The game between the Waterford champions and the Limerick champions at the Gaelic Grounds was one of the hurling matches of the year. Balllygunner came out on top but the game was a serious display of intense hurling.
In their Munster hurling semifinal, both Ballygunner and Na Piarsaigh showed amazing intensity to win the sliotar.
In a clip that was shared online by GAA analyst Ray Boyne, the Ballygunner goalkeeper hits the sliotar out for a puckout.
A Ballygunner player claims the sliotar from the puckout, however he does not keep it for long as he is immediately surrounded by Na Piarsaigh players.
The sliotar then breaks for Na Piarsaigh, but again they can't keep it for long as Ballygunner show the same intent as their opponents to get possession back.
Possession of the sliotar goes back and forward between the teams as both of them cannot keep it for long without being tackled by their opponents.
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"You're entitled to absolutely nothing in this game.
If you want it, you've got to work for it" pic.twitter.com/FlpFkbRkvT— Ray Boyne (@AnalysisGaa) November 20, 2022
The ref might have swallowed his whistle here, but it was all for the better.
Thriller
Considering the sheer intensity of both teams, it was no surprise that the match turned out to be a thriller.
Limerick champions Na Piarsaigh raced into a three-point lead with barely 7 minutes on the clock. However, reigning All Ireland champions Ballygunner fought back and 6 minutes later, they were only behind by one.
Na Piarsaigh widened the deficit back by a Conor Boylan goal after great teamwork in the 25th minute. The Limerick champions enjoyed the lead for the majority of the match. Despite the multiple setbacks, Ballygunner stayed in the game and a goal from Patrick Fitzgerald made it a one-point game again with 20 minutes remaining.
39 nóim@NapGAA 2-13@ballygunnerHc 2-12
Pointe idir na foirne anois - Cúl iontach ó Patrick Fitzgerald!
Ballygunner close the gap!👌#GAABEO #TheToughest @GAA_BEO | @officialgaa | @AIB_GAA
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/XdukbSoYBo— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) November 20, 2022
With the momentum behind them, Ballygunner outbattled their opponents and won on a scoreline of 2-20 to 2-15. Pauric Mahoney was instrumental in their comeback scoring 0-13.
Hugely Pleasing
Speaking after the match, Ballygunner manager Darragh O'Sullivan stated that his team's comeback in the second half against the wind was hugely pleasing.
Without a shadow of a doubt, we were asked questions today, they went 4 or 5 up in the first half, we brought it back. We went in at halftime, they were playing with the wind in the second half and we're five down. To do what we've done in the second half against a phenomenal team like them was hugely pleasing.
Next up for Ballygunner is the Clare champions Ballyea in the Munster Club final in a fortnight. With the intensity and mentality they have shown in this match, the reigning All Ireland champions will be hard to beat.
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