Rathgormack 1-07 Castlehaven 1-16
Brian and Michael Hurley starred for Castlehaven as James McCarthy's side kept their bid for a first Munster crown in 26 years alive with a deserved win against Waterford champions Rathgormack.
Castlehaven struck seven points without response before the half-time break, which proved crucial as the Waterford side never regained their early momentum and the Cork men advance to a provincial decider against An Daingean in a fortnight's time.
A huge travelling contingent made the long trip from West Cork to West Waterford, as Castlehaven looked to build on their extra-time victory over Cratloe, while the Waterford champions were seeking to become the first Déise side to reach the provincial decider since 2016.
In the absence of the suspended Michael Curry, injured Cathal Crowch and travelling talisman Conor Murray, Rathgormack faced an uphill task before the whistle had blown.
Jason Curry had an early free drop into the hands of Darragh Cahalane as both sides got to grips with conditions and it was Rathgormack who struck first, youngster Adam Murray’s sweet strike creeping over the crossbar on five minutes.
The three-time Munster champions soon responded with a fine score of their own, Michael Hurley swivelling and firing between the posts to bring proceedings level.
The game’s opening goal arrived on eight minutes. Stephen Curry and Billy Power combined, the latter firing low and hard into the far-left corner to boost momentum for the underdog cause.
Kenny Hassett’s men were determined in defence, winning a multitude of turnovers, and tensions were high in the opening exchanges. A number of wides followed for Castlehaven, all of which were well received by the home crowd.
A Jason Gleeson free moved Rathgormack four points to the good midway through the first period, but another fine score by Michael Hurley from a tight angle served as a warning.
Brian Hurley then opened his account from close range and Castlehaven were back within two points, before Cathal Maguire drove at the defence to reduce arrears to the minimum.
The Cork men began to come out on top in the individual battles, and they could well have had a goal of their own on 23 minutes were it not for an excellent block by Tom Walsh to deny Brian Hurley. He slotted over the requisite '45 though and the sides were level for the second time.
Michael Hurley was really beginning to exert his influence at this point, and his third point from play put Castlehaven in the lead for the first time on 27 minutes. Rathgormack, without a score in 11 minutes, looked in need of the interval. Jason Curry struck wide from a ‘45, and it was the Hurley show once again as he was picked out by Andrew Whelton to slot over his fourth score.
Brian Hurley added his third point from a free and Castlehaven led by three at the break, having hit seven in succession - 0-08 to 1-02, with work to do for Rathgormack.
Glen Power fired wide with the first opportunity upon resumption, the first of three in a row for Rathgormack who were in desperate need of some inspiration.
Conor O’Driscoll and Conor Cahalane then combined for the latter to strike the crossbar, but play was brought back for a free which Brian Hurley duly dispatched on 36 minutes.
For all their possession, Rathgormack couldn’t convert that into anything of scoring value. They did get their first score in 23 minutes, via a Jason Curry free, and approaching the final quarter, just three points separated the sides.
Sean Browne added his name to the scoresheet as The Haven seemingly edged closer to victory, but a well-taken free from Gleeson kept the Déise men ticking over.
Jason Curry then weaved his way through the Cork side’s defence and slotted over, and with ten minutes remaining, it was a two-point affair.
Once again, the boot of Brian Hurley proved to their detriment as his fifth point soon landed, and when captain Mark Collins was on target, the Cork side looked certain of their passage to the provincial decider.
Michael Hurley was then found in acres of space on 53 minutes, and he knocked over his fifth point to stretch the lead out to five.
A ‘45 from Curry gave some small semblance of hope to the Rathgormack faithful, but time was fast running out. That hope was diminished entirely on 57 minutes, as the onrushing Brian Hurley was found in space and he finished calmly to the near corner to book Castlehaven’s ticket to the Munster final.
There was still time for Hurley to push his personal tally out to 1-06, before coming off to rapturous applause. Jason Curry added his fourth point in consolation, before Conor O’Driscoll and Jack Cahalane got in on the act.
The Cork champions were value for their victory, a nine-point margin in the end, with the Hurley brothers proving too hot to handle for Rathgormack.
Rathgormack: Padraig Hunt; Conor Walsh, Máirtín Power, Willie Hahessy; Sean Hahessy, Tom Walsh, Liam Connolly; Billy Power (1-00), Glen Power; James Power, Jason Curry (0-04; 2f; 1 '45'), Donnacha Hassett; Jason Gleeson (0-02f), Stephen Curry, Adam Murray (0-01).
Subs: Stephen Kirwan for Donnacha Hassett (51); Peter Walsh for Adam Murray (53).
Castlehaven: Darragh Cahalane; Johnny O’Regan, Rory Maguire, Ronan Walsh; Thomas O’Mahony, Damien Cahalane, Mark Collins (0-01); Conor Cahalane, Andrew Whelton; Jack O’Neill, Brian Hurley (1-06; 3f; 1 '45'), Sean Browne (0-01); Cathal Maguire (0-01), Jack Cahalane (0-01), Michael Hurley (0-05).
Subs: Conor O’Driscoll (0-01) for Andrew Whelton (HT); Jamie O’Driscill for Sean Browne (53); Ciaran O’Sullivan for Cathal Maguire (58); Robbie Minihane for Conor Cahalane (58); Michael Maguire for Brian Hurley (60).
Referee: Sean Lonergan (Tipperary)
