Bennett goal seals victory for Lismore

IN appalling conditions Lismore advanced past hapless Fourmilewater in this Waterford SHC quarter-final replay in Dungarvan on Saturday.

The weather, which could have forced the abandonment of the tie, was to play a crucial role in deciding the outcome.

With the sides level in the 50th minute, a speculative delivery from Sean Flynn seemed like an easy collection for goalkeeper Tom Flynn. However he lost control of the sodden ball and Eoin Bennett pounced to crash the ball to the net.

Lismore were in no mood to let the initiative slip and though Fourmile’ piled on the pressure the winner’s defence held firm to set up a semi-final with champions Ballygunner at the same venue Sunday.

Lismore were marginally the better side and probably just about deserved to shade it. But they can thank Dave Bennett more than anyone else for victory against a brave and battling opposition.

Making a mockery of their 7/2 odds with the bookmakers, the losers took early command and Declan Spellman’s great goal on 25 minutes gave them a 1-5 to 0-5, interval lead.

Lismore were level however within 13 minutes of the restart thanks to a hat trick of Bennett points, and it was all square with ten minutes remaining when Flynn’s unlucky slip gifted Lismore their goal.

The closing minutes were hectic as Fourmilewater’s pressure mounted and all thirty players were in the Lismore half as Flynn came out from goal to take a 65 in the dying seconds.

His effort was cleared and the Fourmile’ effort fell short.

Scorers: Lismore: D. Bennett (0-7, 0-5 frees, 0-1 “65’); E. Bennett (1- 1); P. Prendergast (0-2); D. Shanahan (0-1). Fourmilewater: D. Spellman (1-1); R. Fenton(0-3, frees); M. Walsh, L. Walsh (free), D. Ryan, D. Wall(0-1) each.

LISMORE: B. Landers; Mark O’Sullivan, J. O’Connor, W. Cunningham; S. Bennett, P. Howard, S. Kearney; D. O’Gorman, D. Howard; D. Bennett, D. Shanahan. E. Bennett; J. Shanahan, S. Daly, P. Prendergast.

Sub: Michael O’Sullivan for J. Shanahan (36 mins).

FOURMILEWATER: T. Flynn; J. Moore, L. Lawlor, J. Walsh; M. Connolly, B. Wall, L. Walsh; M. Walsh, S. Lawlor; D. Spellman, D. Ryan, T. O’Gorman; R. Fenton, S. Walsh, M. O’Gorman.

Subs: D. Wall for S. Lawlor (58 mins); P. Walsh for Fenton (58 mins).

Referee: John M. Kelly, (Shamrocks).