The Nire edge out Rathgormack to retain Waterford title

The Nire 0-10 Rathgormack 0-08

Inter-county stars Conor Gleeson and Jamie Barron inspired The Nire to their first back-to-back Conway Cup success since 1994 with a 0-10 to 0-08 victory, condemning Rathgormack to a third successive senior Waterford SFC final reversal at Walsh Park.

"We just dug the heels in, put the shoulder to the wheel and we're delighted with the win," said Barron, one of several outstanding performers for Michael Ryan’s charges this afternoon.

At the break, the sides were tied on five points apiece with The Nire surely the happier given the strength of the wind they faced.

Rathgormack made the better start and opened the scoring through a Jason Curry free in the second minute following a foul on Mairtín Power.

Three minutes later, they doubled their lead through Conor Murray who struck cleanly from the right flank following James Power’s pass.

By the seventh minute, the challengers were three clear thanks to Stephen Curry, who bisected the uprights from a tight angle right of Stephen Ryan’s crossbar. But The Nire replied immediately through Conor Gleeson, who was sent goalward by Kyle Cuddy’s assist.

Dominating the high ball and commanding their own high and hanging kick-outs, The Nire began to settle into the contest.

Dermot Ryan’s 15th minute free left just a point between the sides before the defending champions drew level seven minutes later as Ryan’s second converted successfully navigated the wind. But parity was retained for barely a minute thanks to a finely struck point by Billy Power.

Congratulations to @NireFourmile