The Nire held off a late rally from a Paul Whyte inspired Kilrossanty at Fraher Field on Sunday (2-11 to 1-11) to set up a semi final clash with reigning champions Rathgormack. The Comeragh neighbours have met in last three county finals.
In a cracking quarter final, first half goals from Ciaran Walsh and Dylan Guiry gave Derek Lyons' side a seven point lead early in the second half but the green and gold never gave up. Paul Whyte retired from inter county football in 2018 due to chronic hip problems but reminded Waterford followers all about his talents. The target man shot 1-7 as Kilrossanty took The Nire to the wire. Six second half points and one each by Padraig Fitzgerald and Alan Dunwoody brought them within a goal entering injury time.
Whyte dragged a late chance off target and injured himself in the process. The number 30 received a round of applause as he left the field. In the dying seconds, Caoimhin Walsh launched a high ball around the house but it sailed left and wide.
The first quarter was end to end stuff. Walsh and Guiry goaled for The Nire while Whyte rattled the roof of the net. Two Jamie Barron points left last year's runners-up 2-5 to 1-3 ahead at the break. The Nire lost captain Tholom Guiry to injury on 35 minutes but hung on for victory.
Waterford SFC Semi Finals: Gaultier v Abbeyside-Ballinacourty, Rathgormack v The Nire
