Waterford SFC Final: Rathgormack make it four in a row

JJ Kavanagh & Sons’ Waterford Senior Football Championship Final

Rathgormack 2-13 (19) (2-2-11) The Nire 0-10 (10) (0-0-10)

By Jordan Norris, Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field

Rathgormack are Waterford senior football champions for the fourth successive year after Kenny Hassett’s side swept aside The Nire by nine points at Fraher Field.

The green and red completed their first ever four-in-a-row, becoming the first club in 21 years to achieve the feat, with goals from Stephen Curry and Reece O’Mahony sealing another Conway Cup.

The Nire began brightly against a strong breeze, Dylan Guiry opening the scoring from Conor Gleeson’s pass before Gleeson doubled their advantage.

Jason Curry replied with a free on six minutes before cutting inside to land a superb two-pointer and put Rathgormack ahead. Francis Roche pointed after a swift counter-attack, although Dermot Ryan responded from a free.

Roche added another before Adam Murray converted brilliantly from outside the arc on 19 minutes. Ryan answered, but Rathgormack struck decisively two minutes later when Jason Curry released brother Stephen, who calmly finished beneath Stephen Ryan to make it 1-7 to 0-4.

Peter Walsh and Roche extended the margin to eight before an Aaron Ryan free left the champions leading 1-9 to 0-5 at half-time.

With the breeze behind them, The Nire threatened immediately after the restart, but Michael O’Sullivan shot over rather than under the crossbar following Dylan Guiry’s pass.

Substitute Chris Ryan reduced the deficit to five before Roche weaved through for his fourth point. Jason Curry added another free as The Nire struggled with their two-point attempts.

Thomas O’Gorman brilliantly blocked Conor Murray’s goalbound effort on 43 minutes, although Michael Curry pointed from the recycled possession.

Two quick Aaron Ryan scores cut the gap to six, and The Nire almost transformed the contest on 51 minutes. Tholom Guiry squared for Conor Gleeson, whose palmed effort crashed against the crossbar.

Jason Curry converted a close-range free on 56 minutes before Aaron Ryan responded, leaving Rathgormack ahead 1-13 to 0-10 entering five minutes of additional time.

The champions delivered the final blow on 62 minutes through another lightning counter-attack. Tom Skehan found Stephen Curry, who squared for Reece O’Mahony to bundle home and complete a thoroughly deserved fourth consecutive Conway Cup title.

Rathgormack now face Clare champions Eire Og Inis in Munster on November 8th, repeating last year’s provincial encounter.

Scorers for Rathgormack: Jason Curry 0-5 (3f, 1 two-pointer); Francis Roche 0-4; Stephen Curry and Reece O’Mahony 1-0 each; Adam Murray 0-2 (1 two-pointer); Peter Walsh and Michael Curry 0-1 each.

Scorers for The Nire: Aaron Ryan 0-4 (3f); Dermot Ryan 0-2 (1f); Dylan Guiry, Conor Gleeson, Michael O’Sullivan and Chris Ryan 0-1 each.

RATHGORMACK: Padraig Hunt; Liam Mulligan, Sean Hahessy, Willie Hahessy; Glen Power, Tom Walsh, James Power; Billy Power, Michael Curry; Francis Roche, Peter Walsh, Jason Curry; Adam Murray, Stephen Curry, Conor Murray.

Subs: Reece O’Mahony for P Walsh (30, inj); Thomas Skehan for A Murray (49); Cathal Crowch for F Roche (57)

THE NIRE: Stephen Ryan; Paddy Spelman, Tadhg Walsh, Thomas O’Gorman; Dermot Ryan, Tom Barron, Evan Spelman; Tholom Guiry, Michael O’Sullivan; Dylan Guiry, Sean Walsh, Michael Morrissey; Aaron Ryan, Conor Gleeson, Pat Walsh.

Subs: Chris Ryan for T Guiry (30, temp); T Guiry for C Ryan (36); C Ryan for M O’Sullivan (47); Jamie Barron for P Walsh (50); Shane Ryan for M Morrissey (57); Oisin Walsh for D Ryan (57)

Referee: Killian O’Sullivan (Cappoquin)