Hutchinson and Fitzgerald fire Gunners past Roanmore and into another Waterford SHC final

Ballygunner's Dessie Hutchinson is challenged by Cian Wadding of Roanmore. ©INPHO/Tom Maher.

Dessie Hutchinson and Patrick Fitzgerald scored 1-2 each as reigning All-Ireland champions Ballygunner saw off Roanmore by 2-17 to 0-12 to book their place in a tenth successive Waterford SHC final.

In a repeat of last year's county decider, Darragh O'Sullivan's side had been out of sorts in the first-half and were just one point ahead at the break (1-5 to 0-7) after Hutchinson's levelling goal, but upped the ante in the second to run out easy 11-point winners and move within 60 minutes of a record-equalling nine-in-a-row of Waterford senior hurling championship titles.

The Gunners' will face Mount Sion who defeated city rivals De La Salle 1-19 to 2-12 in the second of today's semi-finals at Walsh Park. Martin O'Neill's scoring contribution of 1-3 was vital for Sion.

Meanwhile, Tallow secured their senior status yesterday when ousting Dunhill 1-19 to 0-18 in the relegation play-off final.