Gaelic Games

Ballinacourty end Stradbally’s reign in Waterford football final

Gary Hurney stars as challengers record a deserved victory

Mon Oct 21 2013 - 01:01

Ballinacourty 0-12 Stradbally 0-5

Ballinacourty pulled off a somewhat unexpected victory over holders Stradbally in yesterday's Waterford football final on a heavy Fraher Field sod.

The champions, who’d rampaged their way through the group and knock-out stages, were physically overpowered by a Ballinacourty side inspired by interprovincial regular Gary Hurney.

The challengers, who led for 54 minutes over the course of the hour, remarkably kept Stradbally scoreless for 34 minutes, to record their sixth Conway Cup success.

At the break, despite being down to 14 men following John Hurney’s sending off, Ballinacourty led by 0-6 to 0-3 and were good value for it.

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Points from Hurney and Michael O’Halloran put them two points up by the fourth minute.

David Grey got Stradbally off the mark a minute later, with Shane Aherne’s free drawing the sides level by the sixth minute. But Ballinacourty struck 10 points in the remainder of the fixture, with Stradbally recording only three further points through Grey, Aherne and Paddy Kiely – who was sent off in the 51st minute.

But thanks to Hurney, Richie Foley and captain Mark Fives, along with further points from Michael O'Halloran, Mark Ferncombe, James O'Mahoney and substitute John Power, Ballinacourty pushed on to victory.
BALLINA COURTY: Stephen Enright; Brian Looby, Shane Briggs, David Collins; Richie Foley (0-2), Sean O'Hare, Conor Moloney; John Hurney, Gary Hurney (0-3, 0-2 frees); James O'Mahoney, Mark Fives (0-2), Mark Ferncombe (0-1); Michael O'Halloran (0-2, 0-1 free), Jason O'Brien, Patrick Hurney (0-1). Subs: Shane Donovan for Jason O'Brien (44 mins), John Power (0-1) for James O'Mahoney (52 ), Gavin Breen for David Collins (60), Mark Gorman for Michael O'Halloran (60 mins), Patrick Lynch for Conor Moloney (60 ).
STRADBALLY: Oliver Costelloe; Paddy Doyle, Shane Lannon, Andy Doyle; Kevin Lawlor, Eddie Rockett, Tony Grey; Michael Walsh, Paddy Kiely (0-1); John Coffey, Shane Aherne (0-2, frees), Tommy Connors; David Grey (0-2), Robert Aherne, Ger Power. Subs: Kevin Coffey for Andy Doyle (half-time), Andy Doyle for Paddy Doyle (38 mins), Jack Mullaney for Ger Power (42 mins).
Referee: John Condon.