Power and Spain inspire Ballygunner to county minor glory
The Ballygunner team celebrated after Waterford GAA Board chairman Neil Moore presented the cup to joint captains James Comerford and Jack Power.
Jack Power and Cormac Spain inspired Ballygunner to a thrilling victory over a determined Roanmore side in the JJ Kavanagh & Sons County Minor Division 1 Final at Azzurri Walsh Park on Wednesday evening.
With less than ten minutes remaining, Ballygunner held a slender 1-15 to 1-14 advantage before finishing strongly, outscoring their opponents by 1-6 to 1-1 down the stretch to secure what was a first county title for this group of players.
Joint captains James Comerford and Jack Power, who have lined out together since the age of four, later reflected on the achievement, having come through the grades without winning silverware. Their perseverance was finally rewarded with a title 13 years in the making.
Roanmore, however, will feel they let an opportunity slip away. A series of costly wides at crucial stages, coupled with the concession of two goals at key moments, ultimately proved decisive.
The city side made the brighter start, racing into a four-point lead inside the opening seven minutes. Dylan Murphy opened the scoring with an excellent effort on four minutes before Daniel Ryan added another fine point from distance. Goalkeeper Jake Power then landed a long-range free, while Eoin Burke capitalised on a misplaced clearance to make it 0-4 to 0-0.
Ballygunner gradually settled and got on the scoreboard through a James Comerford free on 12 minutes. Moments later, Enda Bloomer gathered a long delivery from Adam Mills and finished expertly to the net to put the Gunners right back in contention.
Cian O'Sullivan edged Ballygunner ahead for the first time shortly afterwards, but Roanmore responded immediately. Sean Power turned provider for Steven Cooke, whose powerful finish beat Darragh Duffy and restored his side's advantage at 1-4 to 1-2.
Points from Keelan Brown and the influential Murphy stretched the Roanmore lead by the 20th minute, but Ballygunner responded impressively with four unanswered scores through Andrew Power (two), Jack Power and Enda Bloomer.
The sides were level again on 28 minutes when Eoin Burke converted a 65 after Duffy failed to gather a Comerford delivery. However, Ballygunner struck the final two scores of the half through Andrew Power and Jack O'Sullivan to take a 1-9 to 1-7 lead into the interval.
The Gunners carried that momentum into the second half, extending their advantage to five points, 1-14 to 1-9, courtesy of scores from Mathew Flynn, O'Sullivan, Darragh Hickey and Eoin Kelly.
Roanmore refused to fold and, inspired by Murphy and Burke, gradually worked their way back into contention. Their resurgence reduced the deficit to two before Ballygunner introduced county minor star Cormac Spain for his first appearance since last year's All-Ireland Minor Final.
Spain made an immediate impact, splitting the posts with his first touch on 46 minutes. Burke answered with two excellent scores of his own to leave the minimum between the sides, 1-15 to 1-14, entering the final ten minutes.
That score galvanised Ballygunner.
The decisive moment arrived from a Darragh Duffy puck-out. Jack Power fielded superbly, burst clear of the Roanmore defence and rifled an unstoppable shot past Jake Power to open up breathing space.
With Spain and Power continuing to drive Ballygunner forward, the champions steadily pulled away. By the time Michael Moloney added a late point, Ballygunner led 2-21 to 1-15. Cillian McHugh grabbed a consolation goal in the closing moments, but the outcome was already beyond doubt.
At the final whistle, County Board chairman Neil Moore presented the cup to joint captains James Comerford and Jack Power. The latter was also named player of the match after a commanding display, producing his best hurling when the contest hung in the balance.
Jack Power 1-4 (1f), Andrew Power 0-4 (2f), Enda Bloomer 1-1, Cormac Spain 0-3 (1f), Eoin Kelly 0-2, Cian O’Sullivan 0-2, James Comerford, Darragh Hickey, Jack O’Sullivan, Michael Moloney, Mathew Flynn 0-1 each.
Eoin Burke 0-6 (4f, 1’65), Dylan Murphy 0-5, Steven Cooke 1-0, Cillian McHugh 1-0, Jake Power, Daniel Ryan, Keelan Brown, Adam Dobbyn 0-1 each.
Darragh Duffy; Richard Crowley, Adam Mills, Callum Crowley; James Comerford, Darragh Hickey, Eoin Kelly; Jack O’Sullivan, Eddie O’Reilly; Andrew Power, Jack Power, Cian O’Sullivan; Michael Moloney, Mathew Flynn, Enda Bloomer.
Joey O’Brien for Richard Crowley (17), Cormac Spain for Enda Bloomer (43), Conor Sherlock for Jack O’Sullivan (59).
Jake Power; Tom Halligan, Ben O’Riordan, Richard Keane; Dylan McNamara, Éanna McHugh, Noah McCormack; Darragh Hearne, Daniel Ryan; Keelan Brown, Eoin Burke, Sean Power; Harry Hennessy, Dylan Murphy, Steven Cooke.
Adam Dobbyn for Sean Power (h/t), Cillian McHugh for Keelan Brown (54).
Jack Bray (St. Saviours).
