Super Socky inspires Gunners to comeback victory
Dessie Hutchinson of Ballygunner is dispossessed by Richie English of Doon during the AIB Munster GAA Senior Club Hurling Championship quarter-final match between Doon and Ballygunner at TUS Gaelic Grounds in Limerick. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Two stupendous second half saves from Stephen O'Keeffe inspired Ballygunner to a come from behind victory against a never say die Doon under the Sunday night lights in Limerick.
The men in black trailed the newly crowned Limerick champions by five after 31 minutes but prevailed by five in the end. The Gunners were four adrift when Jack Ryan bore down on goal but 'Socky' showed incredible reflexes to turn his shot away. He leapt to the rescue again four minutes from the end to deny Pat Ryan. The team chasing four Munsters in a row outscored their opponents 17-8 in a stunning second half turnaround.
Doon showed no signs of the exuberant celebrations that followed their first county title. They threw the kitchen sink at the Gunners and frustrated their marquee forwards. The red and white supporters among the 2,617 fed off the intensity shown on the field. Free scoring wing back Chris Thomas shot four points from play as the locals led 13-8 a minute into the second half. Adam English carried on his county final form while Darragh O'Donovan rolled up his sleeves at midfield and thundered into tackles.
O'Keeffe's jaw dropping save from Jack Ryan and seven unanswered points flipped the game in Ballygunner's favour during the third quarter. Conor Sheahan emerged as the dominance force at midfield. The skipper scored, assisted and won frees.
Dessie Hutchinson's move to wing forward also paid off. The number ten struck five second half points including astonishing efforts from both sidelines. The ever prolific Pauric Mahony finished the hour on eleven points. The third year in a row he has hit double digits at the Gaelic Grounds.
Doon never gave up. With four minutes left, Pat Ryan closed in on the Ballygunner posts but O'Keeffe got down low to save again. Barry Coughlan deflected the follow-up effort from Gareth Thomas away for a 65.
Ten games unbeaten in Munster now for the Gunners who welcome Tipperary victors Loughmore-Castleiney to Walsh Park in the last four on November 17
