Dessie Hutchinson hints at how a Clare hurling legend helped fuel Ballygunner

Speaking to TG4 after collecting the man-of-the-match award, Hutchinson made no secret of how the outside noise sharpened their focus.

“There was a certain Clare man saying we were a dying team this week, and little things like that give you so much motivation. I don’t know if it’s just trying to play us down or what, but that gives us huge motivation to go and perform”

Many viewers took this as a direct response to a column written by Anthony Daly in the Irish Examiner, where he suggested Ballygunner were “not quite” the side they once had been. Daly even floated the prospect of an upset, despite Ballygunner entering the final as strong favourites with bookmakers.

Hutchinson’s on-field answer was emphatic. In testing conditions where scores were hard to come by, his seven points from play stood out, guiding Ballygunner through their toughest phases and ensuring total control of the contest. The performance also carried the weight of unfinished business after last year’s heartbreaking defeat to Sarsfields.

“We were so hurt after last year. We probably didn’t say it enough, but we were. So happy to get another Munster medal”

Attention now turns to the All-Ireland semi-final against either Ballyhale Shamrocks or St Martin's, scheduled just days before Christmas.

“As hurlers, that’s what you want. You want a Christmas where you’re looking forward to a game.”