Stradbally and Nire advance to the semis

STRADBALLY cruised to a Waterford SFC semi-final date with Ardmore after this poor affair at Fraher Field, Dungarvan on Saturday.

The losers’ attack failed to register a score with all their points coming from midfielders Shane Ó Ceallaigh and Liam Ó Lionain.

Ironically it was Ring who opened the scoring through Ó Cellaigh after five minutes, but thereafter it was one way traffic with the bravery of goalkeeper Tomas Ó Cadhla preventing a more embarrassing defeat.

Stradbally led by 0-5 to 0-1 at the end of a listless opening half, and while Ó Lionain briefly raised Ring hopes with a quality point within two minutes of the restart the winners quickly reasserted their complete mastery.

Michael “Brick’’ Walsh, showing no ill effects from his trip to the capital the previous night to collect his All-Star, goaled following a woeful defensive mix up in the 40th minute, and only a magnificent save by goalkeeper Ó Cadhla a minute later denied Paul Foley. The almost inevitable second Stradbally goal came on 48 minutes from Niall Curran and Ring’s day of misery was compounded four minutes from time with Ó Lionain’s dismissal following a second yellow card.

Scorers: Stradbally: M. Walsh(1-3, 0-2f); N. Curran (1-2); G. Power (0-2); J. Hearne (0-1); S. Cunningham (0-1). Ring: S. Ó Ceallaigh(0-4, frees); L. Ó Lionain (0-1).

STRADBALLY:O. Costelloe; E. Cummins, K. Coffey, T. Walsh; T. Grey, S. Lannon, T. Costelloe; J. Hearne, J. Coffey; S. Cunningham, G. Walsh, G. Power; N. Curran, M. Walsh, P. Foley.

Subs: P. Doyle for T. Costelloe (inj); T. Curran for Foley; P. Weldon for G. Walsh.

RING: T. Ó Cadhla; S. Ó hArtaigh, D. Breathnach, E. De Faoite; E. Breathnach, L. Ó Cuirrin, L. De Gras; S. Ó Ceallaigh, L. Ó Lionain; C. Ó Conchuir, C. O’Murchadha, N. Ó Murchadha; P. O’Murchadha, C. Ó Manachain, D. Ó Murchadha.

Subs: E. Ó Crotaigh for Ó Manachain; B. Breathnach for Ó hArtaigh.

Referee: M. Condon, Clashmore.

Nire 1-10 Rathgormack 0-4

By John Murphy

THIS Waterford SFC quarter-final was as one-sided as the scoreline suggests.

The early omens for a close and competitive derby at Fraher Field, Dungarvan, were promising with Rathgormack matching the titleholders throughout the field.

But with the concession of a soft goal after eight minutes, their challenge faded as the Nire took command. After Diarmuid Wall and Paul Shankey traded points, corner forward Michael Moore punished dire Rathgormack defending with a goal which turned the tide in his side’s favour.

Even without county star Shane Walsh who failed a late fitness test, the Nire were never in trouble and with Railway Cup player Thomas O’Gorman outstanding in defence, Rathgormack’s attack was kept in check.

Despite the efforts of veteran midfielder Richie Power, Rathgormack struggled to get a firm footing on the proceedings, and there was an certain inevitability about the outcome when the champions led 1-5 to 0-3 at the interval.

Liam Lawlor’s fisted point extended the champions lead within two minutes of the restart, and though Power had a fine effort on 36 minutes, that was to be their sole contribution to the second half scoring.

Without ever moving into top gear the champions were in cruise control from there to the finish, tacking on further points from Martin Walsh (2), Connie Power, and the best one of the lot from a very acutely angled Brian Wall free.

Scorers: Nire: M. Moore (1-1); C. Power (0-3); D. Wall (0-2); M. Walsh (0-2); L Lawlor (0-1); B. Wall (0-1). Rathgormack: R. Power (0-2); P. Larkin (0-1); P. Shankey (0-1).

NIRE: T. Flynn; J. Walsh, T. O’Gorman, Maurice O’Gorman; J. Moore, D. Ryan, B. Wall; A. O’Gorman, Michael O’Gorman; M. Walsh, P. Walsh, D. Wall; M. Moore, L. Lawlor, C. Power.

Sub: R. Fenton for Power.

RATHGORMACK: B. Crotty; J. Crotty, D. Hassett, M. Mears; D. Crotty, V. O’Shea, M. Crotty; M. Cummins, R. Power; K. Power, P. Shankey, P. Larkin; P. Crotty, E. Hogan, P. Crotty.

Subs: T. Power for Mears; M. Whelan for Kirwan.

Referee: J. M. Kelly, Shamrocks.