Ballygunner leave it late to see off Lismore
Lismore's Jack Prendergast tries to get through the challenge of Ballygunner's Philip Mahony and Paddy Leavey during the JJ Kavanagh & Sons Co. SHC quarterfinal at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field. Photo: Eddie Dee
A period of 1-5 without reply in the final ten minutes proved crucial for Ballygunner as the All-Ireland champions saw off a spirited Lismore effort by 1-19 to 1-11 at Fraher Field.
They are now 72 games unbeaten at senior level in Waterford and one game away from a 14th successive county final appearance.
The Gunners led 0-9 to 0-4 at the break, but it was far from a vintage display from the All-Ireland champions who mustered eight first half wides.
The challengers had the breeze and went two to the good through a free by Jack Prendergast and Hugo Quann’s sideline, but Ballygunner edged back ahead as Conor Tobin, Eoin Cuddihy and Dessie Hutchinson opened their accounts.
A Prendergast free levelled matters again on 10 minutes but that was to be Lismore’s last score until first half stoppage-time, as the Gunners hit five unanswered scores - though it could’ve been a far more sizeable advantage had they displayed their usual clinical finishing.
Hutchinson pointed from play before Paddy Leavey sent over a fine point from distance, and 12 minutes passed without a score for either team before Mikey Mahony got in on the act. Tobin and Cuddihy both notched from close range before Jordan Shanahan responded - Tobin’s third ensuring a five-point cushion for the champions at the interval and they would also have the aid of the elements on the resumption.
A free from Prendergast and a Joe O’Keeffe strike brought Lismore back within three as the Gunners struggled to find their rhythm, but Ronan Power steadied them before Tobin’s fourth again reestablished a five-point advantage.
Lismore stuck to their task as Shanahan scored his second, before goal chances went begging for Tobin and Peter Hogan on 35 minutes. The outstanding David Prendergast was keeping Kevin Mahony quiet as an upset wasn’t entirely off the cards. A stunner from Oisin O’Gorman renewed hope for Dan Shanahan’s men before a goal on 44 minutes roared the game into life.
A superb piece of fielding and control from O’Gorman teed up Ben O’Sullivan and he calmly finished to the net as the scoreline suddenly read 0-12 to 1-8. Pauric Mahony tapped over two successive frees to go back three ahead, but Iarlaith Daly and Paudie Prendergast split the posts as Lismore refused to go away down the home straight.
Pauric Mahony continued to pull the champions out of the fire with another three-in-a-row, before Mikey Mahony added another - and the champions firmly escaped jail on 54 minutes when Ronan Power tapped home the rebound following a great initial save from Seanie Barry.
Jason Ryan’s men finished eight point winners at the finish, but the scoreboard certainly doesn’t tell the story.
Pauric Mahony (0-6; 6f); Ronan Power (1-1); Conor Tobin (0-4); Dessie Hutchinson (0-3; 0-2f); Mikey Mahony and Eoin Cuddihy (0-2 each); Paddy Leavey (0-1)
Jack Prendergast (0-4; 0-3f); Ben O’Sullivan (1-0); Jordan Shanahan (0-2); Hugo Quann (0-1; 0-1sl); Iarlaith Daly, Joe O’Keeffe, Paidi Prendergast and Oisin O’Gorman (0-1 each)
Stephen O’Keeffe; Aaron O’Neill, Ian Kenny, Tadhg Foley; Cormac Power, Philip Mahony, Ronan Power; Conor Sheahan, Paddy Leavey; Dessie Hutchinson, Conor Tobin, Peter Hogan; Eoin Cuddihy, Kevin Mahony, Mikey Mahony.
Eoin O’Brien for Cormac Power (HT; inj); Pauric Mahony for Conor Tobin (42); Jake Foley for Eoin Cuddihy (48); Gavin Corbett for Kevin Mahony (58)
Seanie Barry; David Prendergast, Cathrach Daly, Connor Howard; Hugo Quann, Iarlaith Daly, Jordan Shanahan; Joseph O’Keeffe, Tadhg Duffin; Paudie Prendergast, Ben O’Sullivan, Charlie Lineen; Aaron Whelan, Oisin O’Gorman, Jack Prendergast.
Ray Barry for Charlie Lineen (52); Stephen Barry for Oisin O’Gorman (57)
Killian O’Sullivan (Cappoquin)
