Waterford SFC: Rathgormack and Nire to meet in fifth final in six years

James Power scores the goal for Rathgormack in their JJ Kavanagh & Sons Co. Senior football championship semi-final against Gaultier at Azzurri Walsh Park. Photo: Noel Browne

Rathgormack and The Nire will meet in the Waterford Senior Football Championship final for the fifth time in six years after both sides progressed through their respective semi-final battles on Sunday.

Champions Rathgormack have now won 20 consecutive games in Waterford and their bid for four Conway Cups in a row remains in rude health, following a 1-14 to 0-15 victory against Gaultier at Azzurri Walsh Park.

Despite the close scoreline, Kenny Hassett’s men never looked in any considerable danger as they booked their place in the decider for a record eighth consecutive year.

Inspired by veteran forward JJ Hutchinson, Gaultier motored in front by four points to nil early on, but a Francis Roche strike and a superb two-point effort from James Power sparked the champions into life midway through the opening period.

A superb tackle from Tom Walsh denied Gaultier an early goal, while Gavin Buckley produced an excellent save to thwart Stephen Curry at the opposite end.

The sides were level at 0-6 apiece before Mark Fitzgerald edged Gaultier ahead, but the decisive moment arrived on 25 minutes when James Power finished a lightning Rathgormack counterattack to the net.

Two Stephen Curry points helped the champions establish a 1-8 to 0-7 interval lead.

Rathgormack remained in control after the restart, although Buckley denied Conor Murray before Jason Curry squandered another goal opportunity.

JJ Hutchinson kept Gaultier in contention with a series of frees, while Dessie Hutchinson’s fine point reduced the deficit to three entering the closing stages.

A booming two-pointer from Dessie in stoppage time left the minimum between the sides, but Stephen Curry’s sixth point from play sealed Rathgormack’s passage to another county final, as their experience and composure proved decisive.

The Nire saw off Abbeyside Ballinacourty by 0-12 to 0-5, as they outscored their opponents 0-9 to 0-2 in the second period.

Aaron Ryan hit 0-7 as the Ballymacarbry men booked their place in the senior football decider, having reached the hurling equivalent earlier this year.

In a stop-start first half where The Nire lost Liam O’Brien, Fionn Hallinan and Jamie Barron to injury - it was 0-3 apiece at the break, as Aaron Beresford and Aaron Ryan exchanged frees, while Sean Walsh and Brian Looby were also to the fore.

In the second period, it was a real one-way contest, as excellent performances from Walsh, Tom Barron and veteran defender Thomas O’Gorman led the way. Sean Callaghan nudged ‘Courty in front on 36 minutes, but the Nire responded emphatically as Conor Gleeson equalised before Ryan sent over a trio of scores, two of which came from play.

A booming two-point free from Dermot Ryan ensured the result was only going to be one outcome, before a superb late stop from Stephen Enright denied Sean Walsh the goal to cap off a fine night’s work. Two more late strikes from Man of the Match Aaron Ryan added further gloss to the scoreline - but in a game where there were 23 wides and 17 scores, The Nire weren’t flattered by their margin of victory.

In the premier intermediate ranks, Brickey Rangers will meet Clashmore Kinsalebeg, while in the relegation playoff, Kilrossanty saw off Roanmore - with the Sky Blues now set to face the premier intermediate champions for a place in the senior ranks.