It'll be a repeat of last year's decider in the JJ Kavanagh & Sons Co. Senior football Championship Final after Ballinacourty overcame Western rivals The Nire in an absorbing semi-final duel in the bitter cold of Fraher Field.
'Courty despite being short the services of Conor Prunty, Neil Montgomery and David Looby delivered a display of great gusto and determination, which sets them with a re-match against defending champions Rathgormack in next Saturday's Co. Final (3 pm throw-in @ Walsh Park).
SFC COUNTY FINAL
Rathgormack v Ballinacourty
Saturday 10th October
Walsh Park at 3pm
❤💚— Rathgormack GAA (@rathgormackgaa) October 3, 2020
After an open and fast-paced opening half, it was The Nire who held a two point lead at half-time (1-8 to 1-6), with Tholum Guiry and James O' Mahony exchanging goals with two excellent finishes, while the lively Shane O' Meara kicked three points from play for the Ballymac outfit who lost Conor Gleeson through a hamstring injury in that first-half period.
Ballinacourty started like a house on fire in the second-half reeling off 1-4 without reply, including a fisted goal by Mark Ferncombe who ended the game with 1-3 from centre forward in a real tour de force performance. Patrick Hurney also delivered a huge display from the edge of the square for 'Courty, he ended with 6 points (4 frees and 2 from play). The Nire fought to the bitter end but couldn't find the goal they so badly needed and so for the second year in succession had to give best to Ballinacourty in the last four, but this game will be remembered as a terrific tussle between these great rivals.
Final score at the Dungarvan venue; Ballinacourty 2-12 The Nire 1-12, Referee: Tommy O' Sullivan (Affane/Cappoquin)
That magical Mark Ferncombe point for Ballinacourty in tonight's Waterford SFC Semi Final pic.twitter.com/SkS4OMeee2
— Tomás McCarthy (@tomasmcc) October 3, 2020
