As both teams did their level best not to win yesterday's AIB Munster hurling semi-final at Thurles, each could technically feel a sense of achievement. It was, however, one of those matches that will have made the clubs unhappy rather than the sort of draw where both are relieved to varying degrees. Admittedly Ballygunner can say that they trailed by four points with little over 10 minutes left, but they also had a host of chances to win as Toomevara failed to score in the final quarter.
In the light of that statistic the Tipperary champions might have felt glad to survive, but they too had good opportunities to put the game beyond their opponents.
Although the standard of hurling declined as the match wore on, this was an entertaining afternoon in which some fine play mingled with the not-so-fine. Ballygunner had the advantage in terms of possession. Their centrefield had the better of the hour and their half-backs, with Fergal Hartley excellent, created a formidable barrier - in the early stages it was the inside line that did the damage for the Tipp champions.
No more than 18 seconds had passed after the throw-in when Tommy Dunne and Michael Bevans combined to create a corridor for John O'Brien. He hit his shot convincingly to give his team the best possible start. A minute later Tommy Dunne added a free and the lead was four.
Ballygunner settled well and worked their way back into contention. But they never managed to get ahead of Toomevara even though the scoreline ebbed and flowed within tight margins.
The Waterford team's scoring was dominated by Paul Flynn. In a way his contribution was a microcosm of the general effort. His 10 points included some sweetly struck dead-ball awards, a virtuoso strike from play and a long, weaving run. But it also included some inexplicable inaccuracies, under-hit shots and a glorious chance to win the match wasted at the death.
Ballygunner didn't make the best of their possession and their physical superiority. Mick Mahony was a case in point. He read the play well and got on a lot of ball but fumbled and wasted most of it, apart from a smartly taken first-half point. Full forward Paul Foley used his statuesque presence to unsettle Rory Brislane but he turned out to be as mobile and dextrous as a statue and was unable to convert a couple of good goal chances.
Toomevara also had their chances. In the 23rd minute Tommy Dunne spirited through only to blaze his shot wide. John O'Brien, after his electric start, was well restrained by Alan Kirwan although it took a good save from Ray Whitty to prevent a goal just before half-time.
As in the county final last week, Toomevara's defence was resilient. Philip Shanahan and Brendan Dunne again swapped positions on the left wing and both were impressive until late errors crept into the game. Right corner back George Frend was probably the star turn, sweeping effectively behind the defence as it came under pressure.
Another familiar feature was the switch of Owen Brislane and Bryan Duff. Brislane stiffened the defence and Duff got forward from centrefield, scoring a good point and missing one he should have got.
Flynn equalised just after the restart (0-8 to 1-5) but in the third quarter Toomevara got the bit between their teeth and rattled off four points to establish a lead that looked as if it would be decisive. Instead the Tipp side faltered, mis-directing passes, over-hitting ball into their vacant forward positions and generally failing to drive home their advantage.
Bit by bit, Ballygunner chipped away and drew level with five minutes to go. Both teams squandered chances to tip the balance and will have to renew hostilities next Saturday at Walsh Park, Waterford.
TOOMEVARA: J Cottrell (capt.); G Frend, R Brislane, B Dunne; B Duff (0-1), P Hackett, P Shanahan; Terry Dunne, O Brislane; P McGrath, Tomas Dunne (0-1, free), K Dunne (0-6, five frees); M Bevans, J O'Brien (1-1), F Devaney. Subs: K Hall for McGrath (58 mins).
BALLYGUNNER: R Whitty; N O'Donnell, A Kirwan, R O'Sullivan; S Frampton, F Hartley, C Kehoe; T Fives, P Power; D O'Sullivan, M Mahony (0-1), A Moloney; B O'Sullivan (0-1), P Foley, P Flynn (0-10, seven frees, one 65). Subs: A Hearn for Power (44 mins), T Carroll for D O'Sullivan (45 mins).
Referee: S McMahon (Clare).
