Ballygunner became the first club to capture three Munster titles in a row on a bitterly cold December evening under the Semple Stadium floodlights.
Kevin Mahony shot 1-4 from play (1-3 in the first half) for Darragh O'Sullivan's side while Dessie Hutchinson also raised a green flag in a 2-24 to 0-17 win over Clonlara. The hard working Peter Hogan was named man of the match after shooting four from play. Top scorer Pauric Mahony ended up with ten points. The Gunners join Blackrock at the top of the roll of honour with five provincial championships. In front of 3,981 fans, joint captains Stephen O'Keeffe and Philip Mahony led the black and red up the steps again.
Clonlara started brightly. 2023 All Star John Conlon grabbed the sliotar off the throw in and split the posts with just nine seconds on the clock. Michael O'Loughlin added a free for the underdogs after Ronan Power was penalised for charging. Off the next puckout. Mikey Mahony and Conor Sheahan worked a point for Peter Hogan. Kevin Mahony levelled the match in the fourth minute. Pauric Mahony edged the Gunners in front for the first time after he traded passes with brother Kevin from a quick free.
On 12 minutes, Peter Hogan picked out Kevin Mahony with a pinpoint pass but his goalbound effort was blocked by Clonlara corner back Logan Ryan. Pauric Mahony dispatched his second 65.
In the fourteenth minute, Patrick Fitzgerald found Dessie Hutchinson one on one in front of the target and he blasted to the net. Mikey and Kevin Mahony opened a seven point gap (1-7 to 0-3). 1-3 without reply. Diarmuid Stritch got a point back for the Clare champions.
A brilliant Ballygunner move led to the second goal on 18 minutes. Mikey Mahony was involved twice before Kevin finished it off (2-7 to 0-4). Curtains already for Clonlara.
Peter Hogan put in another busy shift on the wing and landed a beauty from the Old Stand side to leave the Gunners nine to the good at the break (2-12 to 0-9).
Dessie Hutchinson pointed within a minute of the restart. Hutchinson flicked the ball over the head of a Clonlara defender on 37 minutes before he supplied Hogan for his third from play. Conor Sheahan added his name to the scoresheet as the gap widened to eleven.
Patrick Fitzgerald became the sixth Ballygunner forward to score from play. Pauric Mahony entered double digits to move them fifteen points clear (2-21 to 0-12). With fourteen minutes left, All Star goalkeeper Stephen O'Keeffe denied Ian Galvin a consolation goal. Patrick Fitzgerald sent over a super solo score before Hogan hit his fourth. Substitute Harry Ruddle got in on the act in injury time.
After breaking records in Waterford and in Munster, Ballygunner will take on Galway champions St Thomas' in the All Ireland semi final on the weekend of December 16/17.
