Corbett's late heroics earn battling Gunners B a draw
Ballygunner's Jack Power gets in ahead of a possee of Dungarvan defenders to gain possession during the JJ Kavanagh & Sons Senior Hurling Championship clash played at St Mollerans GAA in Carrickbeg. Photos: Eddie Dee
Ballygunner’s second team got up and running in this year’s JJ Kavanagh & Sons County Senior Hurling Championship after earning their first point of the campaign with a spirited comeback against Dungarvan at St Molleran’s in Carrickbeg on Saturday evening.
Trailing by eight points early in the second half, Ballygunner showed tremendous character to fight back and claim a deserved share of the spoils. In the end, it was probably a result both sides would have accepted, even though each would have viewed the fixture as a winnable one before throw-in.
Dungarvan, for the second game in succession, fielded a very youthful side and finished with more than half of their team eligible for under-20 competition. While experienced figures such as Darragh Lyons and Mikey Kiely provided leadership, the west Waterford side may look to introduce some additional experience for the remaining rounds if they are to make significant progress and avoid being one of the three teams relegated from the competition.
Ballygunner’s second string, meanwhile, are destined for relegation regardless of results due to the structure of the championship. Their panel includes players with senior experience who will be eager to impress and earn promotion to the club’s top team, alongside several promising younger players looking to force their way into senior contention.
Dungarvan made the brighter start and quickly established a four-point lead through Ryan McGovern, who converted two placed balls, along with scores from brothers Johnny and Eddie Burke.
Ballygunner took time to settle but opened their account after eight minutes through Ruairi Fitzpatrick before Jake Foley added another.
Dungarvan responded impressively, with Billy Hickey and two more scores from McGovern stretching the lead to five. Tom Spain and Mikey Kiely exchanged points to leave Dungarvan still five clear midway through the opening half.
Further scores from Eddie Burke and Gavin Corbett were followed by points from Alex Shanahan and McGovern as Dungarvan moved seven points in front and appeared to be taking firm control.
Billy O’Keeffe converted a free for Ballygunner, but the city side suffered a setback when Tom Spain was forced off through injury after 22 minutes.
Donnacha Hamilton-Hayes and Corbett traded scores before Johnny Burke restored Dungarvan’s seven-point advantage. Philip Power and Jake Foley reduced the deficit to five, but McGovern closed the first-half scoring with a free to leave Dungarvan comfortably ahead, 0-14 to 0-8, at the interval.
Dungarvan carried that momentum into the second half as Joe Duggan and Mikey Kiely extended their advantage.
However, rather than pushing on, Dungarvan were met by a determined Ballygunner response. Jake Foley struck twice, while Billy O’Keeffe and Scott Fleming also found the target to breathe life into the contest.
Scores from McGovern and Johnny Burke restored a six-point cushion for Dungarvan approaching the final 10 minutes, but Ballygunner were not finished.
A superb point from Cathal O’Sullivan appeared to ignite the comeback. Although McGovern replied, scores from Darragh O’Keeffe, Gavin Corbett, another excellent effort from O’Sullivan, and points from substitutes Conor Berry and Jack Power reduced the gap to the minimum.
McGovern then added two more points for Dungarvan, with Corbett replying in between, leaving two points between the sides deep into stoppage time.
Corbett emerged as Ballygunner’s hero. He first converted a free to cut the deficit to one before, moments later, splitting the posts again for his sixth point of the afternoon and securing a deserved draw for his side.
Gavin Corbett 0-6 (1f), Jake Foley 0-4, Billy O’Keeffe 0-2 (2f), Cathal O’Sullivan 0-2, Ruairi Fitzpatrick, Tom Spain, Philip Power, Scott Fleming, Darragh O’Keeffe, Conor Berry and Jack Power 0-1 each.
Ryan McGovern 0-10 (6f, 1 '65), Johnny Burke 0-3, Eddie Burke and Mikey Kiely 0-2 each, Billy Hickey, Alex Shanahan, Donnacha Hamilton-Hayes and Joe Duggan 0-1 each.
Cian Troy; Craig O’Keeffe, Sean Harney, Tony Brennan; Scott Fleming, Cathal O’Sullivan, Billy O’Keeffe; Darragh O’Keeffe, Ruairi Fitzpatrick; Philip Power, Jake Foley, Gavin Corbett; Tom Spain, Ollie Fives, Tommy Phelan.
Jack Power for Tom Spain (22), Conor Berry for Tommy Phelan (54).
Rian Crotty; Kealan Daly, Jack Lacey, Brendan Dillon; Eddie Burke, Donnacha Hamilton-Hayes, John Meehan; Billy Hickey, Joe Duggan; Darragh Lyons, Mikey Kiely, Ryan McGovern; Pierce Quann, Johnny Burke, Alex Shanahan.
Brian Curran for Alex Shanahan (42), Robbie Wall for Kealan Daly (50), Luke Power for Joe Duggan (50), Oisin Byrne for Pierce Quann (57), Ryan Donnelly for Billy Hickey (62).
Eoin Morrissey (Erin’s Own).
