Ballygunner ensure Munster mission stays on track

Doon (Limerick) 0-20 Ballygunner (Waterford) 0-25

Waterford kingpins Ballygunner kept alive their search for a fourth Munster title in a row thanks to a hard-fought five-point win over first-time Limerick champions Doon at the TUS Gaelic Grounds on Sunday.

Doon, who were crowned Limerick senior hurling champions for the first time the previous Sunday, led by four points at half-time before Ballygunner, boosted by seven points without response in the third quarter, outscored the Limerick champions by 0-17 to 0-8 in the final half-hour to run out eventual winners.

Carrying his form from last weekend into this Munster quarter-final, Limerick youngster Adam English top-scored for Doon with 0-10, giving Derek McGrath's side a fighting chance.

However, it was the impressive Pauric Mahony who proved to be the difference with the lively 32-year-old centre half-forward in unstoppable form throughout the clash, scoring an impressive 0-11 for Ballygunner.

Both sides were level on four separate occasions in the opening 25 minutes, but the momentum quickly swung in the favour of Doon, who, backed by a rapturous home support, scored four of the last five scores of the opening half to take a surprising, but deserved four-point lead into the break.

Conor Sheahan had opened the scoring for Ballygunner on six minutes with a fine effort from deep after Doon had hit three wides in the opening five, but Sheahan's effort was almost immediately cancelled out by English's first of the afternoon.

Despite being major underdogs and having only played their county final seven days previously, Doon really grew into the opening half from here on in against a Ballygunner side who looked rusty having been crowned Waterford champions over two months ago.

Engl