Curry strikes late as Rathgormack sneak semi final thriller

ANOTHER FINAL BOOKED: Three in a row chasing Rathgormack are through the Waterford SFC final for the seventh year in a row but only just. Picture: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

Waterford SFC semi-final: Rathgormack 1-15 (1-4-7) Abbeyside/Ballinacourty 1-14 (1-5-4)

Three in a row chasing Rathgormack are through the Waterford SFC final for the seventh year in a row but only just.

In an edge of the seat battle with Abbeyside/Ballinacourty, the champions trailed by three points with four minutes left before Stephen Curry punched the ball to the net to level matters. Jason Curry then stroked over the winner from a last minute free. Relieved Rathgormack mentors leapt in the air at the final whistle as Courty players dropped to the ground.

New Waterford football boss Ephie Fitzgerald was treated to a thrilling game of two halves which featured nine orange flags. Ballinacourty went from nine down to three up minus the injured Michael Kiely. A brilliant Willie Beresford goal along with two pointers from Neil Montgomery, Billy O'Connell, Michael O'Halloran and Charlie Treen left Benji Whelan's charges 1-14 to 0-14 ahead with 56 minutes on the clock. Rathgormack went 26 minutes with a score but kept their cool in the closing stages to go 15 games unbeaten in Waterford. For the fourth time in five years, they will face The Nire in the final.

Despite a four week lay-off, the holders showed no signs of rustiness. Four orange flags, two each from county men Conor Murray and Jason Curry, gave them an 11-2 advantage after an awesome first quarter.

Both sides missed early goal chances. Billy Power whacked a shot off the post for Rathgormack after a lovely sidestep. Neil Montgomery booted over at the other end after Conor Prunty caught a Michael O'Halloran delivery.

Wind assisted Rathgormack rattled off 11 unanswered points in a devastating 10 minute spell. Curry kicked five while Murray accounted for four. Billy Power and Stephen Curry also worked the umpires. Courty lost star man Michael Kiely in the 12th minute. The Waterford hurler limped off the field with a knee injury.

Aaron Beresford slotted a two point free for Ballinacourty on 19 minutes. That proved the last score of the half. Courty had two goal chances before the break. Michael Curry made a goal line save from Montgomery before Prunty palmed a Dean Beresford cross off target. 11-4 at the change of ends.

Courty netminder Stephen Enright saved one handed from Stephen Curry at the start of the second period. A Willie Beresford bullet to the bottom corner on 41 minutes reignited the contest. A Montgomery two pointer from play followed by a Billy O'Connell two point free tied it up. Francis Roche regained the lead for Rathgormack but their three in a row dreams looked under threat when Michael O'Halloran and Charlie Treen raised orange flags.

With three minutes left, Jason Curry soloed through on goal and passed across to cousin Stephen who flicked the ball past Enright at the second attempt. A foul on Stephen Curry allowed Jason to float over the winner. Enright saved from Peter Walsh one on one in added time as the champions clung on.

A minute's silence was observed before the match for much loved Fraher Field groundsman Ollie Drummey who passed away last week. He gave 30 years of service.

Scorers for Rathgormack: J Curry 0-6 (2 2ps, 2fs), S Curry 1-2, C Murray 0-4 (2 2ps), J Power, F Roche, B Power 0-1 each.

Scorers for Abbeyside/Ballinacourty: A Beresford 0-4 (1 2pf, 2fs), W Beresford 1-0, M O'Halloran (1 2p), N Montgomery (1 2p) 0-3 each, C Treen (1 2p), B O'Connell (1 2pf) 0-2 each.

RATHGORMACK: P Hunt; S Hahessy, W Hahessy, L Mulligan; G Power, T Walsh, C Crowch; J Power, M Curry; B Power, P Walsh, J Curry; F Roche, S Curry, C Murray.

Subs: M Power for W Hahessy (Blood, 11-12), R O'Mahony for S Hahessy (49), M Power for Crowch (49), A Murray for S Curry (60), R Elliffe for A Murray (63).

ABBEYSIDE/BALLINCOURTY: S Enright; A Higgins, B Looby, C McCarthy; C Treen, B O'Connell, D Montgomery; M Kiely, C Prunty; D Slevin, M O'Halloran, W Beresford; D Beresford, N Montgomery, A Beresford.

Subs: J Beresford for Kiely (12), D Mackle for Slevin (39), C Foley for Higgins (54), M Twomey for W Beresford (60), R Walsh for D Beresford (63).

Referee: P Smith