A sermon from the Mount

Mount Sion ... 1-19 Ballygunner ... 2-14 Mount Sion regained the Waterford senior hurling title at Walsh Park yesterday at the end of a poor quality final redeemed only by a few classy performances and an exciting climax.

The winners, collecting their 32nd championship at the expense of the reigning county and Munster title holders, looked the better side all through. But nevertheless it was nail-biting stuff at the finish as Ballygunner chased an equalising score.

Mount Sion led by 1-9 to 0-5 at the interval, the goal coming from Eoin McGrath who soloed through before blasting to the net in the 21st minute.

A goal from Andy Moloney, Ballygunner's best player, eight minutes into the second half cut the deficit to a goal and put his team back into contention.

But quick replies from Eoin Kelly and Ken McGath, Mount Sion's top players, set the men in blue back on track.

They still held a five-point lead entering injury time, but then Paul Flynn rifled a 30-metres free to the net and after Kelly pointed to restore a three-point advantage, Flynn got another free from a similar distance.

This time his dipping shot skimmed the crossbar and it was all over.

MOUNT SION: I O'Regan; J O'Meara, A Kirwan, B Flannery; J Cleere, T Browne (0-1), B Greene, E Kelly (0-6); R McGrath, E McGrath (1-0); K McGrath (0-11, eight frees), M Frisby, S Ryan (0-1), J Meaney, B Browne. Subs: D Kelly for B Browne; P Fanning for Meaney.

BALLYGUNNER: R Whitty; N O'Donnell, A Kirwan, R O'Sullivan; S Frampton, F Hartley, C Kehoe; T Fives (0-1), A Moloney (1-0); M Mahony, A Ahearne (0-4), P Flynn (1-6, 1-4 from frees); B O'Sullivan (0-1), P Foley, D O'Sullivan. Subs: P Power (0-1) for Foley; G Cullinane (0-1) for D O'Sullivan; Foley for Mahony.

Referee: Wadding (Roanmore).