A thrilling Munster Club weekend

The Munster Club Championships got under way last weekend with all three Waterford champions in thrilling action Ballygunner had to dig deep to overcome a strong challenge from Derek McGrath’s newly crowned Limerick champions Doon in The TUS Gaelic Grounds as, not for the first time, goalie Stephen O’Keeffe emerged as his side’s hero with some of the brilliant goalkeeping to which we almost take for granted from him.

It was a huge effort by Doon one week on from winning a first ever senior county title but even when trailing by four points, before O’Keeffe’s brilliant save from Jack Ryan, one always felt that Ballygunner’s experience would come to the fore and they would have that bit extra in the tank to see them over the line and so it transpired.

The Gunners now go into an eagerly anticipated semi-final clash with Loughmore-Castleiney in Walsh Park on Sunday week with the memory fresh of the 2021 dramatic semi-final clash between the clubs in Fraher Field won by Ballygunner and in which the Tipperary champions were reduced to thirteen players following the controversial sending off of the McGraths, Noel and John by Limerick referee Johnny Murphy.

The Tipperary champions will feel they have a score to settle here and will be pleased that they are not out in Munster Club football until November 24th having been allowed three weeks to prepare for the Ballygunner clash. A big day to look forward to in Walsh Park.

Perhaps the big performance last weekend came in Lemybrien where Kilrossanty defied the odds to overcome fancied and experienced Limerick champions Feenagh-Kilmeedy and advance to an away semi-final against Clare side The Banner on Saturday week.

That Kilrossanty were embarrassed by their poor performance against Roanmore in the County Final is an understatement and they relished the opportunity to show their true form on the Munster stage. On Saturday last they did just that showing themselves to be worthy Deise representitives.

Their big players on the day were the Fitzgerald twins Padraig and Seamus both of whom we can expect to see more of on the inter county scene next year. This was no two man show, however, by Kilrossanty but a big team performance and they will travel to Clare with high hopes.

Brickey Rangers were most unfortunate to exit Munster last Sunday but they did so with heads held high against a strong Abbeydorney side in a game they might as easily have won. They can look forward with renewed optimism to their senior hurling campaign next season.

UNDER-20 HURLING CHAMPIONSHIPS CONTINUE AT PACE 

With De La Salle qualifying for the U-20 A Eastern Final with their win over Mount Sion on Saturday last their opponents will be known on Sunday next with the result of the second semi-final between Ballygunner and Roanmore which takes place in the De La Salle club grounds, Gracedieu at 1.45pm.

Roanmore had an impressive 4-16 to 2-14 win over a good Clan na Gael side in the SETU Arena on Friday last and will not be short on confidence facing the favourite.

Meanwhile, in the Sean Byrne sponsored Western U-20 A championship, in which just three teams participate, Fourmilewater caused a minor upset when beating Lismore on a score of 2-21 to 1-22 last weekend and they now face Abbeyside in the divisional final in Fraher Field at 3 pm on Saturday.

All games in this championship must be played to a finish on the day with penalties deciding the result if necessary after extra time.