Ballygunner set to field two teams in Waterford Senior Hurling Championship

It is understood Ballygunner will field two teams in the 2026 Waterford Senior Hurling Championship.

Having been crowned All-Ireland champions for the second time by virtue of their 1-20 to 1-14 win against Loughrea on Sunday, the Déise kingpins are now set to field two senior sides later this year.

Ballygunner won the Waterford Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship this year, defeating Tallow 1-21 to 2-11 in the county final.

They had also won the tournament in 2022, seeing off Ballysaggart 2-29 to 3-20 - but did not have to take their place in the senior ranks on that occasion.

As first reported by the Irish Examiner, despite some reluctance within the club and focus having been on the All-Ireland campaign, Ballygunner’s second team, last year’s premier intermediate county champions, will be treated as an entirely separate entity.

The Waterford County Board have informed the club that the teams can’t be kept separate at group phase, while the sides also can’t be stopped from playing on the same day or time.

A ruling to prohibit two teams from one club playing at the same level was discussed at Central Council in November but was then referred to a rules advisory committee.

It’s understood an alternative arrangement may be proposed at a meeting of the same body this weekend.

Ballygunner may be afforded some flexibility in distinguishing the two separate panels, however not to the same extent as when they operated at two different grades.