Reds return to familiar surroundings as champions tumble

Stradbally 2-12 Ballinacourty 0-12

Stradbally will contest their tenth final in twelve years next month after taking care of the county champions in an entertaining and surprisingly high scoring semi final. Their full forward combination of Robert Ahearne, Shane Ahearne and Niall Curran contributed all but one point of their 2-12 total. Their simple tactic of supplying quick ball to the two Ahearnes reaped dividends all afternoon and Stradbally also made the most of their scoring opportunities when presented with them. By contrast, Ballinacourty were left to reflect on what might have been after leaving three goals behind them in the opening half. The Reds edged that first thirty minutes by 0-6 to 0-5. On the turnover, Shane Ahearne’s goal gave them breathing space of five points but Gary Hurney kept Courty in contention. An outrageous curling point off his left reduced the arrears to the minimum on 52 minutes but that was as close as they came. Stradbally outscored them by 1-4 to 0-2 for the remainder with Niall Curran finishing to the net in the last minute of normal time.

Scorers:- Stradbally: N. Curran 1-6 (1f), S. Ahearne 1-3(1f), R. Ahearne 0-2, G. Power 0-1.
Ballinacourty: G. Hurney 0-8 (4f), S.Briggs, S. O’Hare, P. Hurney, M. Gorman 0-1 each.

The Nire 1-8 Kilrossanty 0-9
In a drab quarter final replay, Shane Ryan’s second half goal and the leadership shown by Liam Lawlor brought The Nire a step closer to the Conway Cup. Kilrossanty were reduced to fourteen men in first half stoppage time when Michael Kirwan received a second yellow. Three Brian Wall frees and a point apiece from Shane Ryan and Seamus Lawlor gave the Ballymacarbry outfit a 0-5 to 0-3 lead after a forgettable half of football. Paul Whyte’s unerring free taking from a variety of angles and distances dragged John Kiely’s men level at seven points each entering the final quarter. Then on 45 minutes, The Nire struck for the crucial score when Shane Ryan palmed to the net after Jamie Barron’s goal attempt was blocked. Brian Wall and Shane Walsh both came off injured but The Nire soldiered on and set up a semi final meeting with Clashmore.

Scorers:- The Nire: S. Ryan 1-2, B. Wall 0-2 (2f), S. Lawlor, M. O’Gorman, J. Barron, L. Lawlor 0-1 each.
Kilrossanty: P. Whyte 0-7 (7f), J. Veale, P. Keating 0-1 each.