In a tight and tense final round last weekend, Lismore and Dungarvan were squeezed out and left to count the cost of earlier defeats. Lismore lost control of their own destiny with narrow losses to Fourmilewater and Ballyduff Upper while the Blues let a lead slip against Mount Sion and also didn't have the necessary strength in depth. With these two eliminated, Tallow, Ballygunner and Abbeyside all pressed on to the quarter finals. As the action unfolded on Saturday and Sunday evening, the texts, the tweets and the phone calls flowed freely from venue to venue. The combination of results tees up a heavyweight bout between De La Salle and Ballygunner in the quarters and three other close calls.
In Group 1, Lismore bowed out despite dishing out a 25 point walloping to An Rinn. They needed Tallow to slip up against De La Salle but their next door neighbours claimed a 2-10 to 0-13 win at Fraher Field. The county champions were depleted due to the absence of All Stars John Mullane and Kevin Moran along with Waterford minor Adam Farrell. The Bridesiders took full advantage. They did the heavy lifting in the first half with a pair of goals from the stick of Thomas Ryan. He fired his first in the sixth minute and Shane Feeney supplied his second on 17 minutes. Shaun O’Sullivan’s super penalty save from Jake Dillon was sandwiched in between and that preserved their two goal advantage until half time (2-5 to 0-5). Although De La Salle inched their way back, the experience of Mark O’Brien and James Murray in defence along with a seven point showing from Paul Kearney chiselled out a three point win. Lismore kept up their end of the bargain with a merciless 7-23 to 0-19 mauling of An Rinn in Clashmore. A double from Dan Shanahan and a Chris O’Gorman strike allowed them to cruise 3-14 to 0-9 clear by the interval. Further green flags followed courtesy of Paudie Prendergast, John Heneghan, David Howard and Jordan Shanahan but their efforts proved to be in vain. Fourmilewater sealed second spot as they came good after the break to prevail by 1-21 to 1-9 against a weakened Ballyduff Upper. The sides were tied at 0-8 to 1-5 at half time with Kevin Casey netting for the Reds. Fourmile’ strode out with greater purpose at the start of the second period and a burst of 1-5 without reply in the opening ten minutes, including a Jamie Barron goal, clinched the contest.
In Group 2, the Gunners took care of business at Walsh Park with a comfortable 2-17 to 1-9 success over Passage. Brian O’Sullivan’s third minute blast established early supremacy and despite the best efforts of Killian Fitzgerald and Owen Connors, Ballygunner held a 1-7 to 0-6 half time cushion. Passage were hindered by the loss of Eoin Kelly to injury at the break and their opponents kicked on. JJ Hutchinson cracked home a second goal to see Andy Moloney’s men home. Sean Hogan tucked away a consolation for Passage. That left a local squabble between Abbeyside and Dungarvan to decide the remaining quarter final contestant. For so long it looked like Dungarvan would be ones to the progress. With 40 minutes on the watch, they led by 0-13 to 0-6 with Patrick Curran striking sweetly from frees. Meanwhile, Abbeyside shot a heap of draining wides to spoil the good work of their half back line. Patrick Hurney shook them up however and another hefty personal total of 1-4, including a belter of a goal on 42 minutes, swung the contest. Goalkeeper Stephen Enright lashed home a penalty with ten minutes to go and while that put them in front, Dungarvan restored parity entering injury time with a peach from Cormac Curran. Mark Gorman showed steadiness over a late free on the sideline to edge them over the line (2-11 to 0-16). Eight points courtesy of Stephen Roche allowed Mount Sion to pull clear of Roanmore at the Kill grounds and nab top spot in the table (0-17 to 0-10).
Waterford SHC Quarter Finals
To be played September 14/15
De La Salle v Ballygunner
Fourmilewater v Abbeyside
Mount Sion v Tallow
Passage v Ballyduff Upper
Relegation Play-Off
An Rinn v Roanmore
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