Watch: Mahony goals get Ballygunner over the line as McGrath's see red for Loughmore

December 12, 2021

Ballygunner's Mikey Mahony in action against Loughmore-Castleiney. ©INPHO/Tom Maher.

Ballygunner qualified for their fourth successive Munster club SHC final after coming through a tenacious battle with 13-man Loughmore-Castleiney in wet and windy conditions in Dungarvan.

Goals either side of half-time from brothers Kevin and Mikey Mahony proved decisive as the 'Gunners prevailed on a scoreline of 2-11 to 0-12 at Fraher Field to set up a decider date against Kilmallock in the New Year. Man-of-the-match Dessie Hutchinson notched 0-5 for the winners and was instrumental in many other scores.

The sending off of Loughmore captain Noel McGrath late in the first-half was another major turning point as the Tipperary star received his marching orders from referee Johnny Murphy for an off-the-ball incident. The dual Tipperary champions were reduced to 13 men on 52 minutes when John McGrath was issued with a second yellow card.

Loughmore-Castleiney captain Noel McGrath is given a red card by referee Johnny Murphy. ©INPHO/Tom Maher.

With the strong breeze at their backs, the Waterford kingpins raced into 1-5 to 0-1 lead on 16 minutes after Paddy Leavy teed up Kevin Mahony for the opening goal. John McGrath responded with two frees for Loughmore but the dismissal of his brother left them with a mountain to climb. 

However, togging out for the 19th weekend in-a-row, Loughmore rose to the challenge and further placed balls from John McGrath had them just two points adrift at the break, 1-8 to 0-9. Tommy Maher's well-taken effort on the resumption reduced their deficit to the minimum before Ballygunner goalkeeper Stephen O’Keeffe stuck a 36th minute penalty wide.

Ballygunner bounced back moments later when Hutchinson provided the assist for Mikey Mahony's major, 2-11 to 0-10. The sides could only muster a single point each in the final quarter as John McGrath was sent to the stand after Loughmore had a big call for a penalty waved away.

Watch the key moments from an eventful Munster club SHC semi-final here:

 


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