Warm favourites Ballygunner duly won their third successive Waterford Senior hurling championship in an entertaining though far from classic county final against Passage watched by 7,000 at Walsh Park yesterday. Passage led early in both halves but the winners, with forward Paul Flynn in fine form, never looked to be in serious trouble. They were ahead 1-6 to 0-3 after 15 minutes, by 1-8 to 0-9 at the interval and although Passage struck for a goal within 20 seconds of the re-start, the reigning champions kept cool and a goal and two points from Flynn within a four-minute spell left them 2-11 to 1-11 in front after 42 minutes.

With Niall Warren, Stephen Frampton and Liam Whitty showing up well, for the winners, along with Flynn, Passage were not allowed back into the game and the only real excitement subsequently was when a goal-mouth melee led to Flynn and Passage keeper, Ray Barry, being sent off.