Clashmore Kinsalbeg are Waterford Premier Intermediate Hurling champions after a dramatic victory over Brickey Rangers at Cappoquin Logistics Fraher Field, securing senior status for the first time in the club’s 141-year history.

In a thrilling Cappoquin Logistics Waterford Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship final, Clashmore Kinsalbeg produced a remarkable second-half performance to eventually prevail 2-16 to 0-20.

The victory means Clashmore will compete in the Waterford Senior Hurling Championship for the first time in 2027, while they will also progress to the Munster Intermediate Championship.

The game was level 1-7 to 10 points at half-time, with Brickey Rangers having looked the more comfortable side for long periods of the opening half before Clashmore struck for a crucial goal shortly before the break.

The second half developed into an absorbing battle, with neither side willing to give an inch.

Brickey Rangers moved back in front early in the half, but Clashmore continued to threaten and substitute Shane Coughlan made an immediate impact from the bench with a superb score from the left to bring the gap back to two points.

Josh Fitzgerald then produced one of the scores of the afternoon, firing over from an almost impossible angle to leave just one between the sides.

The momentum was firmly with Clashmore and Aidan Treacy subsequently levelled the game once again.

It was the seventh time the sides had been level, underlining just how little separated the teams throughout a tense championship final.

Tom O’Connell restored Brickey Rangers’ lead from a free, but Clashmore continued to find answers.

Then came a huge moment as Brian Lynch produced another outstanding score, working his way through the Brickey defence before splitting the posts to level the game for an eighth time.

Lynch was inspirational throughout the contest, repeatedly causing problems with his pace, strength and direct running.

With the game entering its final stages, however, it was another Clashmore substitute who produced the decisive moment.

Luke Coughlan collected possession and pulled on the ball from the ground, sending a low finish into the Brickey Rangers net.

It was a classic championship goal, and suddenly Clashmore had a decisive advantage.

Brickey Rangers refused to give up, and Dara O’Grady responded with a point to reduce the deficit, setting up a frantic final few minutes.

Clashmore had opportunities to extend their advantage, while Brickey Rangers continued to push forward in search of a goal that would have dramatically changed the destination of the title.

Ty De Bórca then produced another crucial moment for Clashmore, firing over to restore a three-point advantage with just 90 seconds of normal time remaining.

The defender had already played a hugely influential role throughout the contest, including a superb hook earlier in the second half to deny what looked like a clear Brickey Rangers goal opportunity.

Tom O’Connell kept Brickey’s hopes alive with his ninth point of the afternoon, reducing the deficit to two with the clock entering injury time.

Three additional minutes were signalled, but Clashmore held their nerve.

Brickey Rangers launched one final attack, but Clashmore’s defence stood firm.

As the final seconds ticked away, the ball was sent into the Brickey attack, but Tadhg de Búrca rose highest to claim possession, effectively ending the contest.

The final whistle followed moments later.

Clashmore Kinsalbeg were Waterford Premier Intermediate champions.

The scenes at Fraher Field were extraordinary as players, management and supporters celebrated a victory which will go down as one of the most significant days in the club’s history.

After 141 years, Clashmore Kinsalbeg are senior hurlers for the first time.

Brian Lynch, Ty De Bórca, Brian O’Halloran, Dara Ryan and Luke Coughlin were among the standout performers in a team which showed enormous character to recover from difficult periods and find a way to win when the game was on the line.

For Brickey Rangers, it was a heartbreaking afternoon. They had been unbeaten throughout the year and had looked well placed at various stages of the final, but ultimately fell just short after producing a hugely competitive performance.

For Clashmore Kinsalbeg, however, this was a day that will live long in the memory.

The club will now prepare for life in the Waterford Senior Hurling Championship in 2027, where they will come up against some of the county’s biggest clubs.

But before then, there is a Munster Intermediate Championship campaign to look forward to.

Clashmore Kinsalbeg 2-16
Brickey Rangers 0-20

A historic day for Clashmore Kinsalbeg — and a victory which finally takes the club into the senior ranks after 141 years of waiting.

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