Waterford SHC quarter-finals
BALLYDUFF UPPER AND Tallow blew the Waterford SHC title race wide open with stunning quarter final wins at a miserable Fraher Field tonight.
The Reds sent 2013 champions Passage crashing out in the curtain raiser (1-12 to 1-10). Eoin Hickey’s charges relied on a brave defensive effort to repel the odds on favourites in the second half.
In awful conditions, Ballyduff burst 1-6 to 0-1 away after the opening quarter. On 15 minutes, Mikey Kearney sprinted away from the Passage cover and flicked the ball across for Andrew Casey to touch home. Eoin Kelly posted three frees for Passage to reduce the arrears to four at half time (1-8 to 0-7).
Mikey and Jamie Kearney stretched the lead to six early in the second period. Passage pounded away with points from Eoin Kelly and Owen Connors. Ballyduff restored their six point advantage with Mikey and Jamie Kearney on target once again but they had to endure an avalanche of Passage attacks late on. Thomas Whitty struck to the net on 56 minutes after David Walsh saved from Noel Connors. Peter Queally’s side will rue eleven wides with seven in the second half. Shane Hannon, Shane Kearney and Seamus Hannon all stood out in a courageous backs against the wall display by Ballyduff.
Two Ryan Grey blasts in the space of a minute helped Tallow oust Dungarvan by 3-13 to 0-18. Dungarvan led by 0-18 to 1-11 with three minutes left before the Bridesiders fired 2-2 in the closing stages. Grey scrambled home on 58 minutes and the Tallow minor lashed in a second moments later after Darren Duggan blocked William Henley’s effort.
The Blues, spearheaded by Patrick Curran and Ryan Donnelly, built up a 0-12 to 1-5 advantage by the interval. Evan Sheehan whipped to the net on 13 minutes for Tallow.
The two Western teams will now go head to head in the final four in a fortnight. Holders Ballygunner will meet Fourmilewater in the other semi final.
Waterford SHC semi-finals
- Ballyduff Upper v Tallow
- Fourmilewater v Ballygunner