Preview- Ballygunner revenge mission a big focus for Shamrocks

It’s the game the entire country has been waiting to see. Shamrocks and Ballygunner will resume their storied rivalry in a crunch All-Ireland semi-final meeting at Croke Park on Sunday (throw-in 3.30pm, live on TG4).

Unlike previous meetings it’s Ballygunner who are very much the team to beat after they beat their Kilkenny rivals in last February’s All-Ireland final.

The way that game was won only adds to the intrigue of this weekend as Ballygunner - and more to the point Harry Ruddle - practically ripped the heart out of the Shamrocks players’ bodies when the substitute snatched the All-Ireland success for the ’Gunners.

Time seemed to stand still and Croke Park practically shook when the ball found the bottom corner of Dean Mason’s net. Make no mistake about it, it’s not a day that Shamrocks will have erased from their mind very easily.

This was Shamrocks trying to go where no club team had dared to as they strived to win a third successive All-Ireland title.

After wins over St Thomas in 2019 and Borris-Illeigh in 2020, the Kilkenny side looked set to create further history but, alas, they fell up just short.

The emotion of that spring afternoon was there for all to see on the day. One wonders what impact will that game have when the foes collide for the second time in 11 months.

So, what’s changed since then?

Well, in strictly winning terms, not a lot really but there has been a management change with Mullinavat native and former Kilkenny minor boss Pat Hoban replacing the departed James O’Connor as Shamrocks manager.

In some ways it was a big challenge for Hoban to try and replicate what both O’Connor and Henry Shefflin have achieved in the past, but to date you can have no issues.

Colin Fennelly gets away from Ballygunner duo Shane O’Sullivan and Philip O’Mahony of Ballygunner during the 2022 club All-Ireland final at Croke Park Picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Shamrocks may have missed out on the glamour and history of an All-Ireland three-in a row but they weren’t going to miss out domestically as they made it five Kilkenny senior hurling titles on the trot when they beat James Stephens in convincing fashion. Down the road in Waterford, Ballygunner also continued their county dominance when their 2-11 to 0-8 victory over Mount Sion which ensured they were celebrating for a ninth year in a row.

The provincial campaigns were less straightforward for both and while the two sides won three games each, it was certainly less clearcut.

Shamrocks looked imperious when accounting for Westmeath champions Castletown-Geoghegan in their Leinster opener as they scored 5-25 in an emphatic display.

That win ensured a Croke Park return for the Leinster semi-final, but it’s from here that the wheels began to fall off their effort a little. While they had 12 points to spare over Kildare side Naas, the manner of their victory certainly wasn’t inspiring.

Naas put in an inspirational first half performance that saw them run the Shamrocks defence ragged at different stages and a more clinical side may have scored more than just the one goal.

A TJ Reid penalty eventually settled the Shamrocks before second half goals from Eoin Cody and Joey Cuddihy put the seal on a 3-22 to 1-16 success.

The deficiencies in that last four clash looked to be resolved when they ran riot in the first half of the Leinster decider against Kilmacud Crokes.

Helped by a well taken Colin Fennelly goal, the Kilkenny champions opened up a 1-15 to 0-7 lead and while that advantage was increased in the opening minutes of the second period, it wasn’t long until a revitalised Kilmacud Crokes side battled back.

Quickfire goals from Alex Considine and Caolan Conway got the Dublin side back to within a point but a fortunate Eoin Kennally goal got the Shamrocks over the line as they secured a fourth Leinster crown in five seasons.

Ballygunner also had a hard-fought route before advancing to the All-Ireland semi-final. Their run began with a 4-19 to 0-14 dismantling of Tipp champions Kilruane MacDonaghs.

The Ballygunner goals came courtesy of Kevin Mahony (2), Patrick Fitzgerald and All-Ireland hero Harry Ruddle.

That victory secured a mouthwatering Munster semi-final meeting with a Na Piarsaigh side that included Limerick All-Ireland winners Mike Casey, Will O’Donoghue and Peter Casey.

After a power-packed opening half display from Na Piarsaigh, the Limerick side looked perfectly equipped to bring an end to Ballygunner’s tenure as Munster and All-Ireland champions but like they proved earlier this year, the current crop at Ballygunner players are full of character and resolve and they turned the game on its head in the second half.

Trailing by four points at half-time the All-Ireland champions were under big pressure but they stood up to the mark as 13 points from Pauric Mahony and goals from Patrick Fitzgerald and Dessie Hutchinson saw them claim a 2-20 to 2-15 victory.

Tony Kelly and Ballyea followed in the Munster final. Although the Clare star pulled the strings in the first half, it still wasn’t enough as Ballygunner pulled away.

Not for the first time in 2022, Patrick Fitzgerald produced a big performance as he scored 1-4 from play.

Fitzgerald has been a huge find for the All-Ireland club champions, with the 18 year old proving to be a valuable foil alongside Dessie Hutchinson in a lethal full-forward line.

Darren Mullen tangles with Dessie Hutchinson during the 2022 final. The Ballygunner forward has been a big scoring threat for the Waterford club and will be one to watch in the semi-final. Picture: Stephen McCarthy/SPORTSFILE

Both Killian Corcoran and Niall Shortall are still in school at St Kieran’s College yet both played a big part in helping the Ballyhale side reach this stage of the competition.

Shamrocks injury ravaged year has rather accelerated Corcoran and Shortall’s emergence but there can be no doubting either player’s impact on the side.

Shortall has certainly given Shamrocks an extra dimension in attack with his pace and elusiveness proving to be a real asset. He scored a fantastic point in stoppage time at the end of the county final when he flicked the ball over the head of a James Stephens defender before arrowing the sliotar between the posts near the sideline.

Killian Corcoran, on the other hand, has joined older brother Darragh on the team and has played everywhere from corner back to midfield. Like Darragh, he’s very accomplished on the ball and takes everything in his stride.

The rise of Fitzgerald is a bit different as the Ballygunner demographic means that they have a much bigger playing pool than Shamrocks so for Darragh O’Sullivan to throw in an 18 year old tells you everything about the youngster’s talent.

All three will be making their first appearances in Croke Park on Sunday. While their youthful exuberance is crucial, it’s two very experienced sides coming face to face.

Despite only winning their first All-Ireland title last February, this is a Ballygunner team that has very much been on an upward trajectory over the last few seasons.

In Stephen O’Keeffe, Paraic Mahony, Phillip Mahony, Dessie Hutchinson and Barry Coughlan, Ballygunner have quality in all lines of the pitch. With the All-Ireland monkey off their back, they are now an even more dangerous opponent.

They are an immensely talented team of players, no matter what way you look at it - let’s not forget that the Mahonys are first cousins of the Shamrocks’ Reid brothers - but make no mistake, there is a bit of needle going into this one.

Colin Fennelly’s comments about being disrespected by Ballygunner has certainly stoked the fire and a Shamrocks side with something to prove is a very dangerous animal.

While the Kilkenny side have been inconsistent over the course of the year, they were still the better team in the All-Ireland final. They will feel that if they play to their potential, then they will be looking forward to a fourth consecutive decider.

Shamrocks’ big advantage is the firepower they display up front. They know that if Adrian Mullen, TJ Reid, Eoin Cody and Colin Fennelly all catch fire, that it will take a very good team to beat them.

While they have the firepower to blow away most teams in the country, it’s in defence where the question marks remain. If Ballygunner are able to open Shamrocks up like Naas and Kilmacud Crokes did then it could spell big trouble.

With Colin Fennelly and Joey Holden set to go travelling at the conclusion of the championship and the advancing years of the likes of TJ Reid, this could be seen as one last big push for the Shamrocks before a new generation comes along.

It may clash with the FIFA World Cup final and while that is far from ideal, it’s still a game not to be missed in what is sure to be an early Christmas treat.

Previous Meetings

A precious score, goals have also been decisive when the Shamrocks and Ballygunner have locked horns lately.

The sides met in the All-Ireland semi-final in 2019, with Shamrocks winning 1-15 to 0-13 thanks in the main to Eoin Cody’s 44th minute goal. It was a decisive score as both defences had been on top before Cody grabbed the only three-pointer in Thurles.

Scorers

Shamrocks - Eoin Cody (1-4); TJ Reid (0-4, 0-3 frees); Adrian Mullen, Patrick Mullen, Eoin Reid (0-2 each); Evan Shefflin (0-1).

Ballygunner - Pauric Mahony (0-10, 0-9 frees, 0-1 65), Brian O’Sullivan (0-2), Peter Hogan 0-1.

A goal proved to be worth its weight in gold when the clubs collided in the All-Ireland final in February of this year. This time victory was Ballygunner’s, as Harry Ruddle ended a break from his own half with a low drive that rocketed into the Shamrocks net right at the death, giving the Waterford side a one-point win on a 2-17 to 1-19 scoreline.

SCORERS

Ballygunner - Pauric Mahony (0-7, frees); Dessie Hutchinson (1-3); Harry Ruddle (1-0); Mikey Mahony (0-3); Billy O’Keeffe, Kevin Mahony (0-2 each).

Shamrocks - TJ Reid (0-8, 0-4 frees, 0-2 65); Eoin Reid (1-0); Adrian Mullen, Evan Shefflin (0-2 each); Richie Reid, Darragh Corcoran, Patrick Mullen, Brian Cody, Colin Fennelly, Eoin Cody, Joey Cuddihy (0-1 each).