Ballygunner are back into the Munster final as Pauirc Mahony scored an incredible 0-13 to defeat Limerick champions Na Piarsaigh 2-20 to 2-15.
Mahony was crucial for the Waterford champions as they produced a massive second half performance to keep alive their defence of their All-Ireland title.
In a first-half performance that saw them concede 2-11, they tightened up their defence massively in the second half and conceded just 0-4 to stage a big second half comeback.
A huge part of that comeback was Pauirc Mahony, who scored an incredible 0-13, 0-7 of which was from play to lead his side to victory. Speaking after the game, he praised his side for their second half performance, particularly in defense.
Lán Ama
“Huge Team performance in that second half” 👌
Is é Pauric Mahony laoch na hImeartha inniu!
Comhghairdeas leat Pauric! 👏 @ballygunnerHc #GAABEO #TheToughest @GAA_BEO | @officialgaa | @AIB_GAA
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/6my0x9o5C7— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) November 20, 2022
We said it at half-time we actually did a lot right in that first half as well. We were up against a serious team, if you just look down through their team is a lot of lads with three or four All-Ireland with Limerick.
They were going to have their purple patches and we were going to have ours. We just stuck to the process, that's what we are good at.
We see it every internal game we have with Ballygunner, the calibre of players in our defence, their putting us by the collar every internal game we play so I'm not surprised when you hear them stats. All round I just think it was a huge team performance in that second half."
BallyGunner Second Half Comeback
In a trilling Munster Senior Hurling Championship semi-final, it was the Limerick champions who raced into a quick three point lead after seven minutes, before Dessie Hutchinson's well-taken goal got Ballygunner back on track.
13 nóim@NapGAA 0-06@ballygunnerHc 1-02
"Ní raibh ach seans ag teastáil ó Dessie" 👌
Dessie Hutchinson closes the gap to a point following a beautiful finish! 🤩#GAABEO #TheToughest @GAA_BEO | @officialgaa | @AIB_GAA
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/R0qgQvp69K— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) November 20, 2022
However, the Limerick side took the game to Ballygunner and looked like they were about to cause a huge shock when Conor Boylan scored their second goal to give them a 2-10 to 1-8 lead 25 minutes into the game.
They took a 2-11 to 1-9 lead, and looked to be on course to knock the Waterford champions out of the championship.
However, showed through championship mentality in the second half, with 1-4 in the first 10 minutes of the second half to draw them level, with Patrick Fitzgerald's goal leading the charge.
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
A combination of brilliant defending and the points of Mahony lead them to victory, and another Munster final date with Ballyea in two weeks time.
SEE ALSO: Watch: Kevin Mahony Scores Unique Goal In Ballygunner's Win Over Kilruane McDonaghs
