Ballygunner glories taken for granted
I don’t take much mass in bookmakers' odds. Still, when it comes to sporting occasions - they are worth taking note of.
At the time of writing, Ballygunner are 1/9 to lift the O’Neill Cup for a record sixth occasion on Sunday. In other words, the statisticians - the so-called experts - deem it 90% likely to happen.
That means nothing come throw-in, but it points to something overwhelmingly likely, an outcome that has next to no alternatives.
It’s like a prime Roger Federer taking on the world number 100; Ferguson’s United at home to Wigan; Galopin Des Champs out for a spin at Tramore; or a minister seeking re-election.
Whatever way you want to compare it, it probably is a very unfair reflection on the ability possessed by the opposition - Éire Óg Inis. Then again, it just goes to show you the esteem in which the Gunners seem to be held.
Éire Óg are a very good side in their own right. Shane O’Donnell when fit and firing is one of the best to ever strike a sliotar, while David Reidy and Aaron Fitzgerald are no strangers to us in these parts. Danny Russell struck 1-14 against Loughmore-Castleiney last time out - and any side that can beat Loughmore are a side that warrant worry.
One thing that certainly stands in Ballygunner’s favour is that Éire Óg could well burn themselves out by being victims of their own success.
They managed to win the senior double in the Banner County this year, and lined out in the Munster Senior Club Football Championship Semi-Final on Sunday.
Six men who are likely to start against Ballygunner played just seven days prior and the two-week turnaround plays into the hands of Jason Ryan’s men.
The fact that Ballygunner find themselves in the Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship Final for the eighth year running is genuinely remarkable. It’s hard to argue against them being the most consistent team in the country, but even still - they have had enough heartbreaks on final day to tell you you can never take anything for granted, 1/9 or not.
Since starting their reign of dominance in Waterford in 2014, for every time they’ve lifted the O’Neill Cup aloft, the Gunners have also left the stadium having watched someone else climb the steps. Na Piarsaigh (2), Borris-Ileigh and Sarsfields have proved their scourge, and if Éire Óg are to be added to that list - it certainly won’t be by virtue of complacency coming into play.
The focus is phenomenal. Ballygunner hadn’t even got off the pitch after beating Sarsfields and talk had shifted to how it would count for nothing if they didn’t finish the job in the decider.
Should they reign supreme at Semple Stadium on this occasion, there’s the added incentive that Ballygunner will then become the most successful club in provincial history. Had you said that to them when they bridged the 17-year-gap in 2018, I’m sure they’d have snapped your hand off.
This could be a fourth Munster title in five years. The fact that this has become an expectation of this side shows you just how stacked with talent they are.
While some men will potentially be picking up a fifth Munster medal should all go to plan - for others, it’ll be a chance at a first or second. Irrespective of what’s been and gone, it’s always about what’s to come - the hunger, the appetite, the determination remains the same and that’s the most admirable characteristic of all.
I’ve been hugely impressed with the defensive solidity displayed by the Gunners rearguard. Stephen O’Keeffe needs no superlatives to introduce his influence but the composure of Ian Kenny and Tadhg Foley, the speed of Aaron O’Neill, the quiet conduction from Philip Mahony and the marauding runs from Harry Ruddle and Ronan Power are so central to making this team tick.
Mikey Mahony, Peter Hogan, Paddy Leavey and Conor Sheahan cover every blade and work like dogs and once the sliotar gets to Dessie Hutchinson, Patrick Fitzgerald, Pauric and Kevin Mahony - it usually yields results.
In full flight, there’s very little stopping them. They hit 4-18 against Sarsfields and even still they might’ve left two or three more goals behind, which says an awful lot about just how many chances they can conjure when finding the purple patch.
Nothing has been won yet, and trust me I’ve learnt the hard way not to jump the gun - I introduced talk of a second All-Ireland before Munster was won last year and learnt that lesson quickly.
As Jason Ryan himself said to me earlier this week “If you look too far ahead - you’re in bother” and so that case often proves.
Ballygunner have faced Clare opposition in Munster seven times in the last 11 years, and won six of those battles. Not since a three-point defeat to Cratloe back in 2014 have the Gunners been toppled by Banner representatives, and they’ve won the last four by an average margin of 13 points.
Expectation is a burden to some, but to others - it’s a reminder of everything they’re capable of. Many days as a Waterford man I’ve been to finals and came home broken hearted. Many evenings have been spent in a car coming home from Semple Stadium with very few words said.
People will treat this differently because it’s Ballygunner. Some begrudge their success but let them off - I will die on the hill that we’re incredibly lucky to have a club of their calibre representing Waterford on the biggest of stages.
Should they get the job done and make even more history, I don’t want to hear talk of player pools or resources or how it “won’t count for anything unless they win the All Ireland”.
We’re all guilty of looking at things the pessimist way, we all begrudge from time to time - but this is a Waterford team in pole position to do something incredible. Again. And again. And again.
I hope when I’m penning reports this time next week that I’m talking about Ballygunner and Kilrossanty lifting trophies - but even if they don’t, they’ve done the Déise proud this winter and we should be tipping our caps to both.
