Studies in concentration: The Nire's John Moore and Stradbally's Eddie Rockett.
Stradbally 1-12; The Nire 0-11 (After Extra Time)
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Reigning champions Stradbally advanced to the last four of this year’s championship having seen off great rivals after extra time at Fraher Field on Saturday evening last.
While four points separated the sides in the end, in truth (as predicted in last week’s Munster Express) little separated these sides over 80 hard fought minutes.
The game’s vital score proved somewhat fortuitous goal when registered two minutes into the first period of extra time.
Nire goalkeeper Connie Power and corner back Maurice O’Gorman endured a Keystone Cops moment when colliding under a ball delivered from the wing, which Niall Curran profited from. It was to ultimately proved the winning and losing of a fascinating contest.
The champions began the game brightly, racing into a two point lead inside the opening four minutes courtesy of a Niall Curran free and a Shane Ahearne effort from play.
Darren Guiry replied for the challengers midway through the opening half but Niall Curran then hit two rapid points to leave Stradbally four points to the good in the 17th minute.
But back came The Nire, with points from Michael O’Gorman and Shane Walsh sending them in 0-4 to 0-3 down at the break.
Brian Wall levelled matters three minutes after the change of ends only for Niall Curran to subsequently miss a free you’d have re-mortgaged your home on him scoring.
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