Jamie helps Fourmile to last 4 spot.

Fourmilewater will contest the semi finals of this years County Senior Hurling Championship for the first time in a number of years after they beat Abbeyside at the quarter finals stages of the championship in Fraher Field.

Fourmilewater went into the game as favourites and did not disappoint those that had parted with their few euro on them, but they had to do it the hard way and it was only in the final quarter that the Ballymacarbry based outfit were able to tag on the scores that secured their place in the last eight of the championship.

The first half proved to be an even enough encounter with both sides retiring at the interval at six points a piece.

First blood in this game went to Abbeyside who hit early scores from Mark Fives and Gary Hurney. Fourmilewater hit back with scores from Jamie Barron and Liam Lawlor who hit the score of the game from just inside his own sixty-five metre line and from out near the side line to level matters.

Mark Gorman and Jamie Barron swapped scores which left the sides at three points a piece with seventeen minutes played.

Patrick Hurney and Mark Gorman hit points for Abbeyside to give them a two point lead and it was looking like an unexpected victory for the blue and gold shirts could be on the cards. 

However points from Brian Wall and Craig Guiry soon followed which levelled affairs once again at five points a piece.

Time still remained and both sides were able to a further score a piece. Mark Gorman sent Abbeyside back in front with a minute of the opening half to play but a converted Jamie Barron free meant that the two sides retired to the dressing rooms all square.

The scoring pattern in the second half was at a slow pace, but both sides began as they had left off at the end of the first. Jamie Barron and Gary Hurney traded scores to keep the sides all square and when Maurice O’Gorman followed up  with a point, it gave Fourmilewater the lead heading into the final quarter, one that they never lost.

The introduction of Richie Fenton had a positive effect on the Fourmilewater team. Points from Jamie Barron and Shane Walsh in quick succession extended their lead to three before Richie Fenton found the range with three minutes to go.

Mark Ferncombe converted a free on the hour mark and with three minutes to be added, there was still time left for Abbeyside to get something from this game if they showed the required hunger.

It was Fourmilewater however that showed the most hunger in added time and they hit a point through Jamie Barron which extended their lead to four and also securing their place in the last eight.

Fourmilewater: Conor Ryan; Justin Walsh, Rory Rice, Maurice O’Gorman; Shane Lawlor, Liam Lawlor, Thomas O’Gorman; Seamus Lawlor, Brian Wall; Michael O’Gorman, Diarmuid Wall, Craig Guiry; Shane Ryan, Shane Walsh, Jamie Barron. Subs:  Richie Fenton for Craig Guiry, JP Fitzgerald for Shane Ryan, Alan Lawlor for Diarmuid Wall.

Scorers: Jamie Barron 0-6 (0-4 frees, 0-1 ’65), Liam Lawlor, Brian Wall, Craig Guiry, Maurice O’Gorman, Shane Walsh, Richie Fenton 0-1 each.

Abbeyside: Stephen Enright; Maurice Power, Shane Briggs, Gavin Breen; Evan Collins, John Hurney, Patrick Lynch; Richie Foley, Mark Gorman; James O’Mahony, Gary Hurney, Mark Fives; Mark Ferncombe, Patrick Hurney, Shane O’Donovan. Subs: Shane Crotty for James O’Mahony, John Phelan for John Hurney, John Power for Mark Fives.

Scorers: Mark Gorman 0-3 (0-3 frees), Gary Hurney 0-2, Mark Fives, Patrick Hurney, Mark Ferncombe (free) 0-1 each.

Referee: Maurice Condon (Clashmore).