Hero ‘Brick’ sees Stradbally home

ARDMORE’S six-year tenure in the top flight of Waterford hurling may be about to end after defeat to Stradbally in a thrilling relegation play off at Fraher Field, Dungarvan, on Saturday. The seasiders now face Mount Sion, with the losers set for the intermediate grade in 2009.

There was never much between the sides with Ardmore just a point in front, 1-4 to 0-6, at the interval thanks to Seamas Prendergast’s 10th minute goal.

With county captain Michael “Brick’’ Walsh more and more influential, and man of the match John Coffey marshalling their defence, Stradbally thundered back on the restart.

Walsh and Niall Curran fired a brace of points, and while a Shane Leahy goal rocked them, they were level in the 44th minute when sub Trevor Costelloe landed a quality point. The lead — for the first time-followed on the three quarter hour — from Robin Ahearne.

Twice more they were level, but with extra time looming Walsh pointed the winner from a free on the halfway line a minute into added time.

Scorers for Stradbally: N. Curran(0-6); M. Walsh(0-5,0-3 frees); T. Costelloe(0-2); J. Hearne S, Ahearne, R. Ahearne(0-1) each.

Scorers for Ardmore: S. Prendergast(1-4, 0-3 frees); S. Leahy(1-1); K. Murphy, E. Foley, J. O’Donnell, Cathal Hennessy(0-1) each.

STRADBALLY: T. Curran; K. Coffey, O. Costelloe, T. Walsh; P. Doyle, J. Coffey, A. Doyle; S. Lannon, M. Walsh; S. Cunningham, J. Hearne, R. Ahearne; G. Walsh, N. Curran, S. Ahearne.

Subs: T. Costelloe for G. Walsh; L. Casey for Lannon.

ARDMORE: Clinton Hennessy; A. Flavin, D. Prendergast, K. Murphy; D. Hennessy, R. Hennessy, K. Murphy; J. O’Donnell, W. Hennessy; E. Foley, S. Prendergast, Cathal Hennessy; S. Leahy, J. Hennessy, A. O’Donnell.

Sub: P. Gleeson for A. O’Donnell.

Referee: John Condon, Ring.