Rathgormack have booked their place in the JJ Kavanagh & Sons Co. Senior Football Championship final after edging out Gaultier by two points in a thrilling semi-final at Azzurri Walsh Park.

Rathgormack emerged victorious on a scoreline of 1-14 to 0-15 after a closely contested encounter that went right down to the closing stages.

Gaultier made an excellent start, with JJ Hutchinson leading the early scoring as he registered four points inside the opening six minutes.

Francis Roche and James Power responded for Gaultier, with Power landing a two-pointer as the sides exchanged scores during an entertaining opening period.

Rathgormack gradually worked their way into the contest, with Dessie Hutchinson and Billy O’Keeffe among those contributing to their tally.

A goal from James Power in the 24th minute helped Gaultier establish a lead, but Rathgormack stayed in touch. Stephen Curry’s late first-half scores ensured the sides remained within reach of one another at the break, with Gaultier leading by 1-8 to 0-7.

Rathgormack continued to chip away at the deficit after the restart, with Curry and Conor Murray among the scorers as the momentum began to shift.

Gaultier remained dangerous, with JJ Hutchinson and Dessie Hutchinson keeping the scoreboard moving. Dessie Hutchinson’s two-pointer in the 60th minute brought Gaultier to within touching distance, leaving the contest finely balanced heading into the closing stages.

However, Rathgormack held their nerve in the final minutes to secure a two-point victory and their place in the championship decider.

The result ends Gaultier’s hopes of reaching the final, while Rathgormack can now look forward to a place in the battle for the Waterford Senior Football Championship title.

Full-time: Rathgormack 1-14 Gaultier 0-15.