Fourmilewater show greater experience to land Junior B county crown
Fourmilewater players and supporters celebrate after they defeated Ballygunner in their J.J Kavanagh & Sons Junior B hurling Co. Final played in Lemybrien. Photos: Maurice Hennebry
Experience proved the decisive factor as Fourmilewater claimed the JJ Kavanagh & Sons County Junior B Hurling Championship title with a deserved ten-point victory over Ballygunner in Páirc Naomh Bríd, Lemybrien, on Saturday.
The West Waterford side always looked the more composed outfit and their greater know-how at key stages ultimately saw them pull clear of a youthful Ballygunner fourth team. Fourmilewater led by eight points at the interval and, despite a spirited response from the city side after the restart, they never looked in serious danger of relinquishing their advantage.
The sides were evenly matched during the opening quarter, with the score level on five occasions. Padraig Byrne opened the scoring for Fourmilewater from a free before Ross Nolan replied with a placed ball at the other end. Nolan then edged Ballygunner in front from play, but Byrne again levelled from a free.
Adam Queally and Thomas O'Gorman traded scores as the contest settled into an entertaining rhythm. Gavin Buckley and Michael O'Sullivan also found the target before Byrne nudged Fourmilewater ahead again on 20 minutes. Nolan's third point of the half quickly restored parity, but Ballygunner's resistance was about to be tested.
Fourmilewater had threatened earlier when David Ryan forced Sean Fitzgerald into an important block, but the breakthrough finally arrived on 25 minutes. DJ McGrath supplied the pass and veteran forward Thomas O'Gorman made no mistake, firing to the net for the game's opening goal and a three-point cushion.
The goal gave Fourmilewater fresh momentum. They continued to pour forward and after further pressure yielded a point from McGrath, they struck a second major blow just before the interval. Diarmuid Fahy set up Michael O'Sullivan, who rifled home to leave the West Waterford men seven points clear. Darragh Morrissey added a late point to complete a dominant finish to the half as Fourmilewater went in leading 2-8 to 0-6.
Byrne stretched the margin immediately after the restart, but Ballygunner responded impressively. Points from James Lennon and Ben Power, both from frees, helped reduce the deficit before Ross Nolan sparked hopes of a comeback when he finished to the net after good work down the banking side of the pitch.
With Ballygunner gaining momentum, Fourmilewater introduced former Waterford hurler Shane Walsh, a move that proved highly influential. Byrne steadied matters with another free before Fourmilewater struck for the decisive score of the afternoon.
Midway through the second half, Oran Sheehan picked out Diarmuid Fahy and the midfielder finished clinically to the net, restoring a commanding advantage at 3-10 to 1-8.
Ben Power replied with another long-range free, while David Ryan pointed at the opposite end. Ballygunner continued to battle and nearly found another goal, but Fourmilewater goalkeeper Sean McGrath produced an excellent save from Adam Queally to preserve his side's healthy lead.
Queally did eventually raise a green flag on 53 minutes, firing home Ballygunner's second goal, but it proved their final score of the match. Fourmilewater dominated the closing stages, with the introduction of Walsh adding fresh energy and experience to their attack.
Walsh and Fahy landed points as Fourmilewater regained complete control before Walsh struck again. Padraig Walsh also got on the scoresheet, while substitute Tommy Cooney rounded off the scoring to cap an impressive Fourmilewater display.
Overall, Fourmilewater were deserving winners. Their physicality, experience and ability to seize key moments, particularly with the two first-half goals, laid the foundations for victory and county final success.
Padraig Byrne 0-6 (4f), Thomas O'Gorman 1-1, Michael O'Sullivan 1-1, Diarmuid Fahy 1-1, David Ryan 0-2, Shane Walsh 0-2, DJ McGrath 0-1, Darragh Morrissey 0-1, Tommy Cooney 0-1.
Ross Nolan 1-3, Adam Queally 1-1, James Lennon 0-2 (2f), Ben Power 0-2 (2f), Gavin Buckley 0-1.
Sean McGrath; Eamon Wall, Conal Mulcahy, Michael Moore; Sheamie Wall, Andrew Ryan, Ger Long; Diarmuid Fahy, David Ryan; Oran Sheehan, Thomas O'Gorman, Padraig Byrne; DJ McGrath, Michael O'Sullivan, Darragh Morrissey.
Liam Cooney for Michael Moore (14), Shane Walsh for Darragh Morrissey (41), Tommy Cooney for DJ McGrath (51).
Ben Power; Sean Fitzgerald, Tommy Gear, Daniel Purcell; Dara Traynor, Jeff Frampton, Cian O'Reilly; Luke Murphy, Kyle Sloan; Ross Nolan, Fionn Aylward, David Cullen; Adam Queally, James Lennon, Gavin Buckley.
Ollie Sharp for Fionn Aylward (51), John Kavanagh for Daniel Purcell (55).
Martin Curran (Old Parish).
