Ballygunner were forced to dig deep to overcome Na Piarsaigh, 0-18 to 0-15, in the AIB Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship quarter-final at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.
The twelve-in-a-row Waterford champions had to summon all their experience to see off the Limerick men in a bruising, high-tempo contest that hung in the balance until the closing stages. Asked if it had been a hard-fought win, Dessie Hutchinson didn’t hesitate.
“We knew coming up here it was going to be a hell of a battle,” he said. “Na Piarsaigh have been unbelievable all year in Limerick, and we knew the test it was going to be. Missing Pauric [Mahony] as well, we knew it was going to be a hell of a battle. It’s no harm having a battle like that — not playing your best and coming out the right side of it.”
It was a day when Ballygunner’s resolve mattered more than rhythm. Na Piarsaigh’s physical edge and home support made it a scrappy encounter, but Hutchinson said the Gunners’ preparation and work rate carried them through.
“We’ve been here enough times now to know how hard these games are and the preparation you have to put in to be right on the day,” he said. “Today wasn’t our best hurling performance, but we were fit, we were strong, we tackled well and we worked really hard. When you do that, you give yourself every chance.”
Na Piarsaigh’s best spell came approaching the final quarter, when they clawed their way back into contention and threatened to take control. But Ballygunner steadied and found a response when it mattered.
“We weathered the storm there for a bit,” said Hutchinson. “Na Piarsaigh got on top of us, but we rallied it back. Some of the lads stepped up big time.”
Among those to make their mark were several players who have grown in influence this season. Hutchinson was quick to praise their impact.
“That’s exactly what we’ve talked about the last couple of years — getting new people coming to the front,” he said. “Harry Ruddle put in a sensational performance today. Mikey Mahony was excellent, and Conor Tobin came in and got a couple of vital scores. That’s what you need in these big games — a bench to rely on to come in and finish jobs for you.”
The win sets up a Munster semi-final clash with Sarsfields of Cork — the reigning provincial champions who dethroned Ballygunner in last year’s Munster final.
“We were hurt big time last year, so it’s great to get another shot at them,” said Hutchinson. “They’re Munster champions, and everyone’s trying to catch them — they deserve to be Munster champions too. We’ll have a right crack off them, and we’re back in Walsh Park too, which is good.”
Before leaving the field, Hutchinson paid tribute to the Ballygunner supporters who once again travelled in numbers.
“They always come, in fairness to them,” he said. “It’s not easy to keep coming up to Limerick, but that’s what GAA clubs are about — supporters like that. You get emotional talking about it, but we’re delighted.”
