Steely Stradbally grind it out – Stradbally 1-8 The Nire 0-10

Once more you scratch your head and wonder how they keep coming back for more. Even in the most unlikely of circumstances and with their backs to the wall, they find the winning formula. Maybe they were a bit below their best but when it comes to winning matches, nobody does it better. They have defied the pundits time after time when written off. You can talk about a big three in Waterford football but when a team wins eight titles in twelve years, this Stradbally bunch stand out on their own.

Cast your mind back twelve months to that mudbath and despite the fact that Ballinacourty deservedly came out on top, Stradbally nearly nicked it. Underestimate them at your peril. Although they lined out with eight players over the thirty mark, that experienced core pulled them out of mire. They showed resilience and a mental capacity to keep plugging away that has been accumulated over time. They are relentless in their pursuit of victory. Even in a pulsating, see saw battle like Saturday’s replay became, they held their nerve. When speaking with Michael Walsh after the game, it was striking how calm he was given the welter of excitement and the emotion of the occasion. They don’t lack in football ability either especially when you have Tony Grey, Walsh, Ger Power, John Coffey and Niall Curran on board. The Ahearnes bring a different dimension and Shane played a captain’s part in keeping them afloat during the first half. They did Sean Ahearne proud because he instilled many of those traits into them over his tenure. Pat Curran did a fine job in the bainsteoir’s bib to maintain this incredible winning streak in trademark Stradbally fashion.

They drew on all their traditional attributes to get them out a tight corner. Yet again, they lost their way in the opening quarter. They slipped four behind after fifteen minutes and they also lost two of their old warriors in Trevor Costelloe and John Hearne. It was bruising battle at times with three players being taken to hospital. Stradbally refused to yield and the direct ball to their inside forwards paved the way for scores. They remained patient even when The Nire cut out their deliveries and when they miscued in front of goal. They assessed the situation and worked out a solution. Ger Power’s goal gave them a boost as they surged two ahead. The Nire fought back yet David Grey had the last word. Left on the sidelines after making a big impression at the start of the championship, he proved a point with an ice cool finish.

Their defensive fortitude has also been a central plank to their success and for the second weekend running, they kept their goal intact. Manager Pat Curran highlighted that aspect of their game afterwards. “You must remember that we gave away no goal again. We worked very hard on that and only for Oliver Costelloe the last day we might not be standing here today.” They only conceded three goals all season with Clashmore and Ardmore the two teams to put the ball past Costelloe. Defending isn’t always a polished art and Stradbally make the hard hits when required. Opposition teams have scored an average of nine points against them in the championship which is a mean concession rate.

Like the drawn game, The Nire were left wondering how they didn’t finish the job. They led by four after the first quarter and still kept the margin at three going down the final furlong. Maurice O’Gorman, Shane Walsh and Liam Lawlor gave the direction and they appeared to have things under control. Lawlor’s departure undoubtedly contributed to their downfall. All through this championship, he led the line superbly and tucked away two points with aplomb in the first half. Shorn of his leadership and a focus up front, they took a couple of wrong options and hit five second half wides. Stradbally also forced some turnovers in The Nire’s end of the field. Their lead should have been greater at half time and when the Reds began to turn the screw, a few doubts crept in and the script became all too familiar. Over the course of ten games they probably played the best football and in Liam Lawlor they had the outstanding forward in the championship but Stradbally edged them out on final day. The winner takes it all.

It will rank as one of the more enjoyable and entertaining finals in recent memory. With conditions in their favour, these two teams played a more attractive brand of football. These games are always fraught with tension and nerves. For the third year running, the football decider was won by a single point. That slice of quality can be lacking in these types of encounters but on Saturday the score taking, the pace of the contest and the intensity in the challenges was of a high standard for club level. Finals are for winning however and Stradbally know how to win.

County final stats

Wides

Stradbally: 8 The Nire: 6

45s
Stradbally: 1 The Nire: 2

Frees
Stradbally: 15 The Nire: 22

Yellow cards
Stradbally: 4 (T Grey, A Doyle, S Lannon, S Cunningham) The Nire: 2 (D Guiry, J McGrath)

Subs used
Stradbally: 5 The Nire: 2

Scoring chances
Stradbally: 9/20 The Nire: 10/20