Perhaps not quite the classic game of two halves, but Ballygunner's victory over St Martin's in Sunday's AIB All-Ireland Club SHC semi-final was a success based on a collective showing the desired freedom in the second period, according to manger Jason Ryan.
In the end, the Waterford and Munster champions ran out winners by nine points, an outcome that looked unlikely at the break after the Wexford outfit, through a measure of control around the middle third, led by two.
Scores were not plentiful, though the fare was watchable. Winter hurling in a nutshell.
On the resumption, Ballygunner gradually found the space and avenues by which scores would accrue. The Martin's challenge faded.
The 2022 All-Ireland winners will now face Loughrea in the Croke Park decider on 18 January.
"It was some battle and that first half was probably not the prettiest," was Ryan's opening summation of the semi-final, when speaking to RTÉ Sport afterwards.
"The game of hurling in the summer time is so free-flowing and there are points scored from distance and that wasn't quite there in the first half. Every inch of ground was fought for and credit due to both sets of players, there was no backing down, no stepping back. It wasn't for the faint hearted.
"The second 30 minutes needed a response from Ballygunner, with the manager pointedly saying that "we weren't making as many good decisions on the ball and we could have controlled things a little bit more in that first period."
There was much more for the former Wexford and Kildare football boss to be happy about on the restart.
"I thought we controlled things a little bit better in the second half, were a lot more composed and used the ball better. We played with a little bit more freedom. It was so tense and tight in the first half that it could have swung any which way. We got a bit of momentum in the second half and stayed going. The gap was there then."
Ryan led Wexford, with Mattie Forde involved, to an All-Ireland semi-final appearance in 2008.
Now, in a different code and coaching a side in his native county, the 49-year-old is quick to praise the players at his disposal, with Ballygunner now seeking to get their hands on Tommy Moore Cup for only the second time.
"They are an exceptional bunch and I welcome opportunity to work with such a talented group of players that are so disciplined and dedicated.
"They are on a mission to try and win the next game they play and to be the best that they can be. I have had a lot of years driving long distances and it takes me just short of six minutes to get to training now. That's a novelty.
"It's brilliant to be part of the group and to witness the wonderful performances they have put in this year."
