STRADBALLY LEAVE IT LATE AGAINST NIRE

STRADBALLY won the Waterford Senior Football title by the narrowest of margins when seeing off holders The Nire at Fraher Field. They didn’t lead the Conway Cup decider until Jack Mullaney’s effort sailed over in the early stages of extra-time. Stradbally trailed by 1-4 to 0-1 after 14 minutes following Tom Barron’s goal, but Ger Crowley tucked the ball into The Nire net 90 seconds later, and they led by 1-8 to 1-5 at the break. Stradbally roared back to life and drew level with less than 90 seconds left through Daniel Weldon, to send the game to extra-time. They then edged extra-time with points from Mullaney and Robert Aherne. STRADBALLY: E Cunningham; Ciaran Cusack, K Lawlor, J Mullaney (K Coffey 81); T Grey, S Lannon, L Casey (A Doyle BC 47); M Walsh, Shane Aherne; G Crowley (G Power 49), N Connors (T Connors HT), D Weldon (Cathal Cusack 68); M Sweeney (S Keane 56), R Aherne, E O’Brien (G Crowley HT, ET). Scorers: E O’Brien 0-4 (1f); R Aherne 0-3 (2f); G Crowley (1-0); D Weldon, Shane Aherne 0-2; M Sweeney, M Walsh, T Connors, J Mullaney 0-1. THE NIRE: D Murphy; J Walsh, T O’Gorman, M Moore; D Ryan, S Ryan (J McGrath HT, ET), D Guiry; J McGrath (M O’Gorman 55) (S Lawlor 76), T Guiry (S O’Meara 55); S Lawlor (J Mulcahy 44), C Gleeson, D Guiry; T Barron (K Brazil 78), C Guiry (S Ryan 61), S Walsh. Scorers: C Gleeson 0-8 (5f); T Barron 1-1; S Walsh 0-3; D Ryan, D Murphy (1f) 0-1. Referee: A Fitzgerald.