Passage GAA
The great run in this year's Senior Hurling Championship by Passage came to an end in Walsh Park last Sunday in the County final when they were beaten by hot favourites and neighbours Ballygunner 1-23 to 9 points who were in their very best form. The match was played behind closed doors. Except for a brief period in the early stages of the game the Gunners dominated the game despite the great efforts of a Passage defence that had to contend with constant pressure but who succeeded in conceding just one goal. Passage were never able to curtail the free flowing game that is a hallmark of Ballygunner's success over the years and their running off the ball and the player in possession was able to off load to a runner nearby. Despite the defeat this team made up of 50% seasoned campaigners and 50 % young inexperienced players had some great moments in the championship and can learn from the experience of playing teams like Ballygunner. Another plus for Passage this year was the performance of their Junior A team which lost out narrowly to Tramore who went on to win the County title and the Junior B team also did well and of course the minors who drew with Ballygunner before losing to De La Salle. Allied to that is the great work being done with juveniles with one or two age groups in the knock out stages of their Leagues at the moment. In sport as always the looking ahead to the future is as important as learning from the past and presently Passage can look forward with confidence. Before leaving Sunday's final we congratulate Ballygunner on their victory and their seven in a row titles and every Passage player and panel member and Management team were proud to be in the County final and we thank all for their input. It will not take long for all to get over their disappointment as they look to 2021 which hopefully will see a return to something approaching Normal Life.