AIB Munster Club SFC: Resilient Rathgormack advance

AIB Munster Club SFC Quarter-Final

Rathgormack 2-15 Éire Óg, Ennis 1-13

By Jordan Norris at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field

Jason Curry delivered an imperious nine-point display as Rathgormack claimed their first Munster victory since 1999, overcoming Clare champions Éire Óg in Dungarvan.

The four-in-a-row Waterford champions became the first Deise side to win a Munster Senior Club Football Championship match in eight years, with Stephen Curry and Reece O’Mahony both finding the net.

Éire Óg made a flying start, striking a goal after just two minutes. Darren Moroney broke from Bernard Power’s kickout and released Gavin Murray, who punched the bouncing ball beyond Paudie Hunt.

Jason Curry opened Rathgormack’s account with a free, but Mark McInerney quickly took control. His superb effort from outside the arc and subsequent two-point free helped the visitors establish a commanding 1-4 to 0-1 advantage.

However, Kenny Hassett’s side responded emphatically, outscoring their opponents 1-6 to 0-1 for the remainder of the half.

Francis Roche registered their first score from play following Conor Murray’s turnover, before Curry landed a magnificent 47-metre effort. Ciaran Russell replied, but another long-range Curry score kept Rathgormack firmly in contention.

Murray reduced the deficit to one before Rathgormack struck decisively in added time. Roche surged forward and fed Stephen Curry, who replicated his county final goal with a composed finish, giving the hosts a 1-7 to 1-5 interval lead.

McInerney narrowed the gap after the restart, but Rathgormack surged five clear through another spectacular Curry two-pointer, an O’Mahony score and a Curry free.

Éire Og refused to buckle. McInerney converted two frees, including a two-pointer, before Billy Power steadied Rathgormack following excellent work by Roche.

Substitute Jack Joyce then produced a brilliant sliced two-pointer, and McInerney’s close-range free brought the sides level on 54 minutes.

Power and Russell exchanged points in a breathless finale, before Power supplied Conor Murray to restore Rathgormack’s slender advantage.

The decisive moment arrived on 58 minutes. Murray produced an exquisite outside-of-the-boot pass from the right flank to locate the unmarked O’Mahony, who finished clinically from close range to spark jubilant celebrations among the home supporters.

Éire Óg pushed desperately for a response, but Rathgormack stood firm, denying the Clare champions any route back into the contest.

Fittingly, Curry completed the scoring, capping a commanding individual performance and a landmark triumph for Waterford football.

For Hassett’s men, this was more than progression in the provincial championship. It was a statement victory, achieved through resilience, attacking quality and composure when the pressure was at its greatest.

Scorers for Rathgormack: Jason Curry 0-9 (3tps, 3f), Reece O’Mahony 1-1, Stephen Curry 1-0, Billy Power and Conor Murray 0-2 each, Francis Roche 0-1.

Scorers for Eire Og Inis: Mark McInerney 0-9 (7fs, 1 2ptf), Gavin Murray 1-0, Jack Joyce 0-2 (2pt), Ciaran Russell 0-2.

Rathgormack: Padraig Hunt; Liam Mulligan, Sean Hahessy, Willie Hahessy; Glen Power, Tom Walsh, Reece O’Mahony; Billy Power, Michael Curry; Francis Roche, Thomas Skehan, Jason Curry; Adam Murray, Stephen Curry, Conor Murray.

Subs: Cathal Crowch for T Skehan (54); Ciaran Power for C Murray (60, inj).

Éire Óg, Ennis: Bernard Power; Manus Doherty, Aaron Fitzgerald, Dean Ryan; Ciaran Russell, Ronan Lanigan, Gavin D’Auria; David McNamara, Darren O’Brien; Oran Cahill, Gavin Murray, Darren Moroney; Danny Lyne, Ikem Ugwueru, Mark McInerney.

Subs: Einne O’Connor for G D’Auria (39); Jack Joyce for D Lyne (42); Colm Walsh O’Loghlen for R Lanigan (49); Luke Pyne for D Moroney (58).

Referee: James Regan (Cork).