Rathgormack 1-12 The Nire 1-10
Rathgormack completed the three-in-a-row and racked up their 13th Waterford SFC title overall with a two-point victory over The Nire at Fraher Field.
A pair of injury-time points from Billy Power and corner-back Willie Hahessy saw the champions over the line in the finish, setting up a Munster quarter-final meeting with Éire Óg next weekend.
This was the fourth senior decider between these two sides in the last five years, the pair having largely monopolised the Waterford football championship since 2018, winning every title bar the Covid campaign of 2020, won by Ballinacourty.
Rathgormack were quickly into their groove courtesy of two points from James Power and Glen Power, however they were rocked by the concession of a goal, finished by Dylan Guiry, which put The Nire in front.
The Nire, seeking a first county title since 2022, landed a quartet of unanswered points in the second quarter to nudge two points clear, however Jason Curry's 29th minute goal saw the momentum swing again.
The second half was cagey with never more than two points between the sides in a game where scores came dropping slow.
Aaron Ryan and Ciaran Walsh landed points to level the game at 1-09 apiece. With three minutes remaining, county marksman Curry nailed a free to edge Rathgormack in front again.
Dermot Ryan responded with a free to level it again as the game ticked into injury-time, however it was Billy Power and then Hahessy who had the final say.
Rathgormack: Paudie Hunt; Sean Hahessy, Liam Mulligan, Willie Hahessy (0-01); Glen Power (0-03, 1tp), Tom Walsh, Mairtin Power; James Power (0-02), Michael Curry (0-01); Francis Roche, Peter Walsh (0-01), Jason Curry (1-02, 2f); Billy Power (0-01), Stephen Curry, Conor Murray (0-01).
Subs: Ger Hahessy for Sean Hahessy (22), Reece O'Mahony for Roche (57).
The Nire: Stephen Ryan; Tadhg Walsh, James McGrath, Michael McMaugh; Jake Mulcahy, Tholom Guiry, Evan Spelman; Sean Walsh (0-01), Ciaran Walsh (0-01); Michael Morrissey, Aaron Ryan (0-04), Sean Boyce (0-01); Dermot Ryan (0-02, 1f), Dylan Guiry (1-01), Pat Walsh.
Subs: Conor Gleeson for Boyce (45), Thomas O'Gorman for Tholom Guiry (48), Tom Barron for Pat Walsh (51), Fionn Hallinan for Mulcahy (53).
