Waterford defender Mark Fitzgerald fired three points from play as Passage edged out Lismore in a nail biting senior hurling preliminary quarter final at Fraher Field (0-20 to 1-15).
Goalkeeper Eddy Lynch pulled off a vital save from Ben O'Sullivan in the closing stages while inside backs Ciaran O'Neill, Callum O'Neill and Kevin Cullinane also emerged as heroes. Thomas Carey (0-6) and Mikey Cummins (0-3) led the way up front. Lismore lost Jack Prendergast and Aaron Whelan to injury during the second half. Paudie Prendergast posed their biggest threat in attack with 1-1 while captain Finbar Reaney also stood out.
Five Thomas Carey points gave Passage a 0-11 to 1-5 lead at the break. Jack Prendergast set up Paudie Prendergast for a Lismore goal on 25 minutes. Passage finished the half stronger as Mark Fitzgerald sent over his second long range point. Fitzgerald picked up county team mate Jack Prendergast. Carey also landed a monster score from his own 65.
Four Maurice Shanahan points (three frees) drew Lismore level by the 41st minute (0-12 to 1-9). Passage sprung Owen Connors off the bench and the 2013 county medallist got two points. Gary Cullinane launched two from distance as the Eastern side moved four clear. Paudie Prendergast blasted over a goal chance at the other end.
Long serving Passage shot stopper Eddy Lynch denied Lismore goal machine Ben O'Sullivan with nine minutes left. Finbar Reaney and Ray Barry closed the gap to two before Jack Prendergast limped off injured. Fitzgerald and Carey handed Passage a two score advantage entering injury time.
In an edge of the seat finish, O'Sullivan struck two late Lismore points while Carey missed a Passage goal chance. With only two between them, Reaney launched a ball into the Passage square but Fitzgerald emerged with possession and won a relieving free out.
