Waterford SFC: Ballinacourty and Gaultier book semi-final spots

A general view of Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Rathgormack will play Gaultier and Abbeyside Ballinacourty will play The Nire in the Waterford Senior Football Championship semi-finals next weekend.

Ballinacourty and Gaultier respectively booked their places in the final four on Sunday afternoon as both were comfortable winners in a double-header played in atrocious conditions at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field.

Gaultier saw off the challenge of Stradbally on 0-10 to 0-5 scoreline, but Robin Croke’s side were far more comfortable than the final scoreline suggested as Stradbally failed to score for the opening 43 minutes.

Gaultier led by six points to no score at half time. Sean White opened the scoring after two minutes but another 23 minutes followed before Dessie Hutchinson provided the second as harsh conditions told. A beautiful two-point effort from captain Mark Fitzgerald and strikes from White and JJ Hutchinson wrote the story of the first half.

JJ Hutchinson and Fitzgerald grew the gap to eight before John Bruton finally got Stradbally off the mark. Two late two-point frees from Michael O’Brien made the scoreline look more respectable but Gaultier were never in danger as late points from Sean Cullinane and Hutchinson ensured their passage to the semi-finals.

The Barony have played in many county semi-finals in recent years, but haven’t reached a decider since 1996. Four-in-a-row chasing champions Rathgormack stand in their way next weekend.

Abbeyside Ballinacourty swatted aside the challenge of An Rinn by 2-13 to 1-4 to confirm the final four in the race for the Conway Cup.

Benji Whelan’s side led from pillar to post, as the Gaeltacht - like Stradbally, didn’t score in the first half, and it was 54 minutes before they registered an effort on target.

Playing with the elements, Ballinacourty made a lightning start, with Sean Whelan Barrett and Sean Callaghan firing over early points.

Their opening goal arrived after seven minutes when Brian Looby was fouled by Ray O’Ceallaigh following a fine Daire Slevin pass. Aaron Beresford dispatched the resulting penalty into the bottom corner to establish a five-point lead.

Further scores from Looby, Slevin, Willie Beresford and Daithi Brunnock stretched the advantage to 1-6 to no score as An Rinn struggled against the breeze.

The contest was effectively settled after 23 minutes. The second goal came via a piece of individual brilliance from Callaghan, as when seemingly dispossessed by Corey de Róiste, he slalomed back inside soccer style and dragged back through his man before sitting down the keeper and sliding to the bottom right corner in Lionel Messi-esque fashion.

Looby and Aaron Beresford added further points as ‘Courty entered the break leading 2-8 to no score.

Beresford extended the advantage after the restart, while Callaghan, Willie Beresford and Brunnock also contributed as Ballinacourty continued their dominance.

An Rinn struggled to create opportunities against a resolute defence, eventually opening their account through a two-point free from Dónal Breathnach on 54 minutes.

Substitute Fearghal Ó Cuirrín added another two-pointer before Breathnach converted a late penalty, giving the Gaeltacht some consolation.

However, the outcome had long been decided, with Ballinacourty cruising to a 12-point victory in a contest far more one-sided than the final scoreline suggested.

‘Courty now face The Nire next time out as they bid to claim a first Conway Cup since 2020.

Brickey Rangers will take on Modeligo and Clashmore Kinsalebeg come up against Mount Sion in the premier intermediate pairings.