“They both defied medical science to be on the field”

Ballygunner manager Jason Ryan was still pinching himself as he spoke with emotion to the local media on the return from Croke Park into the Village that was decked in red and black, explaining that everything wasn’t plain sailing in the build-up to Sunday’s All-Ireland Club Senior hurling final success over Loughrea.

A big crowd turned up in the car park of St. Mary’s Church to welcome home the heroes who earlier in the afternoon had lifted the Tommy Moore Cup for a second time in four years, and you could see how much it meant to everyone connected with the club.

Not even the shower of rain could ruin the atmosphere as Ryan and his dedicated panel of players took the plaudits after a remarkable year that saw them land 12 straight Waterford County hurling titles, a Munster title and a second All-Ireland.

Jason Ryan said, “This is still surreal, and to see so many people here is just amazing. In Waterford, we need to get on with winning things. The best way to get better at winning is to win more. You need to get into the habit of doing it.

“I’m still pinching myself. I’m in disbelief to be honest with you. It’s all mad. It’s brilliant. The talent is there, and we believed that they would be there abouts. I’m just delighted for them that they were able to fulfil the potential on the day and get the job done.” Ryan revealed that both Patrick Fitzgerald and Kevin Mahony did remarkably well to get back for the final. “Patrick and Kevin both hurt their hamstrings in the semi-final win over St. Martin’s. They’ve done phenomenal work to get back for today. David Browne and Derek O’Neill have been working hard to ensure that they could play.

“They are Waterford players as well, and they’ve been getting great support from Michael O’Sullivan as well. We done everything to get them back on time. The fact that both of them were on the field showed that they defied medical science to return.

“We made a decision a number of days ago that they were going to play, and that was that. It’s just phenomenal that they were both on the field.”