WATERFORD GAA WESTERN NOTES Dated 24th of August
A Feast of Western Finals!
What a weekend of hurling within the west of the county! On Friday evening saw the clash between Fourmilewater and Ballyduff Upper in a wet and windy Fraher Field in this year's Junior B Western Final sponsored by The Local Bar Dungarvan. Ballyduff put in a very dominant display in the first half going in with a 9 point lead at half time. Although Fourmilewater came into it in the second half, Ballyduff held their composure to run out 2.11 to 0.10 winners to secure the Michael Danaher Memorial Cup.On Saturday saw Kilgobnet play Melleray in this year's Junior C final. Kilgobinet started brightly and really controlled the majority of this entertaining encounter with the final score in Cappoquin being Kilgobinet 2.19 to Melleray 1.16. Sunday saw two western finals up for grabs with the first being the clash between Colligan and Tourin in the Fraher Field at 2pm. A close and exciting game here with both sides evenly matched. Two points separated the sides at half with Colligan holding the lead. Tourin came storming back into it in the second half going ahead in the 53rd minute, but the Colligan men regained composure, with Colin Dunfort controlling the spread of the ball from midfield and then moving into the forward line where his influence continued to be a thorn in the Tourin backline. Final score in the Fraher Field was Colligan 0.18 to Tourin 0.16 with the Colligan men crowned this year's Junior A Western Hurling Champions. The last final of the weekend saw Clashmore Kinsalebeg take on Ballyduff Upper in this year's Comeragh Oil Intermediate Hurling decider and it turned out to be an epic encounter which saw wonderful passages of hurling by both teams. Clashmore Kinsalebeg led at half time by 0.09 to 0.08 and the second half saw the lead change hands on more than one occasion. Level at full time, extra time took place and with Clashmore seconds away from victory a late goal by Ballyduff saw them level matters and ensure a penalty shootout would decide this year's western champions. After 5 penalties each it and level once again. It then took a sudden death shootout with Ballyduff coming out on top in a game many will remember for its entertainment value.

Fourmilewater 0.10 Ballyduff 2.11 (Ballyduff Junior B Hurling Western Champions)

Kilgobinet 2.19 Melleray 1.16 ( Kilgobinet Junior C Hurling Western Champions)

Colligan 0.18 Tourin 0.16 ( Colligan Junior A Hurling Western Champions)

Clashmore/Kinsalebeg 2.25 Ballyduff Upper 2.25 after extra time. Ballyduff won on penalties to become Western Intermediate Hurling Champions.

Next Weekend Fixtures

Intermediate Hurling
Ballyduff Upper v Ballyduff Lowers on Sunday 30th at 5pm in Fraher Field
Junior A Hurling
Colligan v Tramore on Saturday 29th at 6pm in Fraher Field
Junior B Hurling
Ballyduff upper v Clonea on Friday 28th at 7pm in Fraher Field
Junior C Hurling
Kilgobinet v Tramore on Friday 28th at 2pm in Fraher Field

Senior Hurling Final
Ballygunner v Passage on Sunday 30th at 2pm in Walsh Park