Late scoring surge sends Ballygunner into Munster final
The Waterford champions produced a devastating finish to overcome Kilmallock and keep their provincial ambitions alive. Eight unanswered points at Azzurri Walsh Park settled a contest that had tightened dramatically after the break.
Ballygunner powered into a ninth consecutive Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship final with eight unanswered late points, defeating Kilmallock 1-20 to 1-11 at Azzurri Walsh Park.
The Limerick champions had cut the gap to a single point after 49 minutes, but the Waterford side finished with authority to set up a meeting with Thurles Sarsfields in two weeks’ time.
Dessie Hutchinson struck the opening goal after nine minutes, burying the rebound when Conor Hanley-Clarke saved from Patrick Fitzgerald. Pauric Mahony’s free helped Ballygunner lead 1-7 to 0-6 at the break.
Three quick points stretched the advantage to seven, but Kilmallock fought back. After Stephen O’Keeffe denied Hanley-Clarke, Oisin O’Reilly rounded the goalkeeper to score in the 45th minute. Pierce Connery then brought the visitors within one.
Peter Hogan sparked Ballygunner’s decisive response, despite two excellent saves from Hanley-Clarke. Pauric Mahony finished with seven points, while Hutchinson contributed 1-4.
The victory was Ballygunner’s eighth successive win over Limerick opposition and kept their bid for a record seventh Munster crown on course.