Carrick Swan glides past St. Pats into South U21A decider

South U21A Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Carrick Swan 1-26

St. Patrick's 2-11

A powerful second-half performance against the wind saw Carrick Swan claim a comfortable win over St Patrick’s in the South Tipperary Under 21 A Hurling Championship semi-final, though the opening 30 minutes were anything but easy for the Carrick side.

Carrick Swan, playing with the wind, raced into a three-point lead in the first four minutes through two frees from Callum Lanigan and a point from play by Callum Walsh.

St Patrick’s struck back in the seventh minute with a converted free from Cathal Foley, followed just 30 seconds later by a superb goal from Daithi Hogan.

A long ball from midfield reached Hogan in the left-hand corner where he controlled, turned and burnt his marker before burying the ball past Adam Kerwick in the Swan goal, putting St Patrick’s a point ahead.

Stefan Tobin quickly levelled the score with a point from play, only for Foley to restore the St Patrick’s lead a minute later. Swan seemed to regain composure with four more points from Lanigan, including three from frees, taking them to an 0-8 to 1-3 lead midway through the first half.

However, the remainder of the half belonged to St Patrick’s. Foley struck twice from frees, and in the 21st minute Hogan raised his second green flag, a mirror image of his first.

As half-time approached, Foley and Lanigan exchanged frees, while Callum Walsh for Swan and Conor Brett for St Patrick’s added two fine points from play.

The half-time score read St Patrick’s 2-8, Carrick Swan 0-11. St. Patrick’s were deservedly ahead by three points.
Carrick Swan took control in the second half. Within the first four minutes, Callum Walsh added two points on either side of a crucial goal from Darragh Dunne, who slipped past three defenders to bat the ball past a stranded Danny Broderick, putting Swan back in front.

Foley managed a point from play in the 37th minute, but Swan’s momentum was unstoppable as they added 11 unanswered points. The highlight came from Lanigan in the 40th minute: from 80 metres out on the sideline, he delivered a spectacular shot which sailed straight over the black spot.

A 57th-minute free from Charlie Noonan, 30 metres out, in front of the goal, was the only other score for St Patrick’s in the second half.

Of Swan’s impressive 1-26 tally, 1-16 came from play—an impressive stat for this time of year. However, they’ll need to improve on their first half performance if they are to challenge St Mary’s and reclaim the South Under 21 Championship they won last November.

For Carrick Swan, Sean Power and Owen Harrigan excelled in defence, while Darragh Dunne, Callum Lanigan, Callum Walsh and Stefan Tobin shone up front, particularly in the second half. For St Patrick’s, Aidan Fitzgerald held strong in defence, with Foley and Hogan leading the way up front.

Hogan was very unlucky not to add a third goal midway through the second half of the contest.

Carrick Swan: Adam Kerwick; Nigel O’Keeffe (0-1), Sean Power, Harry Still; Dylan Barry, Aaron O’Halloran, Owen Harrigan; Fionn Barry (0-1), Sean Foley; Taylor Fleming (0-1), Callum Lanigan (0-12, 0-10f), Callum Walsh (0-5); Darragh Dunne (1-1), Kieran O’Donnell, Stefan Tobin (0-5).

Subs used: Jack Raymond Walsh for Dylan Barry (HT); Calum Smith for Kieran O’Donnell (48); Rían Power for Fionn Barry (52).

St Patrick’s: Danny Broderick; Robbie Noonan, Evan Holohan, Jack Cleere; Sean Nash, Aidan Fitzgerald, Oran Gahan; Ryan Cranitch, Cian Cranitch; Cathal Foley (0-7, 0-5f), James Ryan, Finn Madigan; Daithi Hogan (2-0), Charlie Noonan (0-1), Conor Brett (0-2).

No subs used.

Referee: Brian Tyrell (Clonmel Commercials)