WATERFORD SHC FINAL/Ballygunner 1-19 Tallow 0-6:BALLYGUNNER ARE the county champions for 2011 after they enjoyed a facile win over a side appearing in their first final since 1985. In the end, Ballygunner won by 16 points, picking up their 12th title and second title in three years.
In truth, Tallow were no match for a rampant Ballygunner side who held all the aces in what turned out to be the most one-sided final seen in Waterford for many years.
Ballygunner were helped in no small part by a superlative performance from young hurler of the year nominee, Pauric Mahony who finished the game with a total of 11 points after giving an exhibition of point-taking. Tallow were not helped by an early injury picked up by star player, Paul OBrien which seriously hindered him.
Although Ballygunner held a nine-point lead at the interval they did not have it all their own way for long periods of that opening half. While they did enjoy a territorial advantage, they struggled to break down the Tallow defence who stood resolute for the majority of the half.
In truth, the first half was not that entertaining and with 23 minutes played, the score was 0-4 to 0-2 in Ballygunners favour. Then came the game-changing moment when a long run through the centre by David OSullivan set up Harley Barnes for a goal.
That score shook Ballygunner into life and they went on a scoring spree which completely knocked the stuffing out of the challengers. Spurred on by a great performance by centre-back, Wayne Hutchinson, Ballygunner poured forward and points from Pauric Mahony, Andy Moloney and JJ Hutchinson eased the Gunners into a half-time lead of 1-9 to 0-3.
Ballygunner had the wind at their backs for the second half and they immediately set about closing out the game. Further points from the irrepressible Mahony were added to by Shane OSullivan and Andy Moloney.
Bright moments for Tallow were few and far between but wing-forward Aaron Pratt did manage a brace of fine points and O’Brien scored before his injury got the better of him.
The last 10 minutes was a procession for Ballygunner and Pauric Mahony put the icing on a superb display with a fantastic individual point in injury time.
BALLYGUNNER: S OKeeffe; W Kiely, B Coughlan, R Cunningham; Philip Mahony, W Hutchinson, A Kirwan; S Walsh (0-1), D OSullivan; JJ Hutchinson (0-1), S OSullivan (0-2), A Moloney (0-2); Brian OSullivan (0-1), Pauric Mahony (0-11, eight frees), H Barnes (1-0). Subs: S OKeeffe for A Kirwan, B Mullane for A Moloney, Barry OSullivan for Brian OSullivan, N Waldron (0-1) for H Barnes, S Power for S Walsh.
TALLOW: S OSullivan; A Kearney, D OBrien, K Kearney; M OBrien, J Murray, W Henley; K Geary, P OBrien (0-1); E Sheehan, E Condon, A Pratt (0-2); K Curley, T Ryan (0-3, one free, one 65), B Henley Subs: T Daly for K Curley, B McCarthy for E Sheehan, K OBrien for B Henley, T Feeney for P OBrien.
Referee: M OBrien (Portlaw).
