While talk of revenge dominated the terraces before Ballygunner and Sarsfields locked horns in Munster once more, it was far more about proving a point to themselves rather than others – according to Gunners defender Ian Kenny. 

Kenny has become one of the elder statesmen in the rearguard in recent seasons, and says while last year’s result hurt them – there was no time to dwell on the past. Regardless of who they played, it was about Ballygunner – and nothing else. 

“We weren’t happy with the performance we put in against Sars last year”, said Kenny. “We just wanted to put in a performance here. That was the main thing and if we were bet, we were bet. We wanted to show what we’re about and I think we did that for the most part. We’re happy to have another Munster final to look forward to.”

Kenny was full of praise for his teammates at the other end of the field as clinical finishing from Dessie Hutchinson and Pauric Mahony saw the Gunners establish a lead that they’d never come close to relinquishing. 

“Scores are harder to get in the winter because the ball doesn’t travel as far and the ground is a bit heavier so if you can get any bit of a lead you’d take it – but we knew that they’d come back at us and they wouldn’t go down without a fight. The boys were on fire up front and we just had to do our job at the back and get the ball up to them – the more ball into the boys, the better because they were on fire in there.”

It would mean a lot to Kenny to claim another Munster title, despite having a trophy cabinet that would be the envy of many already. 

“It means so much to be back in the final. It shortens the winter. The nights are getting colder and getting longer and you’re getting to go out and train with your best friends and work towards something. It’s great and where else would you rather be.”