Clonea have dramatically retained their senior status after a thrilling 2-21 to 3-16 victory over Dungarvan in the JJ Kavanagh & Sons Senior Hurling Championship Relegation Play-Off at Fraher Field.

The result means Dungarvan will drop to Premier Intermediate level for the first time in 17 years, while Clonea live to fight another year at senior level.

It was a game that swung dramatically throughout, with Dungarvan appearing to have one foot towards safety at one stage before Clonea produced a stunning turnaround.

Dungarvan led by six points with just five minutes remaining in the first half, but Clonea responded with a crucial goal from Stephen Curry to bring the sides level for the fifth time.

Curry’s goal came after James Power had worked hard to keep the attack alive. When the initial chance appeared to have gone, Curry reacted quickest to the rebound and fired the ball into the net to make it 1-11 to 2-8 at the break.

The Power brothers were hugely influential for Clonea, with James and Gearóid Power both playing major roles as the game developed.

Gearóid Power put Clonea ahead shortly after the restart with his first point of the evening, before Kieran Power and others continued to cause problems for the Dungarvan defence.

Dungarvan refused to go away, however, with Johnny Burke leading the charge. Burke finished with 1-5 and was central to the Dungarvan effort throughout the contest, while Ryan McGovern also contributed 1-3.

As the clock moved into additional time, the tension increased considerably.

Dungarvan were still within touching distance, but their task became even harder when Clonea were reduced to 14 men.

Willie Hassey, already on a yellow card, was shown a second yellow following a professional foul as Dungarvan threatened to create a goal chance.

That gave Dungarvan a late opportunity, and Eddie Burke stepped up to strike a low free into the bottom corner of the net.

The score reduced the deficit to just two points with 45 seconds of additional time remaining.

Suddenly, Dungarvan had a route back into the game.

Clonea, though, held their nerve.

They defended desperately during the closing stages and eventually saw out the result, despite a number of late wides.

Francis Roche was another key figure for the winners, finishing with seven points, while Stephen Curry’s goal proved to be the defining moment of the contest.

For Dungarvan, there was heartbreak at the final whistle.

They had fought until the very end and introduced Patrick Curran for his first appearance of the championship after he returned home in an effort to help keep the club’s senior status alive.

But ultimately, the long-standing senior run has come to an end.

There was also a remarkable symmetry to the result.

Dungarvan had defeated Clonea back in 2009 to reach senior level.

Seventeen years later, it was Clonea who delivered the blow that sent Dungarvan back down to Premier Intermediate.

For Clonea, it was a night of survival.

For Dungarvan, it marked the end of a 17-year spell among Waterford’s senior hurling elite.

Final score: Clonea 2-21, Dungarvan 3-16.

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