Quarter final picture becomes clearer - Waterford SFC Round 4 In Brief

After the completion of five round 4 fixtures over the weekend, seven teams have qualified for the quarter final stages. The final round of games next weekend will only serve to clarify the standings in the two groups and iron out relegation matters

In Group 1, The Nire guaranteed their progress as group winners with a 14 point demolition of St Saviours at Walsh Park. Ardmore moved into second position by disposing of Rathgormack in a low scoring affair on Friday night. Things were less straightforward for Ballinacourty as they were pushed all the way by Gaultier. Barry Mullane and JJ Hutchinson cracked home goals for the Eastern outfit but Gary and Patrick Hurney weighed in heavily at the other end to move Courty into the knockout rounds. The final round of fixtures will determine the positions of Ardmore, Rathgormack and Ballinacourty in the group. Gaultier and St Saviours meet next Saturday to decide which team will enter the relegation play-off. Saviours only need a draw to stay afloat.

Clashmore edged past An Rinn on Saturday night to take top spot in Group 2. A Lorcán Ó Cuirrín goal gave the Gaeltacht men an early lead but Clashmore’s efficient forward unit imposed their will led by the likes of Tadhg Bourke, Cillian O’Keeffe and Brian O’Halloran. They established a five point cushion in the second period and held out after that. A burst of 1-2 in the space of two minutes before half time saw Stradbally get the better of Brickey Rangers. Robert Ahearne, Niall Curran and David Grey all raised green flags to ease their passage to the next stage. They will encounter An Rinn in round 5 and that game will resolve which team finishes second or third. Kilrossanty’s clash with Dungarvan has been rescheduled for Wednesday night. If John Kiely’s side prevail, they will grab the last quarter final spot and finish in fourth position. A Kilrossanty win would also result in a quarter final date with The Nire. The Brickeys are pencilled in for a fifth round game against Dungarvan next Sunday evening and the loser will fall into the relegation play-off.

Round 4 Results:

Group 1
Ardmore 1-8 Rathgormack 0-6
Ballinacourty 0-15 Gaultier 2-7
The Nire 1-16 St Saviours 0-5

Group 2
Clashmore 0-14 An Rinn 1-10
Stradbally 3-11 Brickey Rangers 0-7