Ballygunner shake off cobwebs to power on in Munster

Ballygunner (Waterford) 2-20 Sarsfields (Cork) 0-09

Ballygunner began their bid for a third Munster title on the trot with a 17-point demolition of Cork champions Sarsfields.

They made use of the gale at their backs to build up a nine-point half-time lead and held the Rebel representatives to just three points against the wind.

Dessie Hutchinson was key to their efforts, contributing four points and setting up goals in either half for Peter Hogan and Kevin Mahony.

It sets up a rematch with Limerick kingpins Na Piarsaigh, a pairing that is meeting for the fifth time in the past eight championships.

Sarsfields had to prepare away from their Glanmire base since flooding ruined their pitch in the days following their Cork title but disrupted preparation aside, they will be disappointed with this showing. They didn't manage to put two scores together all day without a Ballygunner response.

The 10-in-a-row Waterford champions' return from an eight-week break was managed with customary ease. They burst out of the traps by racing into a 1-04 to 0-01 lead in front of 2,596 spectators at Walsh Park.

While Sarsfields stuck by their short puck-outs, the Gunners used the wind at their backs to bombard the opposition full-back line.

Stephen O’Keeffe launched four long in a row and the first resulted in a goal. It was all too easy as Hutchinson won the ball uncontested and Hogan was all alone to finish to the net.

Patrick Fitzgerald and Hutchinson would add points direct from long puck-outs and Hutchinson almost had a goal from another Garryowen but Conor O’Sullivan got himself in the way.

Aaron Myers struck five points to keep Sars alive but they could never thread a pair of scores together without a Ballygunner response in between.

Barry