There was an exciting climax to Group 2 of the SFC on Sunday night as all three games went down to the wire. De La Salle and St Saviours did enough as Gaultier narrowly missed out. Ballinameela stare down a relegation play-off with Ardmore. The clash of Stradbally and Kilrossanty sticks out from the quarter final pairings. The dates, times and venues for those ties are yet to be confirmed.
Intermediate champions De La Salle reached the quarters at the first attempt after a tense 2-8 to 1-10 win over Ballinameela in Fraher Field. The sides were level seven times before points from Mitchell Casey and Ian Cantwell put Seamus Quirke’s side in the driving seat. Casey and Cantwell combined for seven points between them on the night.
The Eastern side held a 2-3 to 0-7 half time advantage. Paddy Kennedy tidied up the crumbs on 23 minutes after Paul Curran palmed away a Conan Watt delivery. A minute before the break, Lee Hayes thumped home from close range. Rob Shine secured Ballinameela’s first goal of the championship sixteen seconds after the restart but ten wides saw their survival push unravel.
St Saviours progressed for the second successive year despite losing to Stradbally at Walsh Park (0-14 to 1-7). The Reds led proceedings at half time by a slender margin (0-6 to 0-5). Joey Phelan converted a penalty with seven minutes left to tie the contest but Stradbally powered home with four unanswered singles.
Gaultier missed the cut after Group 2 winners The Nire staged a dramatic late surge at the Kill venue to sneak past them by 1-9 to 1-7. Brad Carroll’s wonder goal to the top corner early in the second period gave Gaultier a three point cushion. Shane Ryan kept his cool from the penalty spot however to level matters on 56 minutes and injury time points by Conor Gleeson and Brian Wall maintained their winning streak and denied Gaultier knockout football.
Ardmore’s 17 year stay in senior football is under threat after local rivals Clashmore dumped them into a relegation play-off on Saturday night (2-13 to 0-10). The green and red sprinted out of the blocks at Bushy Park. Paul O’Connor’s goal on 14 minutes helped them into an eleven point lead. Niall Hennessy secured Ardmore’s long awaited first point after 17 minutes. Clashmore were out of sight when Noel Smyth managed a second three pointer three minutes before the interval. The 2007 county finalists put in a spirited second half effort but their neighbours celebrated survival at full time.
Ballinacourty were always in control against a weakened Kilrossanty (1-16 to 0-4). The champions reached the dressing room 0-5 to 0-1 on top following a dull first half hour. An early exchange between John Power and Joey Veale were the only points recorded during the opening quarter. Courty kicked on and Mark Ferncombe laid on a goal for Patrick Hurney with nine minutes left to open up a fifteen point gap. The six time winners now hold an intimidating thirteen match unbeaten record in championship fare.
An Rinn secured second place in Group 1 as their attacking flair and pace overcame Rathgormack (0-18 to 0-7) at Stradbally. Donie Breathnach, Liam Ó Lonáin and Lorcán Ó Corraoin all lit up the scoreboard as the Gaeltacht men made it four wins from five. They held a six point cushion by the break (0-11 to 0-5). Jason Curry threatened for Rathgormack but blasted his penalty kick over the bar just before half time. An Rinn ended as resounding victors with sixteen points arriving from play.
Waterford SFC Quarter Finals
The Nire v Rathgormack
Stradbally v Kilrossanty
Ballinacourty v St Saviours
An Rinn v De La Salle
Relegation Play-Off
Ardmore v Ballinameela
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