Eight points victory for St Patrick's in South Tipperary Junior A Football Championship final

St Patrick's 4-6 Carrick Swan 1-7

Their ability to find the net played a key role in St Patrick’s success when they beat Carrick Swan in Sunday’s South Tipperary Junior A Football Championship final in Monroe.

With the wind favouring the Drangan/Cloneen team, the game started slowly, with the first quarter producing only a point from each side. The first came from an overlap finished by Aidan Fitzgerald for St Pat’s, before the Swans replied with a fine point from Jack Murphy.

Swan’s Stephen Hahessy added two points, the first from play and the second from a 20 metre free, before St Patrick’s pounced for their first goal. That came following a great move between Daithi Hogan and man of the match Conor Duggan that found Aidan Buckley in full flight and he gave Swan ‘keeper Sean Boland no chance.

William Cleere stretched the lead with a point from play, although despite their wind advantage St Pat’s were also guilty of five wides.

An exchange of points followed, with Stephen Hahessy scoring from a 20 metres free for Swan while a second point from Aidan Fitzgerald left the score at the short whistle St Patrick’s 1-4 Carrick Swans 0-4.

St Pat’s had a point in the first minute of the second half from play by William Cleere.

Conor Duggan was dominating midfield and every time he found Daithi Hogan, who in the 33rd minute set up Robbie Noonan for a point.

Swans scored the next two points from a free from Stephen Hahessy and from Conor Ryan from play.

In the 45th minute Conor Duggan set up Aidan Buckley for a second goal, leaving the score St Pat’s 2-5 Swan 0-5.

In the 51st minute Daithi Hogan got on the scoreboard with a point, having been the creator of nearly all their scores up to that stage.

Swan got a lifeline in the 52nd minute when Conor Ryan scored a great goal, leaving them behind by just three points (2-6 to 1-6).

In the 55th minute Daithi Hogan, who had come out field, set up Ryan Cranitch, who passed to Aidan Buckley who had the chance to complete his hat trick.

However, he passed to William Cleere, who hand passed the ball to the net.

From the kickout Swan had a goal chance that was blocked by a defender and the ball fell to Kieran O’Donnell, who kicked over the bar.

St Pat’s had a player black-carded in the final minute of normal time, and with Swan doing their best to force another goal the Drangan/Cloneen launched a counter attack, with Daithi Hogan placing William Cleere for his second goal to round off the win.

The standout players for St Patrick’s were Conor Duggan, Daithi Hogan, Aidan Fitzgerald, William Cleere and Aidan Buckley.

Meanwhile, Jack and Bill Murphy, Kieran O’Donnell and Conor Ryan caught the eye for Carrick Swan.

St Patrick’s: Tony O’Brien, Jack Cleere, Bill Cuddihy, Cathal Foley, Aidan Fitzgerald 0-2, Ciaran Mockler, Pauric O’Brien, Eoin Ryan, Conor Duggan (captain), William Cleere 2-2, Robbie Noonan 0-1, Ryan Cranitch, Daithi Hogan 0-1, Aidan Buckley 2-0, Jamie Broderick.

Subs used: James Ryan, Richie Needham.

Carrick Swan: Sean Boland, Dean Kiely, Dean Waters, Sean Power, Jack Murphy 0-1, Ryan Waters, Billy Murphy, Jamie Holloway, Eric O’Halloran, Kieran O’Donnell 0-1, Alan Walsh, Luke O Dwyer, Conor Ryan 1-1, Stephen Hahessy 0-4 (3 frees), Gavin O’Halloran.

Sub used: Shane Torpey.

Referee: Martin Doyle (Ardfinnan).