Rathgormack can create the right kind of history
Rathgormack's Willie Hahessy, Glen Power, James Power, Conor Walsh, Stephen Curry and Michael Curry celebrating after county final success in 2024. Will it be more of the same on Sunday? Photo: Sean Byrne
The Rathgormack team that lost three in a row can win three in a row on Sunday afternoon!
In the space of fourteen months, between August 2021 and October 2022, the green and red went down twice to The Nire and once to Abbeyside/Ballinacourty in county finals. Fast forward to November 2025 and they can flip that record on its head. The Stradbally team of the noughties were the last to achieve such a feat in Waterford.
Hopefully, both sides will get to march behind a band in Fraher Field on Sunday. An element that has been sadly lacking in recent football and hurling deciders. After all, this is no ordinary club game. This is the showpiece day in the Déise football calendar.
Like Ballygunner in the hurling, Rathgormack got a semi final wake-up call last weekend. Their grip on the Conway Cup was slipping when Michael O’Halloran made it 1-14 to 0-14 in favour of Abbeyside/Ballinacourty with four minutes left. That late Stephen Curry goal and that late Jason Curry free saw them squeak a one point win. Their closest shave in this three in a row quest.
The 27 minute lull period either side of half time is a concern. Rathgormack took their foot off the pedal and invited Courty onto them. Five two pointers resulted.
The sight of top scorer Stephen Curry limping off the field in injury time with a hamstring issue will also worry manager Kenny Hassett. He has delivered 1-15 from play in four championship outings. Replacement Adam Murray also pulled up within minutes of his introduction.
Conor Murray (1-10) and Jason Curry (0-11) are just behind Stephen Curry in the scoring charts. Two leaders and two conductors in that Rathgormack attack. Their two point shooting in the first half last Sunday was sensational. Francis Roche, Billy Power and James Power can also beat players and chip in with vital scores. It will be hard for The Nire to keep them all quiet. Hassett's men are averaging 20 points per game.
Brothers Jamie and Tom Barron haven’t played a minute of this year’s championship for the Ballymacarbry outfit. Jamie is out with a knee injury while Tom is sidelined with a broken wrist. Conor Gleeson is more likely to see gametime. He missed the wins over Roanmore and Gaultier but did tog out two weeks ago. He warmed up along the sideline but wasn’t called down from the stand. Thomas O’Gorman did enter the fray for the last five minutes. One of Waterford’s greatest defenders has come out of retirement this season.
Aaron Ryan has been The Nire’s top performer with 1-19 in four games. His score taking and ability to slice through defences has compensated for the absence of Jamie Barron and Gleeson. Dermot Ryan has been dogged by injury throughout the inter county season and the start of the club campaign but has returned nine points in two outings since returning to the Nire line-up. His ability to shoot two pointers off that lethal left boot could prove so valuable.
Sean and Ciaran Walsh won the midfield battle against Gaultier with Tholom Guiry backing them up at number six. Sean Walsh’s left leg was heavily strapped but he lasted the whole game. The hard working Michael Curry and the towering Walsh brothers (Tom and Peter) are the main ball winners for Rathgormack. This will be one hell of a contest. James McGrath versus Stephen Curry and Willie Hahessy versus Conor Gleeson are two other match-ups worth watching.
This is their fourth county final meeting in five years but last year's semi final will surely be mentioned in the Nire camp this week. They were lucky to escape with an eleven point defeat that afternoon. A result and a performance that will stick in their craw.
There will be a winner on the day so extra time and penalties are a possibility. It is such a pity that the Rathgormack support will be split in two on Sunday. The Munster ladies football final between Comeragh Rangers and Southern Gaels has a 3.30 start in Mallow. Integration can't come quick enough.
The big name Nire absentees are hard to ignore. Even at full strength, they would have their hands full. The defending champions will be upset by their semi final showing. No easing up on this occasion as no lead is too big in the new world of Gaelic Football. Rathgormack to turn three in a row pain into three in a row gain.
While Rathgormack and The Nire dream of Conway Cup glory, An Rinn and Clashmore/Kinsalebeg slug it out for senior survival on Saturday. Donie Breathnach was in America for the original fixture so what a boost for An Rinn to have him available here. The Gaeltacht side may struggle at midfield however as Brian Lynch has been a powerhouse figure for Clashmore. This game will go to a replay if it finishes level at the end of the sixty minutes. An Rinn, up senior since 2006, to retain their top flight status.
