Ruthless Ballygunner dismantle Clonlara to rule Munster again

Ballygunner (Waterford) 2-24 Clonlara (Clare) 0-17

Ballygunner's remarkable winning streak continued as they became the first club to achieve three Munster hurling titles in a row by dismantling first-time finalists Clonlara.

Two first-half goals in the space of five minutes from Dessie Hutchinson and a wonderful team move finished by Kevin Mahony opened up a gap which grew to 13 points by the final whistle in front of 2,981 fans.

Their record-equalling fifth O’Neill Cup also brings the Gunners joint-top of the roll of honour alongside Blackrock of Cork, who they beat to win their first crown back in 2001.

While their attack was led by the Mahony brothers, Pauric (0-10) and Kevin (1-04), Dessie Hutchinson (1-01), and man-of-the-match Peter Hogan (0-04), their defence has been equally exceptional.

In their three games, they have held the cream of Cork, Limerick, and Clare club hurling to an average of under 13 points per game.

Clonlara were off to a quick start when John Conlon pointed after seven seconds and Michael O’Loughlin’s first free doubled that lead before the Ballygunner charge came at full stream.

Stephen O’Keeffe’s puck-outs were too fast and too accurate to contain and the Waterford kingpins went on a scoring spree, firing 2-07 to 0-02 across the next 16 minutes.

They had four points in a row from Hogan, Kevin Mahony, and Pauric Mahony (0-02) and they gave a warning of their goal threat when corner-back Logan Ryan saved on the line from Kevin Mahony.

The first goal arrived in the 14th minute. Patrick Fitzgerald was fastest to a Clonlara sideline cut and his delivery was snatched from the air and bulleted to the net by Hutchinson.

Their next green flag, four minutes later, was a full team effort. From a short