Ballygunner cruise into Munster semi-final after comfortable victory over Kilruane McDonaghs

Ballygunner 4-19 Kilruane McDonaghs 0-14

Ballygunner marched on in Munster yet again as the All-Ireland champions saw off a spirited Kilruane McDonaghs at Walsh Park this afternoon.

The Gunners reminded everyone why they are the All-Ireland champions as they coasted in the end with seventeen points to spare, with 2-2 for Kevin Mahony and 1-4 for Patrick Fitzgerald.

18-year-old Fitzgerald started his first half scoring spree when he grabbed the day's first point following some great fielding in the opening minute.

The Tipperary champions bit back instantly when Cian Darcy fired over from space, and the teams traded scores again in the opening exchanges when Darcy’s second in as many minutes cancelled out Pauric Mahony’s first from play.

Liam O’Kelly’s men could well have found themselves a goal to the good within four minutes, were it not for some heroic defensive work from Ronan Power to deny Jerome Cahill.

Dessie Hutchinson then took it upon himself to punish that wasted opportunity, as the Waterford star knocked over three points in succession, having been picked out by Peter Hogan and Kevin Mahony. His third effort in three minutes was the pick of the bunch as he spun and turned his man inside out before splitting the posts.

A first free of the afternoon for Pauric Mahony pushed the All-Ireland champions four ahead, but a superb individual effort from Niall O’Meara reminded the Déise side that they certainly had a game on their hands.

Willie Cleary’s free further dented their advantage, and it would have been a far bigger one from the resulting puckout were it not for some incredible goalkeeping by Paidí Williams.

Stephen O’Keeffe picked out Conor Sheahan who sprayed a quarterback pass to Hutchinson, he played in Kevin Mahony