Goals win south Tipperary Under 17 football championship title for Cahir

Cahir 4-8 Carrick Swan 1-8

The large attendance that was present at the eagerly-awaited Fethard Electrical South Under 17 B Football Championship final replay on the grass surface at Fethard Town Park last Thursday night wasn’t disappointed.

A very exciting game of football was dominated for the most part by a fast and furious Cahir 15, who demonstrated excellent, speedy breaks out of defence to produce four goals that could easily have been seven, only for saves by Swan goalie and captain Cameron Harrison and overrunning of the ball.

There were outstanding displays for Cahir by Jason McDonagh in defence, assisted by Jessie Kiely and Dylan Butler, with James O’Brien dominating when moved to centre back.

Up front they had standout performances by Adam Hennessy and Patrick McDonagh, who were ably assisted by Dan Delaney.

For a gallant Carrick Swan, Callum Smith, Callum Lanigan and Robin Redmond took the game to Cahir, although the team tried for goals at times when points would have been more practical.

The game opened at pace, with Carrick Swan off the mark with a point from play from Callum Smith in the second minute.
Then Robin Redmond made a great run from midfield and found Keane Hartigan who in turn found Callum Smith, and he kicked a fine goal to make it 1-1 to no score.

On their first attack, Cahir were awarded a free on the 40 metre mark and Dylan Butler stepped up to kick a great point out of his hands.

In the eighth minute two Cahir players collided while going for a ball, with Jesse Kiely coming off second best. After a stoppage of four minutes he had to leave the field and was replaced by Padraig Farrell, who slotted into centrefield, with James O’Brien going centre back.

This was the move of the match for Cahir and they dominated the game from that point, scoring at will.

They had three points from play before the end of the first quarter, two from Dylan Butler, one a free, and the other from Patrick McDonagh.

After Jesse Kiely came back in to replace Liam Cleary, Dylan Butler added a point from a free in the 18th minute.
A throw-in after 20 minutes on the Cahir 30 metre line was won by Swans and the ball was passed to Jack Kinsella, who had a snap shot that went over the bar.

There was more excitement in the 27th minute when a penalty was awarded to Cahir after Patrick McDonagh was taken down and Adam Hennessy made no mistake with the spot-kick, leaving Cahir ahead by 1-5 to 1-2 at half-time.

Swans were first to score in the second half with a free by Callum Lanigan on the 20 metre line.

Cahir, however, continued to dominate, scoring the next three points, one a free by Dylan Butler, followed by scores from play from Thomas McDonagh and Adam Hennessy, when his shot was deflected over the bar by the goalie and the crossbar.

In the 43rd minute Cameron Harrison, the Swan goalkeeper, made a point-blank save from Adam Hennessy after a brilliant run. On the next attack Swan were awarded a free on the 20 metre line, with Callum Lanigan scoring a point, leaving the score Cahir 1-8 Swan 1-4.

In the 47th minute Patrick McDonagh ran onto a great pass in the middle of the field and took on the goalie with a low shot that rattled the net for a Cahir goal.

The Carrick team had two points from play, the first by Callum Lanigan, the second from Darragh Dunne.

However their great effort was undone in two minutes by rampant Cahir counter attacks, with Thomas McDonagh scoring another goal after three great passes and Padraig Farrell scored their fourth goal from a similar move, with the score line Cahir 4-8 Swan 1-6 as we entered the final three minutes.

Callum Walsh and Ronan Redmond had late consolation points for Swan.

Cahir: David Halpin, Liam Kelly, Thomas Hickey, Jason McDonagh, Jake O’Gorman, Jesse Kiely, Euan McGee, Dylan Butler 0-5 (4 frees), Danielz Lakis, Liam Cleary, James O’ Brien, Donagh Keating, Patrick McDonagh 2-2, Dan Delaney, Adam Hennessy 1-1.

Subs: Padraig Farrell 1-0 for Jesse Kiely, Jesse Kiely for Liam Cleary, John O’Regan, Dean Cummins, Conor Cooney.

Carrick Swan: Cameron Harrison (captain), Bobby Coady, Dylan Barry, Evan Hennessy, Luke Power, Aaron O’Halloran, Harry Still, Ronan Redmond 0-1 free, Darragh Dunne 0-1, Sean Foley, Jack Kinsella, Callum Lanigan 0-4 (2 frees), Callum Smith 1-1, Keane Hartigan, Daniel McCarthy.

Subs: Callum Walsh 0-1 for Keane Hartigan, Billy Hanrahan for Jack Kinsella.

Referee: Sean Lonergan (Moyle Rovers).