), Colm McCarthy 0-5 (0-3 frees), James Sweeney 0-4, Barry O’Flynn 0-2, Conor O’Sullivan, Luke Elliott, Ben Graham (0-1 free) 0-1 each.

BALLYGUNNER: Stephen O’Keeffe; Aaron O’Neill, Tadhg Foley, Ian Kenny; Harry Ruddle, Philip Mahony, Ronan Power; Conor Sheahan, Paddy Leavey; Pauric Mahony, Mikey Mahony, Peter Hogan; Kevin Mahony, Dessie Hutchinson, Patrick Fitzgerald. Subs: Mark Hartley for Pauric Mahony (49), Conor Tobin for Sheahan (54), Eoin O’Brien for Ronan Power, Eoin Cuddihy for Fitzgerald (both 60+1), Cormac Power for Kevin Mahony (60+4)

SARSFIELDS: Ben Graham; Conor O’Sullivan, Cillian Roche, Donal English; Luke Elliott, Craig Leahy, Bryan Murphy; Daniel Kearney, Killian Murphy; Jack O’Connor, Cian Darcy, Daniel Hogan; Barry O’Flynn, James Sweeney, Colm McCarthy. Subs: Eoghan Murphy for Roche (37), Ben Nodwell for Bryan Murphy (42), Shane O’Regan for Kearney (45), Luke Hackett for K Murphy (58).

Referee: Alan Tierney (Tipperary).