Ballygunner qualified for their ninth Munster Club Senior hurling Championship Final after a nail biting victory over Sixmilebridge at Walsh Park this afternoon.
The Clare champions played with the aid of a strong win in the opening half and held an 0-11 to 0-6 lead at the break.
Jamie Shanahan hot over scores both from play and frees with the experienced Niall Gilligan along with Alan Mulreedy chipping in with scores for the Clare champions.
Pauric Mahony kept the Gunners in touch with scores in the opening period, while Andrew Fahy denied Conor Power a goal sccoring opportunity but it was the visitors who were five points to the good at the interval.
Billy O' Keeffe and Alex Morey exchanged early second half points before the Waterford champions hit five scores in a row to tie up proceedings, Pauric Mahony with four and JJ Hutchinson also on target.
Cathal Malone restored the lead for Sixmile but Ballygunner responded with Pauric Mahony and Billy O' Keeffe pushing the Gunners in front by 0-14 to 0-13.
Jamie Shanahan and Brian Corey pushed the Clare champions back in front but the games crucial score came enetering the clsoing stages where JJ Hutchinson rattled the net from close range.
JJ and Billy O' Keeffe (with his third point) hit late scores before Sixmile came with a late surge as Seaná Morey goaled deep into injury time but time ran out and it was Ballygunner who held out for a 1-18 to 1-17 vivtory after a tense battle.
The Waterford champions will now face Na Piarsiagh from Limerick in the Provincial Final in two weeks time.
