Sarsfields stun Ballygunner for first Munster title

Sarsfields (Cork) 3-20 Ballygunner (Waterford) 2-19

Super-sub Shane O'Regan was the hero as Sarsfields completed a shock for the ages to dethrone three-in-a-row Munster champions Ballygunner and blow the All-Ireland race wide open.

O’Regan was introduced in the 45th minute and proceeded to blast 2-03 to send the Cork supporters into ecstasy.

They were never led but his goals in the 56th and 59th minutes were vital to ward off any Ballygunner comeback.

Despite losing the Cork final to divisional side Imokilly, Sars’ superb recovery crowns them the first Rebel winners since Newtownshandrum in 2009.

The scoreline was a dramatic reversal of their 17-point hammering by Ballygunner in last year’s Munster quarter-final and Cork clubs' eight-year losing streak prior to this campaign.

They will take equal pride that the Billy O'Neill Cup, dedicated to the club’s founder, will travel home to Riverstown for the first time in its history, with Conor O’Sullivan lifting the trophy as captain.

The remarkable victory also wraps up a clean sweep of Munster club hurling titles for Cork following the junior and intermediate successes of Russell Rovers and O’Regan’s former club Watergrasshill.

Sars will now advance to face the Ulster champions in an All-Ireland semi-final.

They brought thunderous intensity right from the start and reeled off the first four points: from Luke Elliott, Daniel Kearney, Cathal McCarthy, and Daniel Hogan, the latter after a well-timed block by Cian Darcy.

Pauric Mahony got the Gunners on the board but a major blow arrived in the fifth minute when Elliott sent Jack O’Connor into the clear. He switched onto his left to wrongfoot the keeper for a 1-04 to 0-01 lead.

Ballygunner began to settle with four in a row as Dessie