Peter Queally hails Roanmore dedication after reaching first Waterford SHC final in 31 years

Dungarvan’s shooting betrayed them, the wides mounting, and they were punished by Roanmore

Roanmore's Billy Nolan celebrates. Picture; Mary Browne

Roanmore 1-15 Dunvargan 0-12

Roanmore made it to the JJ Kavanagh and Sons Waterford SHC final after a hard-fought win over Dungarvan in Walsh Park, the city side winning through to the decider for the first time in 31 years.

There was an emotional reaction from the club members, understandably, with team manager Peter Queally loud in his praise of the side: “It means an awful lot, I don’t think I’ve ever worked with a more dedicated, committed bunch of players. Every time we go out they give everything they have.

“I can’t say enough good things about them, we’re delighted to get over the line but, like last week, we have to get them down in the next few hours or so to refocus on what will be our biggest task yet.”

A squally shower made conditions difficult early on, but Dungarvan were quick to the pace of the game, leading 0-4 to 0-1 on ten minutes thanks to Cathal Curran’s accuracy.

Shane Mackey and Gavin O’Brien (free) narrowed that gap as Roanmore settled, and began to benefit from the wind. With Billy Nolan playing a deep role and distributing the ball well they pressed Dungarvan back, and O’Brien’s second free levelled the game on the first water-break.

Neither side could seize the initiative, but Colm Curran nudged Dungarvan ahead in injury time, giving them a 0-8 to 0-7 lead at the half.

O’Brien pointed on the resumption but Dungarvan sub John Burke responded; yet another O’Brien free and they were level again, 0-9 apiece on 35 minutes.

Dungarvan pushed two ahead thanks to Patrick and Cathal Curran, but they needed a good Darren Duggan save to keep Shane Mackey at bay.

On 42 minutes Roanmore made no mistake, however - Emmet O’Toole reacted first to a ball which rolled loose in the square, and it was 1-9 to 0-11 at the second water-break.

Gavin O’Brien pointed when play resumed but Patrick Curran (free) responded - 1-10 to 0-12 on 48 minutes.

Dungarvan’s shooting began to betray them, the wides mounting, and Eoin Madigan and Sean Burke pushed Roanmore three clear; the city side were under huge pressure as Dungarvan came hunting for scores in the closing stages, but fittingly, Gavin O’Brien was the one to hit the late scores that booked their final place.

“This group probably don’t get enough credit for their hurling,” said Queally.

“At times their hurling was superb, especially when the pressure came on in the last quarter. Other teams might panic but they stuck with what we were doing - we might have veered off it with a few balls struck blindly but it came good in the end, things came for us in the last quarter.

“It (the goal) was a huge tonic at just the right time, the things that happened for us in the last quarter were a result of that.

“It was a huge fillip in a low-scoring game, that was the boost that we needed - it energised us for that last quarter, so it was a huge turning point.”

Roanmore’s success means Queally has now brought four different clubs to a county senior final in Waterford: “When I took over a couple of years ago I met the previous management team, Cha O’Neill and Philip Murphy, and it was amazing, the vibe I got off them.

“They were reluctantly handing the team over, and now I know why there was such reluctance there. They knew how good the team was, and the proof of that was there today.”

Next week Roanmore face off against a Ballygunner side hunting an eighth senior title in a row - can they upset the odds once more?

Scorers for Roanmore: G O’Brien (0-11, 8 frees, 1 65); E. O’Toole (1-0); S. Mackey (0-2); S. Burke, E. Madigan (0-1 each).

Scorers for Dungarvan: P Curran (0-5, 4 frees); Cathal Curran (0-3); M. Kiely (0-2); Colm Curran, J. Burke (0-1 each).

ROANMORE: J Chester; K Power, F McGrath, C Chester; C Dempsey, R. Furlong, D. Hayes; G. O’Brien, E Madigan; E Flynn, Billy Nolan, C Wadding; E O’Toole, Brian, S Mackey.

Subs: S. Burke for Flynn (54); L. Hearne for Dempsey (57); H. White for O’Toole (61).

DUNGARVAN: D Duggan; S Ryan, J Curran, G. Power; J Nagle, D Lyons, K Moore; K Daly, J Lacey; Colm Curran, P Curran, J Allen; M Kiely, Cathal Curran, G Crotty.

Subs: J Burke for Crotty (inj, 5); T. Loftus for Daly (46); J. Duggan for P. Curran (50); Cormac Curran for Allen (62).

Referee: A. Fitzgerald (Gaultier).