Ballygunner dug deep late on to snatch a 1-16 to 0-15 victory against Fourmilewater and clinch their 13th consecutive Waterford senior hurling championship title.

The All-Ireland champions were pushed all the way by their counterparts from The Nire, who were playing in their club’s first SHC final here, but ultimately it was Mark Hartley’s goal in the second minute of injury-time at Fraher Field that sealed a 25th crown for the Gunners.

Fourmilewater made a brilliant start to this enthralling decider, with the scores of Sean Walsh, Liam O’Brien and Aaron Ryan helping them to open up a 0-7 to 0-3 lead against the red-hot favourites.

Jason Ryan’s men came with a push after that and points from Dessie Hutchinson, Conor Tobin and Kevin Mahony would help to them to go in all square at the break (0-9 to 0-9).

The second-half saw Fourmile’ opening up a three-point lead again, with Stephen Ryan and marksman Aaron Ryan very much to the fore for them.

The scoreboard read 0-15 to 0-12 with eight minutes to go in Dungarvan and it was points by Pauric Mahony (free), Mikey Mahony and Kevin Mahony that brought Ballygunner level as the game ticked towards injury-time.

Kevin Mahony’s point drew a mighty roar from the contingent in red and black and Hartley’s goal 60 seconds later ensured that the dream was over for Fourmile’, as the Gunners stretched their unbeaten run in championship hurling to a remarkable 73 games.

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