De La Salle and Fourmilewater have joined Ballygunner in the semi-finals of the Waterford Senior Hurling Championship following a thrilling day of action across the county.
14-man Fourmilewater saw off 13-man Abbeyside 0-15 to 2-08 at Fraher Field to make the last four for the first time since 2015, in a game where three red cards were shown in the opening quarter.
Michael O’Halloran received a straight red card from referee Nicky O’Toole with just five minutes played, as he was adjudged to have been the cause of an incident where a Fourmilewater player’s helmet was removed. It went from bad to worse for Abbeyside, as his teammate Willie Beresford joined him in the stand on twelve minutes - lashing out at Conor Gleeson, having been fouled by the Waterford defender.
Two minutes after that, it was Gleeson’s turn to leave the field - he was shown a second yellow card by O’Toole having dragged down Brian Looby.
It was a game unlikely to be remembered for hurling, but Fourmilewater led 0-8 to 0-5 at the break, largely thanks to the efforts of star midfield duo Dermot Ryan (0-4) and Jamie Barron.
Michael Ryan’s men motored seven points clear after the break as they looked to have made their numerical advantage count, but they suddenly found themselves with their backs to the wall late on.
Abbeyside threw men forward in search of goals and drew blood when Michael Kiely buried a penalty on the brink of stoppage time. Hearts were soon in Fourmilewater mouths as Seanie Callaghan picked out Conor Prunty and he battered the sliotar to the net to make it a one-point affair, but it was the Ballymacarbry men who held on by the skin of their teeth to prevail.
De La Salle booked their place in the final four courtesy of a 2-21 to 0-22 win against Eastern rivals Clonea in Carrickbeg. The Gracedieu side got off to the perfect start, with impressive youngster Jack Twomey netting his third goal of the championship with less than three minutes on the clock.
Clonea battled back valiantly from that early setback with the usual suspects of Billy Power and Jason Gleeson to the fore, but they were dealt a hammer blow on the cusp of half time as De La Salle struck their second green flag.
Eddie Meaney caught Shaun O’Brien’s puckout and went on a wonderful run up the field, before finishing with aplomb to give his side a 2-9 to 0-11 lead at the interval.
Clonea hit back with a number of scores but it was De La Salle who prevailed on a scoreline of 2-21 to 0-22, with Reuben Halloran and Thomas Douglas shining in the second half. Halloran finished the afternoon with a personal tally of 0-10.
The action concludes this evening with the clash of Mount Sion and Roanmore from 6pm in Carriganore with the semi-final draw to follow.
