Hurney points the way for ’Courty

HAVING commandingly controlled the game for lengthy spells, Ballinacourty had to rely on a point in added time to snatch victory in an at times tempestuous Waterford SFC quarter-final at Fraher Field, Dungarvan, yesterday.

In a torrid climax Clashmore wing forward Paudie O’Rourke was sent off on a straight red card and ‘Courty’s Gary Hurney also departed the scene on a second yellow which will not, however, rule him out of next weekend’s semi-final against the reigning champions, Nire.

In the end ‘Courty had to work hard for a victory they looked to have safely fastened down for much of the hour. Their dominance in the opening half was especially marked and Gary Hurney’s superbly finished goal in the 10th minute helped them to a l-4 to 0-2 lead that certainly didn’t flatter them.

Declan Fives widened the margin between the sides when he converted a 33rd minute free, but Clashmore became a side transformed when Stephen Barron goaled for them a minute later. In an instant the pendulum had swung Clashmore’s way and the margin was narrowed further when Barron rifled over a 37th minute point.

Mark Ferncombe and Fintan Breathnach exchanged points, and after ‘Courty had kicked a series of inexplicable wides it looked like they might pay the penalty when further minors by Kieran Connery and Breathnach had the sides level with just one minute of normal time remaining.

In a dramatic finale, however, it was fitting that Patrick Hurney would score the winning point as he had been ‘Courty’s most consistent and penetrative forward throughout.

Scorers: Ballinacourty; G. Hurney(1-0); P. Hurney(0-3); D. Fives(0- 2,frees); P. Lynch, M. Fercombe(0-1) each. Clashmore; S. Barron(1-1); F. Breathnach(0-4, frees); K. Connery(0-1);

BALLINACOURTY: S. Enright; J. Mullen. J. Kindregan. G. Breen; J. Phelan. J. Hurney. S. Briggs; G. Hurney. P. Lynch; P. Hurney. M. Fives. S. O’Hare; D. Fives. L. Hurney. M. Ferncombe; Subs; T. Murray for D. Fives; R. Foley for O’Hare

CLASHMORE; B. O’Neill; B. Dunne. J.Seward. E. Beresford; D. Allen. K. Connery. C. Burke; K. O’Keeffe. M. Power; P. O’Rourke. S. Barron. C. O’Keeffe; S. Fleming. S. Lawlor. F. Breathnach; Subs; P. Connery for Dunne; P. Dee for Fleming; Referee; Tim O’Byrne, Erins Own.