For the first time in the history of the Waterford senior football championship, Rathgormack and the Nire will meet in the final.
The local rivals have seen their way past Gaultier and Ballinacourty in the semi-finals to secure their place in the decider, which will be played this Sunday in Fraher Field, with throw-in at two o'clock.
Rathgormack were dethroned of their 2019 title only a number of weeks of weeks ago when Ballinacourty ripped the Conway Cup from their arms in Walsh Park, but the reigning champions have been dispatched by an able side from the Nire.
Ger Power's Rathgormack are back for another bite at the apple this weekend. Th side have shipped an amount of injuries this year, but it didn't stop them in their efforts where they notched 2.14 against Gaultier. The manager is happy that some of the younger players have been able to step into the breech when they have been called upon.
We've had a lot of injuries, a lot of long-term injuries, lads that we won't see for another while even. But you know, the young lads who come in - Ronan Elliffe, Jack Hickey, and Glen power, considering it's their first year playing senior; they really stood up today.
Jack, put in savage work there in the first half, especially in the covering back area. Ronan again, he's tagged on another goal today so we're happy with the progress he's making. I thought Glen Power had his best game at wing-back of the four games that he's played. He's been growing into the role there. So yeah, we're happy with that - happy the progress that those new guys are making.
With most people picking against Ballinacourty back in August, it was Rathgormack who flattered to deceive on the day, rarely able to close the gap that Courty had built. Coming to the end of this Championship, Power is more content with where his team are and says the evidence of a team that works well together is clear to be seen.
Our six backs worked together as a unit very, very well. I thought three guys were doing really good man-marking jobs there, and I thought the rest of the backs closed down the space pretty well.
We've got some good counter-attacking players there on the team. So yeah, we're happy. We're happy from that point of view.
But again, we'll look back at the game as always, we'll look for things that we did well, and things that we didn't do so well and see can we brush up on the performance; because going on what we saw in Fraher Field last night, The Nire are a good bit ahead of most of the teams now.
Aiming to stop Rathgormack from making it two titles in three years is The Nire. Local rivals who have never met in the decider; with statistics stretching back as far as 1885.
Michael Ryan's side have been the package that impressed most this year, and ably did away with the defending Champions on Friday evening. The Ballymacarbry native is juggling several balls this year, with The Nire, Fourmilewater (hurling), Ballmac ladies as well as U20 hurling duties. The Deise GAA stalwart has achieved a lot in his time on the sideline, but one medal that alluded him as a player was a senior county medal.
We were beaten in two county finals in '87 and '89; I came on as a sub in '89 briefly. But look, I mean, it's not about me, it's about our group of players. That's the most important thing to have a really good group of players and for the club as well because you know, we've left a few county finals behind us over the years. This county final is far from one. There's a real big test coming up.
This year, players have been able to enjoy playing their games with a sole focus on the game at hand. No splitting time between hurling and football has proved to be a success with teams able to dedicate themselves to one over the other. Ryan thinks it's made a difference to them.
It probably has because I think we have about fourteen dual players. I think Shane O Meara is the only fella and he's starting back playing hurling again. So hopefully we get more of him next year but I think it has yes, it's allowed us to concentrate first of all on the hurling and give it all, and then there was a nice break to the football. As I said the lads have been absolutely flying training and we knew they were capable of this performance, and thanks to be to God they turned it on tonight.
With one last step needed to claim a first title for the Nire since 2018, there's only thing that lies in their way, and that of course is their Comeragh neighbours.
There's a real big test coming up. We'll relax tonight, we'll enjoy it, we'll recover and then we'll get ready. There's a lot of football to be played before this year's county final will be won.
