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Waterford club's hurling team to be honoured at event

18 January 2026; Mikey Mahony of Ballygunner scores his side's first goal during the AIB GAA Hurling Senior Club Championship final match between Ballygunner of Waterford and Loughrea of Galway at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfil
Mikey Mahony during Ballygunner's match against Loughrea

The achievements of the Ballygunner senior hurling team are to be formally recognised by Waterford City and County Council.

A civic reception will be held to honour the players and management involved in the Waterford side claiming its second All-Ireland club hurling crown.

Ballygunner ground down Loughrea of Galway with a powerful second half display back in January to regain the title the club had first won four years previous.

After having 22 points to spare over Mount Sion in the Waterford county final, Jason Ryan's side had a tough path to provincial honours.

The Gunners had to overcome three quality teams in Na Piarsaigh of Limerick, Sarsfields of Cork and Éire Óg Ennis of Clare.

Leinster champions St Martin's also asked plenty of questions in the semi-final as did Loughrea for long spells in the final.

However, huge performances in the black and red all around the field eventually saw joint captains Peter Hogan and Michael Mahony hoist the Tommy Moore Cup aloft at Croke Park on 18 January.

In doing so, Ballygunner became just the 13th club to win multiple All-Ireland senior hurling titles and only the fourth ever from Munster.

Waterford Mayor Séamus Ryan said councillors from across the city and county wanted to acknowledge what the side from the parish of St Mary's Ballygunner had achieved.

He said: "As Mayor of Waterford, it is a great honour to host a civic reception for the Ballygunner senior hurlers to mark their magnificent achievement in winning the All-Ireland club title.

"This magnificent group of players have brought great honour to their families, their club and to their county.

"I wish them every success going forward."

The civic reception will take place in city hall on The Mall this afternoon and is an invitation only event.