Roanmore, De La Salle and Fourmilewater have joined champions Ballygunner in the semi-finals of the Waterford Senior Hurling Championship following a thrilling day of action across the county.
Gavin O’Brien hit a personal tally of 0-15 in a superb display for Roanmore, who saw off an Austin Gleeson-inspired Mount Sion by 1-18 to 0-17.
Roanmore started the brighter in the clash with their city rivals at the SETU Arena, with Gavin O’Brien scoring two frees before a well taken point from the left flank, either side of a Lee Flanagan dead ball which opened the Sion account.
Austin Gleeson and Gavin O’Brien (2) traded further frees, as Billy Nolan walloped over a tremendous point from his own half to push Roanmore 0-6 to 0-2 ahead on the quarter hour.
Mount Sion began to grow into the tie, Alan Kirwan setting up Stephen Roche before knocking over a score of his own, and two excellent scores from Jamie Gleeson also did little harm to their chances.
O’Brien was immense from the dead ball in the first half, pointing 0-8 in total as he struck over the bar amongst a crowd, but despite their slight superiority, Roanmore only had a two point advantage to show for their first half endeavours - 0-10 to 0-8 at the break.
The sides traded scores for the majority of the third quarter, with some of the free-taking on display from Austin Gleeson (0-8) and O’Brien worth the admission fee alone, Gleeson twice pointing from the edge of his own area.
Martin ‘Blondie’ O’Neill hit two inspirational scores as did Gleeson and younger brother Jamie, and suddenly the sides were locked at 0-15 apiece. It was at this juncture that the pivotal moment came, Shane Mackey picking up the sliotar and blasting it across Iggy O’Regan into the roof of the net for the game’s solitary goal.
Emmet O’Toole was very lucky not to receive his marching orders for an incident off the ball with Tommy McGrath, but despite throwing the kitchen sink at their rivals, The Monastery Men couldn’t dent Roanmore’s advantage, as they held on for local bragging rights.
The semi-final draw has since been made, with Ballygunner taking on Fourmilewater and Roanmore meeting De La Salle - the ties will take place this coming weekend.
