Waterford SFC Final: Rathgormack triumph again

Waterford SFC Final

Rathgormack 1-12 The Nire 1-10

By Tomás McCarthy at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field

Rathgormack raised the Conway Cup for the third year in a row after a titanic battle with Comeragh rivals The Nire in Dungarvan.

The sides were level on six occasions before injury time points from Billy Power and Willie Hahessy sealed a terrific treble for the green and red. Kenny Hassett's charges did it the hard way as they missed two goal chances and 11 point chances.

Man of the match Glen Power kicked three points including a huge orange flag in the second half. Jason Curry coolly finished to the bottom corner of the net just before the break. Midfielder James Power covered every blade of grass and popped over two points. His brother Billy, back from Abu Dhabi, also emptied the tank.

Sean Walsh gave an exhibition of high fielding for The Nire. Top scorer Aaron Ryan continued his rich vein of form with four points from play. Goalkeeper Stephen Ryan made two blinding saves from Willie Hahessy and Stephen Curry. The Ballymacarbry men threw the kitchen sink at the champions as Conor Gleeson, Thomas O'Gorman and Tom Barron all entered the fray in the second half.

Rathgormack dominated possession in the first period against the breeze, but only had a one point lead to show for it (1-5 to 1-4). A Willie Hahessy block led to a first minute single for James Power. Glen Power then saw his two point effort tipped over by Stephen Ryan. In the sixth minute, Michael Morrissey put Dylan Guiry clean through at the other end and he planted the ball to the bottom corner (1-0 to 0-2).

Rathgormack wrestled back control with the Power brothers prominent at midfield. Conor Murray, Jason Curry (free) and Peter Walsh all raised white flags. Seven wides and one ball short stopped them building on that lead.

Sean Walsh got a grip around a fiercely contested middle third and four Nire points followed. Aaron Ryan got two, Dermot Ryan rifled one over from 40 metres and Walsh fisted one (1-4 to 0-5). A minute before the interval, Stephen Ryan punched away a Francis Roche point attempt and the ball broke to Jason Curry who side footed it into the corner of the net.

The scores were tied four times in the second half. Aaron Ryan levelled as the Rathgormack wide count entered double figures. Stephen Ryan also saved one on one from Willie Hahessy. Sean Walsh was lord of the skies and points from Dylan Guiry and Sean Boyce edged Richard O'Keeffe's men ahead (1-7 to 1-6).

Up stepped Rathgormack number five Glen Power with an outrageous two pointer off the outside of his right boot from the stand side. He won the next kickout and Michael Curry split the posts.

Marquee Nire subs Conor Gleeson and Thomas O'Gorman made a difference as Aaron Ryan and Ciaran Walsh left it 1-9 apiece. Stephen Ryan stopped a certain green flag from Stephen Curry in a mad goalmouth scramble.

The Ballymacarbry side then got penalised for only having three back and Jason Curry tapped over the close range free. Dermot Ryan cancelled it out as three added minutes went up on the board. Billy Power made the long journey home worthwhile as he wrapped his right foot around the ball and swung over the lead point. Conor Murray set up Willie Hahessy for the clincher.

The team that lost three in a row has now won three in a row.

Scorers for Rathgormack: Jason Curry 1-2 (2fs), Glen Power 0-3 (1 2p), James Power 0-2, Willie Hahessy, Billy Power, Michael Curry, Peter Walsh, Conor Murray 0-1 each.

Scorers for The Nire: Dylan Guiry 1-1, Aaron Ryan 0-4, Dermot Ryan 0-2 (1f), Ciaran Walsh, Sean Boyce, Sean Walsh 0-1 each.

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

Subs: Ger Hahessy for Sean Hahessy (23), Reece O'Mahony for Roche (58).

The Nire: Stephen Ryan; Tadhg Walsh, James McGrath, Micheal McMaugh; Jake Mulcahy, Tholom Guiry, Evan Spelman; Sean Walsh, Ciaran Walsh; Michael Morrissey, Aaron Ryan, Sean Boyce; Dermot Ryan, Dylan Guiry, Pat Walsh.

Subs: Conor Gleeson for Boyce (46), Thomas O'Gorman for Tholom Guiry (49), Tom Barron for Pat Walsh (52), Fionn Hallinan for Mulcahy (54).

Referee: Eoin Morrissey.