Rathgormack edge out The Nire to claim Waterford three-in-a-row

This Rathgormack team lost three finals in a row between August 2021 and October 2022 but have now turned that sequence on its head 

CHAMPIONS: Rathgormack players and mentors celebrate their Waterford SFC final victory over The Nire, which seecured a third title on the spin. Pic: Photo Sean Byrne

Waterford SFC final: Rathgormack 1-12 The Nire 1-10 

Plumes of green and red smoke filled the Fraher Field air after Rathgormack completed a hard-earned three in a row against Comeragh rivals The Nire on Sunday.

The sides were level on six occasions in the Dungarvan sunshine before injury-time points from Billy Power and Willie Hahessy sealed victory for Kenny Hassett's side. Power travelled back and forth from Abu Dhabi throughout the season and his brother James paid tribute to his dedication. "He's travelling 10 hours for training, I'm only going 10 minutes over the road! Sport is such a massive part of Billy's life. There were no questions when Kenny asked him to come home. He loves it just as much as the rest of us. We're delighted to have him back; he kicked a massive score."

This Rathgormack team lost three finals in a row between August 2021 and October 2022 and endured rocky spells during this decider as well. The green and red were guilty of 11 wides while Nire goalkeeper Stephen Ryan made super saves from Willie Hahessy and Stephen Curry.

Wing back Glen Power stepped up with three points including a confidence boosting orange flag in the second half. The Power brothers covered every blade of grass. Captain Wille Hahessy produced big moments in defence and attack. Jason Curry coolly finished to the bottom corner of the net just before the break.

Sean Walsh gave an exhibition of high fielding for The Nire. Top scorer Aaron Ryan continued his rich vein of form with four points from play. The Nire threw the kitchen sink at it as Conor Gleeson, Thomas O'Gorman and Tom Barron all entered the fray in the second half. All Star hurler Jamie Barron togged out but didn't feature due to a knee injury.

Rathgormack dominated possession in the first period against the breeze but only had a one point lead to show for it (1-5 to 1-4). A Willie Hahessy block led to a first minute single for James Power. Glen Power then saw his two point effort tipped over by Stephen Ryan. In the sixth minute, Michael Morrissey put Dylan Guiry clean through at the other end and he planted the ball to the bottom corner (1-0 to 0-2).

Rathgormack wrestled back control with the Powers prominent at midfield. Conor Murray, Jason Curry (free) and Peter Walsh all raised white flags. Seven wides and one ball short halted their gallop.

Sean Walsh got a grip around a fiercely contested middle third and four Nire points followed. Aaron Ryan got two, Dermot Ryan rifled one over from 40 metres and Walsh fisted one (1-4 to 0-5). A minute before the interval, Stephen Ryan punched away a Francis Roche point attempt and the ball broke to Jason Curry who side footed it into the corner of the cobwebs.

The teams were tied four times in the second half. Aaron Ryan levelled as the Rathgormack wide count entered double figures. Stephen Ryan also saved one on one from Willie Hahessy. Sean Walsh was lord of the skies and points from Dylan Guiry and Sean Boyce edged Richard O'Keeffe's men ahead (1-7 to 1-6).

Rathgormack players Glen Power, Stephen and Michael Curry. celebrate folowing the final whistle. Photo Sean Byrne

Up stepped Rathgormack number five Glen Power with an outrageous two pointer off the outside of his right boot from the stand side. He won the next kickout and Michael Curry split the posts.

Marquee Nire subs Conor Gleeson and Thomas O'Gorman made a difference as Aaron Ryan and Ciaran Walsh left it 1-9 apiece. Stephen Ryan stopped a certain green flag from Stephen Curry in a mad goalmouth scramble.

The Ballymacarbry side then got penalised for only having three back and Jason Curry tapped over the close range free. Dermot Ryan cancelled it out as three added minutes went up on the board. Billy Power made the long journey home worthwhile as he wrapped his right foot around the ball and landed the lead point. Conor Murray set up Willie Hahessy for the clincher.

The team that lost three in a row has now won three in a row.

Scorers for Rathgormack: J Curry 1-2 (2fs), G Power 0-3 (1 2p), J Power 0-2, W Hahessy, B Power, M Curry, P Walsh, C Murray 0-1 each.

Scorers for The Nire: D Guiry 1-1, A Ryan 0-4, D Ryan 0-2 (1f), C Walsh, S Boyce, S Walsh 0-1 each.

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

Subs: G Hahessy for S Hahessy (23), R O'Mahony for Roche (58).

The Nire: S Ryan; T Walsh, J McGrath, M McMaugh; J Mulcahy, T Guiry, E Spelman; S Walsh, C Walsh; M Morrissey, A Ryan, S Boyce; D Ryan, D Guiry, P Walsh.

Subs: C Gleeson for Boyce (46), T O'Gorman for Tholom Guiry (49), T Barron for P Walsh (52), F Hallinan for Mulcahy (54).

Referee: E Morrissey