Waterford SFC Quarter Final Round-Up

Two double headers at Fraher Field over the weekend determined the final four for this year’s JJ Kavanagh senior football championship. The big three of the Nire, Ballinacourty and Stradbally all advanced while Kilrossanty shaded a tight call against Brickey Rangers. In the semi finals Ballinacourty received a favourable draw against Kilrossanty while old rivals the Nire and Stradbally go head to head in a familiar pairing.

Semi Final Draw
The Nire v Stradbally
Ballinacourty v Kilrossanty

Quarter Finals
The Nire 0-12 An Rinn 1-7
An Rinn battled to the very end on Saturday evening with a strong second half showing but couldn’t reel in an experienced Nire outfit. A four point haul from Brian Wall helped the Nire into a 0-9 to 1-2 half time lead. Shane O’Ceallaigh blasted to the net from the penalty spot for An Rinn to keep their hopes alive on 24 minutes. Liam Lawlor extended the Nire’s lead to five minutes into the second period but the outsiders persisted. Shane O’Ceallaigh, Noel O’Murchu and Donal Breathnach all tagged on white flags to leave only a point between the sides entering injury time. Two missed frees from Breathnach proved costly for the Gaeltacht side however as a late Brian Wall effort kept the Nire in contention for the Conway Cup.

Kilrossanty 0-12 Brickey Rangers 0-9
John Kiely’s side emerged victorious in an untidy encounter under the lights with their substitutes playing a key role. After a drab opening half the sides were all square at four points apiece. It took all of twenty minutes before the first score arrived through Conor McGrath. The second half brought about an improvement in quality as Kilrossanty edged in front. Paul Whyte, Joey Veale along with substitutes Michael Walsh and Colin Doyle supplied the key scores to see them through.

Ballinacourty 4-12 Gaultier 1-7
Ballinacourty held the upper hand from start to finish here to maintain their title challenge. Mark Ferncombe and Gary Hurney hit first half goals to build up a 2-5 to 1-2 interval lead. JJ Hutchinson provided brief respite for the city side while Anthony Fitzgerald registered their goal. Normal service resumed after half time with Fercombe helping himself to a second major and Patrick Hurney also getting in on the goal act.

Stradbally 0-13 Ardmore 1-6
The three in a row dream lives on for the Reds after eventually getting to grips with Ardmore in the last quarter final clash on Sunday. The sides went in at the break tied at five points each with Shane Aherne prominent for Stradbally with three and Alan North also chipping in with three for Ardmore. Four points on the trot appeared to put the holders in charge but North responded with a goal to leave the minimum between the sides. Stradbally nailed the last three points however through Tommy Connors and two from Niall Curran. The experienced Curran emerged as Stradbally’s leading scorer with five points on the night.