Ardmore stun Stradbally to book final spot

GOALS early in either half were the decisive moments in this Waterford SFC semi-final at Fraher Field, Dungarvan, yesterday with Ardmore deservedly advancing to their first decider since 1981.

For Stradbally however the dream of reaching the decider for an unprecedented seventh successive year is over though they will be the first to concede victory went to the better side.

Driving rain and a strong breeze blowing into the town goal made conditions difficult for both teams and it is to their credit that they served up a keen and competitive game.

Ardmore had first advantage of the elements and despite falling behind when Niall Curran pointed a third-minute free they soon hit the front and remained there to the end.

They struck their opening goal after five minutes with Billy Harty clinically finishing Clinton Hennessey’s inch perfect pass.

However with Michael ‘Brick’ Walsh, who pulled out of Munster’s Railway Cup hurling final, playing as a defensive sweeper, Stradbally restricted Ardmore’s lead to three points (1-3 to 0-3) at the break.

Walsh returned to his more conventional role in the Stradbally attack on the restart, but the expected supply of ball never materialised as Ardmore, determinedly carried the fight to the favourites and when their skipper Alan North clipped over a sweet point on 38 minutes the winners had additional breathing space.

Sixty seconds later this semi-final was decided. Clinton Hennessey, just as he had been for the opening goal, was once again the provider, delivering a perfect cross which Johnny Hennessey finished to the net from close range.

To their credit Stradbally pressed relentlessly in the closing stages even in the face of the hopelessness of their cause but there was no way through that rock solid Ardmore defence. Late points from Niall Curran and Paul Foley frees did nothing more than narrow the deficit and the exciting scenes that followed the final whistle mirrored Ardmore’s delight.

Scorers: Ardmore: B. Harty (1-2, (0-1f); J. Hennessey (1-0); N. Hennessey, J. O’Donnell (f), A. North (0-1) each. Stradbally: N. Curran (0-3, 0-2f); M. Walsh (f), P. Foley (f), S. Cunningham (0-1) each.

ARDMORE: C. Hurley; C. McNamara, M. Supple, A. Flavin; N. Hennessey, D. Prendergast, R. Hennessey; G. North, S. Prendergast; W. Hennessey, A. North, J. O’Donnell; B. Harty, Clinton Hennessey, J. Hennessey.

Subs: Cathal Hennessey for G. North; M. Hennessey for Harty; B. Keane or A. North.

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

Subs: P. Foley for T. Walsh; P. Weldon for T. Curran; T. Connors for Doyle.

Referee: John M. Kelly, Shamrocks.