Defending champions Rathgormack are through to the Waterford SFC final for the sixth year in a row after an emphatic eleven point win over The Nire at Fraher Field (1-19 to 2-5).
Jason Curry led the way with nine points while Stephen Curry (1-2), Jason Gleeson (0-4), James Power (0-2) and Conor Murray (0-2) also played starring roles. High fielder Peter Walsh was outstanding at midfield. Jamie Barron was, by far and away, The Nire’s best performer. The All Star hurler shot 1-3 from play for the Ballymacarbry side.
The scoreboard read three points apiece after eleven minutes. Jason Gleeson, Stephen Curry and Jason Curry raised white flags for Rathgormack. At the other end, Dermot Ryan sent over a free before Jamie Barron struck points off left and right.
With Peter and Tom Walsh dominating the middle third, Rathgormack reeled off seven unanswered points in the space of fifteen minutes. Jason Curry supplied five with James Power and Conor Murray also on target.
The Nire went eighteen minutes without a score. A fisted effort from Evan Spellman ended that barren spell. Billy Power, back from Dubai, came on as a blood replacement for Jason Curry. With his first involvement, he won a free which Jason Gleeson converted. 11-4 at the break to the holders.
Jason Gleeson punched over his third point two minutes into the second period. The Nire’s best player Jamie Barron kicked his third of the afternoon but that was as good as it got for the Ballymacarbry men.
James Power split the posts before he assisted two more singles for Jason Curry and Conor Murray. On 42 minutes, Peter Walsh intercepted a Nire kick pass and sent Adam Murray through on goal. Stephen Ryan got a hand to his shot but Stephen Curry palmed to the unguarded net.
Rathgormack boss Kenny Hassett could empty his bench in the last quarter ahead of next weekend’s county final. The green and red led by 17 points at one stage. Nire sub Ciaran Looney crashed home a consolation goal six minutes from the end. Jamie Barron then blasted to the roof of the net.
