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Ballygunner's Brian O'Sullivan was on target today. Ken Sutton/INPHO
Wrap

Ballygunner and Fourmilewater progress to Waterford hurling semis

The champions led by 1-8 to 0-7 at the halfway stage of a tepid encounter.

GOALS IN EITHER half from Billy O’Keeffe and Stephen Power allowed Ballygunner beat a wasteful Mount Sion in tonight’s Waterford SHC quarter final at Walsh Park (2-12 to 0-12). Sion accumulated 18 wides in total, including 14 over the second period.

The champions led by 1-8 to 0-7 at the halfway stage of a tepid encounter. Denis Walsh’s men exploded out of the blocks with the first four points courtesy of Shane O’Sullivan, Stephen O’Keeffe (free), David O’Sullivan and Peter Hogan.

Philip Mahony and Austin Gleeson both sat back to give extra protection to their respective full back lines.

Mount Sion retaliated and managed to level matters at five points apiece on 20 minutes. A stunning strike from Billy O’Keeffe lit up a dull opening period. The midfielder cut through the Sion defence after 23 minutes and let rip to the top corner.

The Monastery side resumed with seven wides on the trot. The leaders stretched seven points away with three Brian O’Sullivan frees and a Billy O’Keeffe single from play.

Sion bombarded the Gunners goal over the final quarter. A brace by Austin Gleeson and three Martin F O’Neill frees narrowed to three (1-12 to 0-12).

Their high wides tally proved costly, however. In the second minute of injury time, a lengthy clearance released substitute Stephen Power to slip the ball past Ian O’Regan from close range.

Elsewhere, Fourmilewater reached their first semi-final since 2012 after a 1-12 to 1-7 win against Roanmore at Fraher Field.

The Ballymacarbry outfit enjoyed a six-point half-time lead (1-7 to 0-4). On the quarter hour, Maurice O’Gorman’s precise crossfield ball left Craig Guiry with the simplest of finishes.

Guiry and Conor Gleeson combined for 1-6 over the first 30. Roanmore goalkeeper David Barrett sent a second-half penalty right and wide with six minutes remaining.

Gavin O’Brien dispatched a consolation goal after the Sky Blues were awarded a second penalty in injury time.

Craig Guiry ended as top scorer with 1-4.

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