John Horgan on hurling: Ballygunner in Walsh Park will be Sars' toughest test yet but they can survive it

The standard of club hurling differs in many counties, it’s easier maybe to win the county championship in some more than it is in others.

That’s not saying it’s a stroll in the park anywhere and the right to accept the trophy at the conclusion of the season has to be earned. If a club wins their county title two, three, four or more years running, the achievement is looked upon as staggering and it should be.

So, what word in the English dictionary is used when a club wins the title a dozen years running?

Astonishing, extraordinary, stupendous are just three that spring readily to mind, there are many more that would be appropriate.

Well, Ballygunner have done just that, two months ago they retained the Waterford county SHC and in doing so completed the 12-in-a-row.

Being honest, there are no words to describe how they have managed to do that, the desire to keep the show on the road for that length of time that surely sets them far apart from all the rest.

One can only marvel at how they continue to lord it over all the rest down there, they have had a few close calls down the years but from within they have always found a way.

Sunday, on the ground that has become almost a second home to them, Walsh Park, they host Sarsfields in the semi-final of the Munster club championship.

In the other semi-final, the Tipperary champions Loughmore-Castleiney take on Éire Óg from Clare and in both instances the consensus is that little or nothing will divide the teams at the end.

Despite losing out to Sunday’s opponents last season, Ballygunner are shading it in the betting offices and the Tipperary team are slightly favoured against the Banner representatives.

Both games carry huge potential and as we go that bit deeper into the Winter months the difficulty in trying to forecast what might transpire becomes greater.

In the Walsh Park showdown between last season’s finalists, Ballygunner’s situation might be seen as being that more advantageous in so far as they have a game under their belt in more recent times after thrillingly overcoming Limerick’s Na Piarsaigh.

That day they had to exhibit all their battle hardness to get over the line and many believe that’s a plus for them before Sars arrive in Deise land.

Maybe it is, maybe it’s not and whilst Sars have been championship inactive since defeating Midleton in the Cork decider one can be certain sure that the hard yards have been put in in Riverstown by Johnny Crowley and Diarmuid O’Sullivan.

Sars didn’t manage to go the full distance in Croke Park last season but their journey in Munster was hugely successful.

Since they came in from the cold on Leeside back in 2008 that final win over Ballygunner was, arguably, one of their finest performances.

Shane O’Regan, the substitute introduced after 44 minutes was the story of that day in Thurles, delivering the grand total of 2-3 in an unforgettable 16 minutes for him. One of the club’s true greats, Danny Kearney and the hugely impressive Jack O’Connor shared 1-6 between them in what was tremendous display from the squad as a whole.

That defeat cut deeply in Ballygunner but 12 months later they are getting the opportunity to set the record straight. In fact, that loss is certain to be an energiser as they go forth again against the same opponents.

Both teams are backboned by players of vast experience, quite a few of them having encountered each other on the intercounty stage. Conor O’Sullivan has been a phenomenal presence in the Sars defence for so long, so too has Craig Leahy and, of course, Kearney.

Jack O’Connor is standing up more and more to be counted and his scores have been major contributory factors in the success story.

He will have a big role to play in Ben O’Connor’s Cork plans.

This Sars unit is a blend of vast experience and more youthful exhubence and despite losing a few key players since last season for various reasons their squad depth has ensured that the replacements fit in seamlessly.

Ballygunner had to pull out all the stops to see off Limerick’s Na Piarsaigh and it was their big players who led by example.

StephenO’Keeffe hadn’t a whole pile to do against Na Piarsaigh but he remains a top-notch ‘keeper and his premature retirement from the intercounty scene was a huge loss to Watherford.

Philip Mahony, Peter Hogan, Paddy Leavy, Kevin Mahony, Dessie Hutchinson and Patrick Fitzgerald are all tried and trusted Ballygunner operators and if Pauric Mahony returns from injury the odds on them progressing will surely shorten.

CRUCIAL

When he’s absent, there’s a lack of consistency from the placed ball sometimes, emphasising again the importance of a free-taker from 70, 80 yards out.

Sars victory in last season’s final will provide them with the belief that they are a match for the best of opponents and they have been ultra consistent on Leeside for some time now.

Sunday’s game should be a case of when the going gets tough, the tough get going and conditions at this juncture in the season can be a factor.

Nothing comes easy in these club championship games and we saw Ballyhale-Shamrocks receive a searching test from the Offaly champions Kilcormac-Killoughy before emerging victorious last Sunday.

And whatever transpires in the two Munster semi-finals on Sunday and in the final there will be new All-Ireland champions after Na Fianna’s loss to St Martin’s of Wexford, that result a big boost for the game in the Model County. The only certainty about any of these club championship games is the uncertainty and every game in both provinces and in Connacht and Ulster too is huge test of a team’s credentials, i.e. nothing comes easy.

But it is a great championship, maybe not in front of large attendances but it is of considerable interest to hurling followers across the country.

Sars face the ultimate test at this point in time on Sunday but they have the quality and the right blend to pass it.

When Ballygunner overcame Na Piarsaigh, they immediately set their sights on the Cork champions and trying to ensure that the outcome would be different in this second instalment between the two. It’s surely going to be a game that will have a captive audience.

Loughmore-Castleiney will see their semi-final against Éire Óg as the perfect opportunity to extend their season.

Hurler of the Year, John McGrath and brothers Noel and Brian plus other members of the extended family will lead the charge and they exhibited their credentials in the Tipp final against Holycross/Ballycahill.

The Clare champions have Shane O’Donnell as the big attacking threat and having been without in the Banner County for 35 years they are now in bonus territory that bit more than the other three contenders.

Without any great conviction, we’ll go for another Cork v Tipp final.

Verdict: Sars and Loughmore-Castleiney.