PREVIEW: Loughmore Castleiney ready to take a swing at reigning Munster champions

Loughmore Castleiney will have memories of 2021 as they prepare for another crack at Waterford and Munster champions Ballygunner this coming Sunday in Walsh Park, Waterford.

The last time these two clubs met in the Munster Championship there was no shortage of drama and talking points, especially if you are of the Loughmore Castleiney persuasion. That day, referee Johnny Murphy brandished two red cards for the McGrath brothers, John and Noel, on a turgid day down in the southeast.

Plenty of games have come and gone in that time, but you can be sure that the recently crowned Tipperary champions will be harnessing all of the anger, disappointment, and frustration from that encounter.

Ballygunner eventually won the game in what was a close encounter, with those dismissals swinging the result in their favour, and the Waterford club didn’t look back from there as they went on to hammer Kilmallock in the Munster final, before finishing the year with their very first All-Ireland title when a Harry Ruddle goal in the last throes of added time sent them to victory over Ballyhale Shamrocks.

So, with no end of motivation and an outspoken group of players who have highlighted their desire to impact the Munster Championships in both codes, they have been in preparation in recent weeks to put forward their best performances and the return of John Meagher highlights that ambition.

He has been training for the month ahead of the Munster games and will be in contention to feature in this game, having taken part in a recent challenge game against Carlow champions St. Mullin’s.

With the exception of county final goalscorer Paul McCahey - who picked up a finger injury in the Mid U21B hurling final loss to Boherlahan Dualla recently - the panel have a full bill of health ahead of the game.

Ballygunner were made to battle in their quarter-final clash with Limerick champions Doon but that was their first competitive action in nearly eight weeks after they claimed a record 11th senior county title back in early September.

The experience this team has accumulated is something else, and with the likes of Philip Mahony and Stephen O’Keeffe packing in their intercounty careers with a view to prolonging their club careers, they have serious motivation to continue their success at this level.

Loughmore Castleiney will go in as underdogs, but they will believe that this game is there for them if their good form continues.