Waterford SHC: Dungarvan and Ferrybank go down as Gunners continue cruise

Ballygunner are now 71 games unbeaten in Waterford

Ballygunner goalscorer Conor Tobin  

Ballygunner are 71 games unbeaten in Waterford, topping Group A with a fifth consecutive victory after beating Clonea 3-21 to 0-15. A fourth-minute goal from Conor Tobin set the Gunners on their way, and they led 1-8 to 0-3 midway through the opening period. Clonea fought back through Billy and Kieran Power, leaving Ballygunner 1-11 to 0-10 ahead at half-time. 

Gavin Corbett’s 38th-minute goal proved crucial, restoring a six-point advantage. Pauric Mahony was introduced as Ballygunner extended their lead, before Eoin Cuddihy, Mikey Mahony and Peter Hogan combined for Hogan’s sublime 53rd-minute goal, keeping their 13th consecutive News & Star Cup bid firmly on track.

Fourmilewater topped Group B after a thrilling 1-27 to 4-14 victory over Mount Sion. Sion raced into a 1-5 to 0-1 lead after six minutes, with Martin F O’Neill flicking home a Bradley Penkert delivery. Fourmilewater responded strongly, led by Aaron Ryan, who scored 0-9 in the opening half, including three from play. They led 0-13 to 1-9 at half-time before Adam Regan restored Sion’s lead in the 33rd minute. Liam O’Brien quickly replied with a goal, followed by seven unanswered points. Late goals from Austin Gleeson and Regan reduced the deficit, but Fourmilewater held firm.

Dungarvan’s 17-year stay in the senior ranks is over after a 1-20 to 1-13 defeat to Roanmore, who finished their Group B campaign unbeaten. The Sky Blues led 0-11 to 0-7 at half-time, with Sean Burke (0-4) and Ian Chester (0-5) leading the scoring. Dungarvan, needing victory, were driven by teenager Ryan McGovern (1-5), whose 39th-minute goal cut the gap to a point. Roanmore struck back on 46 minutes when Lee Hearne followed up after Rian Crotty’s fine save to score. Dungarvan pressed desperately, but Burke, Hearne and Chester kept the scoreboard ticking as Roanmore secured victory and sent the Old Boro down.

De La Salle secured second place in Group A at Abbeyside/Ballinacourty’s expense with their best performance of the season, winning 0-25 to 1-15. Eoin Kiely’s ninth-minute goal put Abbeyside in control, but they could not contain Jack Fagan, who finished with 0-7 from play despite being marked by three different players. De La Salle led 0-13 to 1-7 at half-time and pulled clear after the break. Fagan was influential throughout, creating opportunities for Jack Twomey, who also scored 0-7 from play. Abbeyside struggled to provide enough quality possession for their forwards as De La Salle deservedly secured their third victory.

Ferrybank have been relegated to the Premier Intermediate ranks for 2027 after a 1-17 to 2-12 defeat against Passage on Friday night. The underdogs made a flying start, Ruaidhri McGarrity finding the net after three minutes as they led 1-2 to 0-0. Sean Kelly finished a neat Passage move on nine minutes to level matters, and it remained nip-and-tuck, with Passage leading 1-7 to 1-6 at half time. Ferrybank regained the lead after the restart, but Passage hit six unanswered scores between the 38th and 44th minutes, with Mark Fitzgerald influential, scoring 0-4. A late Mark O’Brien penalty proved merely consolation.

Lismore secured their place in the quarter-finals with a second consecutive victory, as they saw off Ballygunner B 1-20 to 0-16 in Lemybrien. The young Gunners were ahead as Conor Berry and Jake Foley caused Dan Shanahan’s men plenty of problems, before Ben O’Sullivan crucially struck the only goal on 19 minutes to move Lismore in front. Lismore kicked on to lead 1-10 to 0-9 at the interval, and they were comfortable at the finish largely thanks to 0-6 from Jack Prendergast and a further 0-3 from Ray Barry - booking a last-eight clash with Ballygunner A.

Quarter-Finals: Ballygunner v Lismore; Fourmilewater v Passage; De La Salle v Mount Sion; Abbeyside Ballinacourty v Roanmore.

Games to be played next weekend.