TWO-TIME All Star Eoin Kelly buried an injury-time goal as Passage eked out a 1-14 to 0-15 win over Dungarvan at Fraher Field this afternoon and set up an-all eastern semi-final with De La Salle next weekend.
Kelly shrugged off a recent hand injury to come off the bench early in the second half and blast last year’s runners-up into the last four.
The winners were guilty of 17 wides and relinquished the lead with seven minutes remaining.
After a sluggish start, Dungarvan rearranged their team and Kieran Power sent them ahead for the very first time. Substitute Michael Kiely left it 0-14 to 0-12 on 55 minutes. A pair of frees by Owen Connors levelled matters.
With extra time on the cards, super sub Kelly fetched a high ball from Liam Flynn and thumped it past Darren Duggan. Dungarvan had one last chance but Gavin Crotty’s 65 sailed between the uprights.
De La Salle are back in the last four after a three-year absence. They comfortably dealt with Fourmilewater in the curtain raiser (1-19 to 0-15).
Main marksman Shane Ryan helped himself to 1-8 while Kevin Moran featured prominently in a dominant first half performance.
Ryan put in a big shift at centre forward and his fifteenth minute strike gave Salle the initiative. Moran drove over two points from centre back as they reached the changing rooms eight in front (1-13 to 0-8). John Mullane also contributed a brace before he was substituted on 49 minutes.
Salle cruised through the second period as they contained Fourmile midfield pair Conor Gleeson and Jamie Barron. Dylan Guiry finished with eight points for the Ballymacarbry side.
Champions Ballygunner, who are chasing four in a row, will meet familiar foes Lismore in the other semi.
Waterford SHC Semi Finals
Passage v De La Salle
Lismore v Ballygunner