As soon as Ballyhale Shamrocks surrendered their crown in Kilkenny last week Ballygunner were installed as favourites for the All-Ireland, and there was nothing here to test that assertion. For all the romance we attach to county championships, the provincial scene is littered with predictable outcomes these days and the Waterford champions have become bullish leaders of that trend., but their manager Johnny Crowley was making no excuses.
All that was visible to the naked eye was Ballygunner’s overwhelming power and control. For the third year in a row they have won their opening game in the Munster championship by at least 17 points, and to rack up such a formidable score on a windy day, with torrential downpours, was hugely impressive.Will Ireland’s technical recession morph into a real one?
Ballygunner are a team for all seasons. There was a lovely covering of grass in Walsh Park, but it was a like a marshmallow just below the surface, and as soon as the rain came in the second half the pitch started to cut up and play hell with everyone’s footing. It made no odds to Ballygunner. Dessie Hutchinson and the sorcerer’s apprentice, Patrick Fitzgerald, shared nine points between them, and Hutchinson played the scoring pass for both goals too. Sars never got to grips with either of them.Aaron Myers was the only Sars player who posed a consistent threat, but all over the field the Cork champions were out-manoeuvred and out-muscled. Even in challenging conditions Ballygunner move the ball with terrific efficiency and trust. In so many ways, Sars were schooled.
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