Castlehaven claim Munster final spot with impressive win over Rathgormack

The Hurley brothers inspired the West Cork outfit to a routine semi-final victory. 

GET TO GRIPS: Rathgormack's Stephen Curry is tackled by Ronan Walsh of Castlehaven. Picture INPHO/Ben Brady

Castlehaven (Cork) 1-16 Rathgormack (Waterford) 1-7 

The Castlehaven roadshow continues on. Next stop: Munster final.

Quenching the early threat of a Rathgormack revolt, the West Cork men were comfortable in reaching the club’s first Munster final since 2012. It is much further back to 1997 since they won the last of their three provincial titles.

It has become customary in the opening verses of a Castlehaven win to state the contribution of the Hurley brothers. Here, they bested their 0-10 county final total. Brian posted 1-6 (1-1 from play), Michael kicked five white flags. Dingle are already planning for the brothers.

The Cork champions were already out the gap when Brian landed a speculative goal on 57 minutes. His green flag extended their lead out to seven, 1-13 to 1-6.

It was a second half where the Haven were taken for only one score from play. They conceded just three in total. Once they found their rhythm, Rathgormack were shut out.

By half-time, Castlehaven had their finger in the dyke.

The opening quarter of this Munster club semi-final had shock and surprise scribbled all over it. Whatever frame of mind Castlehaven arrived down to Dungarvan in, it wasn’t the right one. They were more ambling than alert.

Rathgormack, by contrast, were in the frame of mind for a shock and surprise. After 17 minutes, they led 1-2 to 0-1.

The goal was finished by Billy Power on eight minutes, the runner from deep collecting off Stephen Curry.

Jason Gleeson’s free nine minutes later - the game’s first score since the green flag - pushed the Waterford champions four out in front.

It was hardly any more than they deserved.

Their crowded and hurrying approach was successful in frustrating the Haven score-makers and flag-wavers.

What settled Castlehaven thereafter and ensured the deficit they were chasing did not grow more legs was equal pinches of patience and Hurley class.

Michael Hurley’s left boot began their resurgence. It marked the first of seven successive Haven points in the 15 minutes before half-time. From 1-2 to 0-1 down, they headed for the far corner of Fraher field 0-8 to 1-2 in front.

The Hurley siblings accounted for all but one of that seven. The outlier was Cathal Maguire.

Mark Collins, Jack Cahalane, Sean Browne, and sub Conor O'Driscoll were others to populate the scoresheet during a second period where the gap was never closer than two.

In the end, the Rathgormack revolt did not vacate the opening quarter.

Scorers for Castlehaven: B Hurley (1-6, 0-4 frees, 0-1 '45); M Hurley (0-5); M Collins, S Browne, C Maguire, J Cahalane, C O’Driscoll (0-1 each).

Scorers for Rathgormack: J Curry (0-4, 0-2 frees, 0-1 ‘45); B Power (1-0); J Gleeson (0-2, 0-2 frees), A Murray (0-1).

Castlehaven: Darragh Cahalane; J O’Regan, R Walsh, Damien Cahalane; T O’Mahony, R Maguire, M Collins; A Whelton, J O’Neill; S Browne, B Hurley, C Maguire; J Cahalane, C Cahalane, M Hurley.

Subs: C O’Driscoll for Whelton (HT); J O’Driscoll for Browne (54); C O’Sullivan for C Maguire (58); R Minihane for C Cahalane (59); M Maguire for B Hurley (60).

Rathgormack: P Hunt; M Power, L Connolly, C Walsh; W Hahessy, B Power, S Hahessy; T Walsh, G Power; J Power, J Curry, D Hassett; J Gleeson, S Curry, A Murray.

Subs: S Kirwan for Hassett (50); P Walsh for A Murray (55).

Referee: S Lonergan (Tipperary)