Powerful finish seals hard-fought treble for Rathgormack
Rathgormack’s Captain Willie Hahessy holds the Conway Cup high following the presentation by Neil Moore, Chairman Co. GAA Board much to the delight of his team mates after their JJ Kavanagh & Sons Co. Senior Football Championship win over The Nire. Photos: Sean Byrne
Plumes of green and red smoke filled the Fraher Field air on Sunday afternoon as Rathgormack celebrated a hard-earned three in a row against The Nire.
The sides were level on six occasions in the Dungarvan sunshine before injury time points from Billy Power and Willie Hahessy sealed victory for Kenny Hassett's side. Power’s journeys back and forth from Abu Dhabi were worth every penny! With the Conway Cup up for grabs, the number 24 put his head down and, just inside the arc, wrapped his right foot around the ball to send his team in front.
Wayward shooting threatened to derail their treble dreams. They were guilty of eleven wides while Nire goalkeeper Stephen Ryan made super saves from Willie Hahessy and Stephen Curry. The heads never dropped, however. Like the semi-final, they found a way while not firing on all cylinders. Wing back Glen Power stepped up with three points, including a sensational orange flag in the second half off the outside of his right. The Power brothers covered every blade of grass. Captain Wille Hahessy produced big moments in defence and attack. Jason Curry coolly finished to the bottom corner of the net just before the break.
The team that lost three in a row has now won three in a row. The first Waterford side since Stradbally to do so. The players who promised so much with three county Under 21s in 2011, 2013 and 2015 have delivered four county seniors in seven years. The next objective is to leave a mark on Munster. A one-point loss to Dr Crokes last year means that they have unfinished business in that competition.
Managers Kenny Hassett and Richard O’Keeffe shared a warm embrace on the sideline at the end of this titanic battle. The Nire threw the kitchen sink at the champions. Sean Walsh put on an exhibition of high fielding. Top scorer Aaron Ryan continued his rich vein of form with four points from play off left and right. He finished the championship on 1-23. Conor Gleeson, Thomas O'Gorman and Tom Barron all entered the fray in the second half. O’Gorman could have been introduced sooner, as his tackling and distribution looked razor sharp. Jamie Barron togged out but didn't feature due to a knee injury. Tholom Guiry also limped off the field.
Disappointingly, there was no parade or musical entertainment on Sunday. Not even a few tunes over the PA. A fuss should be made on county final day. Every player should get to march behind the band. This felt like a run-of-the-mill club match. The Nire fans did make an effort with a giant flag and a giant banner on the bank.
Rathgormack dominated possession in the first period against the breeze but only had a one-point lead to show for it (1-5 to 1-4). A Willie Hahessy block on Sean Boyce led to a first-minute single for James Power. Glen Power then saw his two-point effort tipped over by Stephen Ryan. In the sixth minute, Michael Morrissey put Dylan Guiry clean through at the other end, and he planted the ball to the bottom corner (1-0 to 0-2).
Rathgormack wrestled back control with the Powers prominent at midfield. Conor Murray, Jason Curry (free) and Peter Walsh all raised white flags. Seven wides and one ball short halted their gallop.
Sean Walsh got a grip around a fiercely contested middle third and four Nire points followed. Aaron Ryan got two, Dermot Ryan rifled one over off his left from 40 metres and Walsh fisted another (1-4 to 0-5). A minute before the interval, Stephen Ryan punched away a Francis Roche point attempt and the ball broke to Jason Curry who side footed it into the corner of the cobwebs.
Aaron Ryan levelled on the restart with a trademark solo run and score as the Rathgormack wide count entered double figures. Conor Murray had four misses but kept probing. Stephen Ryan also saved one-on-one from Willie Hahessy. Lord of the skies Sean Walsh assisted a Dylan Guiry point as The Nire looked more composed in front of goal. A Dermot Ryan turnover on Murray saw Sean Boyce edge the challengers ahead (1-7 to 1-6).
Up stepped Rathgormack number five Glen Power with an outrageous two pointer off the outside of his right boot from the stand side. He won the next kickout and Michael Curry split the posts. Marquee Nire subs Conor Gleeson and Thomas O'Gorman made a difference as Aaron Ryan and Ciaran Walsh left it 1-9 apiece. Gleeson got in behind the Rathgormack cover, but the Nire couldn’t work a goal as Paudie Hunt saved Tom Barron’s fisted attempt. Stephen Ryan stopped a certain green flag from Stephen Curry in a mad goalmouth scramble. The Ballymacarbry side then got penalised for only having three back, and Jason Curry tapped over the close-range free. Dermot Ryan cancelled it out as three added minutes went up on the board.
Billy Power made the long journey home worthwhile, landing the lead point. Conor Gleeson had a strong claim for a free ignored when he jinked inside. Rathgormack went down to the road goal, and Conor Murray set up Willie Hahessy for the clincher. A classic Thomas O’Gorman tackle gave The Nire one last chance to mount an attack. Rathgormack sub Reece O’Mahony put a stop to that, however, and the green and red flares could be lit.
Jason Curry 1-2 (2fs), Glen Power 0-3 (1 2p), James Power 0-2, Willie Hahessy, Billy Power, Michael Curry, Peter Walsh, Conor Murray 0-1 each.
Dylan Guiry 1-1, Aaron Ryan 0-4, Dermot Ryan 0-2 (1f), Ciaran Walsh, Sean Boyce, Sean Walsh 0-1 each.
Paudie Hunt; Willie Hahessy, Liam Mulligan, Mairtín Power; Glen Power, Tom Walsh, Sean Hahessy; James Power, Michael Curry; Billy Power, Peter Walsh, Jason Curry; Francis Roche, Stephen Curry, Conor Murray.
Ger Hahessy for Sean Hahessy (23), Reece O'Mahony for Roche (58).
Stephen Ryan; Tadhg Walsh, James McGrath, Micheal McMaugh; Jake Mulcahy, Tholom Guiry, Evan Spelman; Sean Walsh, Ciaran Walsh; Michael Morrissey, Aaron Ryan, Sean Boyce; Dermot Ryan, Dylan Guiry, Pat Walsh.
Conor Gleeson for Boyce (46), Thomas O'Gorman for Tholom Guiry (49), Tom Barron for Pat Walsh (52), Fionn Hallinan for Mulcahy (54).
Eoin Morrissey (Erins Own).
Glen Power delivered game-changing moments in the second half.
The refurbished Conway Cup was up for grabs until Billy Power struck in injury time.
No parade for a county final.
Rathgormack travel to Clare champions Éire Óg in the Munster quarter final on Sunday.
