Abbeyside stay in top flight as Ballyduff forced into eliminator

This follows their Waterford SHC relegation play-off defeat to Abbeyside at Fraher Field, Dungarvan, on Saturday.

Though Ballyduff almost snatched a draw, they can have few complaints as they focus their attention on a vital eliminator against Fourmilewater at the same venue on Sunday.

Abbeyside's deserved if hard-earned victory guarantees their place in the top flight.

They had to endure many anxious moments, however, as Ballyduff came close to forcing a replay.

With time almost up they were awarded a 20 metre free which was entrusted to their top player Brendan Hannon. However, the Abbeyside defence held firm and cleared his power drive.

The winners dominated the opening quarter and were 0-5 to 0-1 in front, thanks in the main to the superb hurling of Mark Fives at midfield. But battling Ballyduff had the deficit down to the minimum by the 27th minute. And that is how it was at the break (1-5 to 1-4), after Patrick Hurney and Hannon traded goals in the two minutes of added time.

Abbeyside stretched their lead with early second-half points from Mark Gorman and Patrick Hurney, and while Hannon replied with one for Ballyduff , John Twomey squandered a golden goal chance in the 45th minute.

Scorers: Abbeyside: M. Gorman (0-5); P. Hurney (1-1); M. Enright (0-2); M. Fives (0-2); J. Hurney (0-1). Ballyduff: B. Hannon (1-4); J. Kearney (0-2); S. Cunningham, P. Kearney (0- 1) each.

ABBEYSIDE: P. Enright; J. Kindregan, G. Breen, A. Ryan; R. Hanrahan, S. Briggs, P. Lynch; M. Fives, J. Moore; M. Gorman, J. Foley, J. Hurney; M. Enright, L. Hurney, P. Hurney

Subs: P. Phelan for Moore; B. Scanlan for Lynch.

BALLYDUFF UPPER: M. Leamy; A. Feeney, M. Drislane, P. Molumphy; A. Martin, G. Feeney, D. Hannon; B. Kearney, P. Prendergast; S. Cunningham, J. Twomey, J. Kearney; P. Kearney, B. Hannon, S. Molumphy

Subs: S. Hannon for Prendergast; M. Casey for Cunningham; T. Feeney for B. Kearney.

Referee: Michael Wadding, Roanmore.

Gaultier 0-10 Brickey Rangers 1-5

By John Murphy

GAULTIER, inspired by county hurler Andy Moloney, captured the Waterford IFC title in a thrilling decider at Walsh Park on Saturday.

Moloney dominated throughout at centrefield and ultimately was the difference between the sides.

Gaultier enjoyed decisive first-half dominance, hitting six unanswered points by the 20th minute, with Brickeys having to wait a further two before Kieran O'Brien opened their account.

Anthony Fitzgerald, so impressive throughout for the winners, and Carthach Shalloe traded points to leave Gaultier five ahead, 0-7 to 0-2, at the break.

However that lead was dented within 20 seconds of the restart when Fergus Nugent struck for the games only goal.

A Conor McDonald point eased the pressure somewhat for the winners, but points by Dermot O'Neill (2) and Andrew Murphy brought Brickeys level by the 47th minute.

Incredibly, that proved to be their final score as further points from McDonald (free) and Paul Fitzgerald clinched victory and a place in the senior ranks for Gaultier.

Scorers: Gaultier: C. McDonald (0-4); P. Fitzgerald (0-3); A. Fitzgerald (0-2); G. O'Connor (0-1). Brickey Rangers: F. Nugent(1-0); D. O'Neill (0-2); C. Shalloe, K. O'Brien, A. Murphy (0-1) each.

GAULTIER: P. Murphy; P. Carroll, G. Molloy, E. Fitzgerald; R. Croke, S. Cullinane, A. Kirwan; A. Moloney, B. Mullane; E. Kirwan, A. Fitzgerald, T. Dunphy; G. O'Connor, P. Fitzgerald. C. McDonald.

Subs: P. Foley for Croke; W. Hutchinson for McDonald; C. O'Riordan for Mullane.

BRICKEY RANGERS: T. Lynch; S. Nugent, J. Sheehan, W. Queally; R.Halpin, D. Hickey, C. Phelan; O. Casey, V. McCarthy; C. Shalloe, F. Nugent, K. O'Brien; S. McGrath, D. O'Neill, A. Murphy.

Sub: J. Byrne for McCarthy.