Derek McGrath: ‘The totality of effort from Doon was very special’

DOON manager Derek McGrath insists that the one week gap between their historic Limerick title win and their Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship tie with Ballygunner wasn’t a hindrance. “The general perception was, Doon's first one so they're on the beer for the week. There's elements of that, that very true.

In terms of two or three days. If you look at the experience of Richie English, Barry Murphy, Darragh O'Donovan and Adam, I think I said there was 19 All-Ireland medalists between panellists in the room,” outlined the former Waterford manager after Doon’s loss to Ballygunner. The Doon manager didn't want the east Limerick side to rest on their laurels after their county final success.



“We didn't want to get into the mentality of we had a great year anyway. We tried to go to the end and I think we did as good as we could. There was a bit of freedom in our play,” he said.

Doon’s championship campaign came to an end after they were narrowly defeated by Ballygunner in the Munster senior hurling championship quarter-final. The Limerick champions can be proud of their performance in the TUS Gaelic Grounds. Doon entered the Munster senior hurling championship for the first time.

It was a quick turnaround for Doon. Ballygunner played their last competitive game on September 1 in the Waterford SHC final before this clash. Meanwhile, Doon were in action on October 27 against Na Piarsaigh in the Limerick SHC final.

Doon played some outstanding hurling in the opening period and they led 0-12 to 0-8 at the break. Ballygunner produced a clinical second half performance to just do enough in the end. The last time the Waterford kingpins were defeated in Munster was in 2019.

Ballygunner now look like strong contenders to go on and win their fourth provincial title in-a-row. Doon’s McGrath was proud of his side's performance. Jack Ryan had a great goal chance but Stephen O'Keeffe excellently saved his shot.

“The regret is, there was opportunities there. Stephen's (O'Keeffe's) brilliance, I'd say the save was almost like a turning point. I haven't had a chance to reflect on it, Jack did everything right.

“We said during the week, you have to bring it right in on top of Stephen if you want to score on him. He did that to be fair, just a brilliant save. The totality of effort from Doon was very special.

Ballygunner found a way, great team and great champions,” he said..