Fergal Hartley insists that Ballygunner’s unparalleled success is not driven by population growth as they prepare for Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final with St Martin’s.
The former Waterford captain, who now patrols the sideline as a selector for his home club, points to the long-standing family histories of involvement shared by many players.
Hartley’s son, Mark, is the latest chip off the old block to emerge from the Gunners’ production line. His nephew, Colm, is another high-scoring prospect.
Back in 2001, Hartley won a Munster title alongside Micheál Mahony, who is father to Philip, Pauric, Mikey, and Kevin. Paul Foley, another member of that breakthrough team, is Tadhg’s father. The Mahonys and Foleys are nephews of former manager Darragh O’Sullivan and long-serving stalwart Shane.
“People talk about population growth and about numbers all the time with Ballygunner. It’s not a numbers game,” said Hartley.
“When we played an All-Ireland semi-final against St Thomas’, that day I think there were 10 players who ended on that pitch whose grandfathers had played for Ballygunner. So all the talk about numbers, it’s not a numbers game.
“We have two feeder schools that feed our club. I’m not going to say those numbers are small, but those numbers have been the same for the last 20-odd years, so I think there’s a lot more to it than numbers.
“A huge number of the players involved have fathers, uncles, grandparents who have played for the club. So it’s not just a case of an influx of people coming from all over the country. It’s not like that.”
That history isn’t something that lives in the past for the 12-in-a-row Waterford champions. It has been a recurring theme of theirs to reflect back on Ballygunner’s origins.
Stephen O’Keeffe enjoying another victory with his son Fionn
“People know us now and we are a fairly big club. But the point is that we came from fairly humble beginnings,” said Hartley.
“We spoke about that a lot this year, about where we came from and those humble beginnings. We’re 70 years old and we didn’t have a pitch for 35 of those years, so it wasn’t always like this.”
Hartley’s son, Mark, hadn’t played senior hurling until their Munster campaign began. Filling in for Pauric Mahony against Na Piarsaigh, the teenager was influential on his debut and has been first sub on in each round since then.
That family involvement made Ballygunner’s record-breaking sixth provincial title all the sweeter for Hartley.
“It’s very special for every parent who sees their own child, or a grown man really, take to the field.
“Every day Ballygunner win something, I find it special, but having a lad playing adds to it, for sure.
“The credit always goes to the lads who are on the pitch, but so much goes on in the background. So many things happen to make this a well-oiled machine, so there’s credit due to a lot more people than the ones who take to the field.”
Back in 2001, Hartley could never have seen such success down the road. But even towards the end of his playing days, the centre-back knew they had some exceptional talents on the way.
“We always knew with those lads – SOK (Stephen O’Keeffe), Pauric, Philip, Barry Coughlan, Brian O’Sullivan – that it was a special group coming through. Could anyone have foreseen what they’ve gone on to do? You couldn’t predict that.
Hartley is still a presence on the line for Ballygunner
“We knew they were a special group, we knew they were different, but I don’t think anyone could have foreseen what was to come from them in terms of the success they’ve had with this team.”
Ballygunner have translated their provincial silverware collection into one All-Ireland, in 2022. They are hungry to add a second. Wexford and Leinster champions St Martin’s stand between them and another crack at a Croke Park final.
“History tells us that it gets tougher from here,” said Hartley in the aftermath of the Munster final cruise part Éire Óg Ennis.
“We’ve only gotten to one All-Ireland final. We’ve been stung here before, so it’s up to us to have our house in order as best as we possibly can and prepare as best as we possibly can. If that’s good enough, it’s good enough. But the fences get higher now, the challenges get more difficult, and the games get bigger.
“We were beaten by St Thomas’ a couple of years ago, beaten by Ballyhale twice, so it’s so, so hard. But we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
The three-week break since their Semple Stadium success should help for Ballygunner’s return to Thurles on Sunday.
“If you were to pick an ideal time, it’s probably three weeks,” said Hartley. “It gives you time to celebrate and recover and get back on the horse to go again, so it’s probably perfect from that perspective.
“Playing the weekend before Christmas, is that perfect? Possibly not, but you couldn’t have any complaints about the new system.”