Tag Archives: Ballygunner

26 March, 1972 Newmarket-on-Fergus 5-8 Ballygunner 4-3 at Sean Treacy Park, Tipperary Town A note in The Munster Express the week before the game said much about this Munster final showdown that had been a very long time coming — three years in fact. “It’s been a long time coming and without question the game has lost all of its appeal — except, of course, for the clubs involved,” the short preview noted. And it was true because when it came down to the winning and playing of this 1969 Munster final there were plenty of takeaways from a contest that The Clare Champion said was “tough and uncompromising” before the Blues emerged with an eight-point victory to put Munster Club titles back-to-back. The first half decided it as “after playing into the jaws of a near gale force wind, victory was as good as on its way to Newmarket”. This was all down to their great finish to the …

Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship Final Clonlara v Ballygunner (Waterford) at FBD Semple Stadium Thurles, Sunday 3.30pm (Ciaran O’Regan, Cork) Momentum is a sporting phenomenon that is impossible to manufacture and easy to lose but when that wave does come, one has to make the most of it. Undoubtedly, not unlike Ballyea in 2016, the stars have aligned for Clonlara this year as while their potential has never been questioned, their own application and ability to reach that optimum made most including themselves wonder would regaining a first Canon Hamilton since 2008 ever happen. It’s what has made this journey all the sweeter and heartening as this year’s succession of highs has even surprised themselves at times but scratch beneath the surface and you’ll find that the pieces of the jigsaw have been gradually put into place over the past few seasons. Experienced stars: John Conlon, Colm Galvin, Ian Galvin, Check. Maturing youth: The minor class of 2018 please stand …

The last time Clonlara were in a Munster final Jim Gully was the manager — 16 years on from the club’s provincial victory at intermediate level comes the opportunity of winning a senior title with the family connection being Séimí, who mans the gap in goal, writes Joe Ó Muircheartaigh. As dusk fell over Clonlara on a famous evening 15 years ago Jim Gully remembers everything about the day as if it was yesterday. The build-up; the team marching behind the Tulla band with Paul Collins at the head of affairs; the game; the win and Paul’s speech that announced the Canon Hamilton Trophy’s return to the village that gave the GAA the redoubtable cleric. Meanwhile, Jim’s son Séimí can only see the fires burning brightly on the hills as the Clonlara cavalcade made its way back to the village as a senior championship title was won for the first time in 89 years. It’s October 2008 and Clonlara have …

While their college and inter-county careers flourished, a coveted county senior hurling medal had eluded brothers Colm and Ian Galvin until Clonlara’s breakthrough six weeks ago. Now they stand only 60 minutes away from an unprecedented double as Clon look to stop Ballygunner from creating provincial history and open a new chapter of their own according to Eoin Brennan. Clonlara’s surge to a first Canon Hamilton crown in 15 years is completely justified now but in the overall context it was still a major shock. After all, manager Donal Madden wasn’t exaggerating when he said that avoiding relegation was their chief objective and anything after that would be a bonus. What a bonus it turned out to be though as once Clonlara gathered confidence and momentum, they have blossomed to unprecedented heights and are now preparing to take on back-to-back champions Ballygunner (Waterford) in Sunday’s Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship Final in FBD Semple Stadium (3.30pm). Let’s start with that …

There’s nothing like winning with a local team to ingratiate yourself into the community so for Alan Murnane, he couldn’t have chosen a better year to get involved in his new home of Clonlara. The Parteen native who, two decades on from first lining out between the sticks for the Blue and White, is still Parteen-Meelick’s custodian but now living in Clonlara for the past six years, the parish leap, from a coaching perspective anyway, was perhaps inevitable. Perhaps it’s no coincidence even that Alan’s introduction has come amidst Clonlara’s greatest ever season to date? “I’m glad you said it.” He laughs. “Ah no seriously, I’ve a young family now and that was one of the first things Donal [Madden] said to me was it would be a great way to get to know more people in the community. I think said in an interview after the Kiladangan game that there’s isn’t much there but that people in Clonlara love …

In a top class Munster hurling club final a powerful finish saw reigning provincial and All Ireland champions Ballygunner prevail by 1-23 to 0-17 after a huge battle with Ballyea. Outscoring the Clare champions by 0-6 to 0-1 in the last ten minutes put the icing on the cake for Darragh O’Sullivan’s charges. Tony Kelly was simply majestic for the Banner men scoring 0-11 but it is youngster Patrick Fitzgerald who will take all the plaudits after landing 1-4 from play in a devastating performance. The first half simply flew by such was the non stop action on display. Starting brightly the Waterford champions led 0-4 to 0-2 and only for a remarkable Peter Casey block on Hutchinson the game’s first green flag would have arrived. Five Tony Kelly points though followed including a sensational monster point from distance before disaster for Ballyea in the 20th minute. Pauric Mahony picked up possession just inside the 40 before cutting through and …

UNTIL it is surpassed, 2016 will be regarded as Ballyea’s greatest season as breakthrough county and Munster titles were garnered in a fairytale few months that only ended in the All-Ireland Final on the following St Patrick’s Day. Personally however, 2022 has to be Paul Flanagan’s best year to date, with his immense performances for Clare earning him a first ever All-Star nomination before also excelling once more for Ballyea in securing historic back-to-back Canon Hamilton crowns. Understandably therefore, he is not too keen for 2022 to end anytime soon. “The year keeps going and it’s funny because it kind of instills a bit of extra hunger in you too to go up to Dublin for that awards night. It was my first time at anything like that whereas for some guys they’re probably there every year. “So for me it was all new as the All-Stars recipients are the best in the country and to get to that level …

Former Waterford defender Noel Connors believes Ballygunner’s strength in depth will prove decisive when they meet Ballyea in this Saturday’s Munster final. The three time All-Star believes Ballyea will provide a stern examination of the reigning champions’ credentials, but he believes that Ballygunner possess a squad that is deep enough to withstand the best Robbie Hogan’s side can produce. “They probably have a squad of 32, 33, 34 lads at a similar level. They have players who have starred at minor and U20 level and sometimes those guys aren’t making the panel. Fellas can come in if a guy like Dessie (Hutchinson) is being held. “Probably not many people knew Harry Ruddle before his goal in the All-Ireland final but he was exceptional in the Club Championship all along and was probably the best player in the league down here. “They have quality throughout and that’s why I think they can pull away near the end against Ballyea. I think …