Timely goals either side of half-time send the Swan back into Premier Intermediate final

FBD Insurance Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-final

Carrick Swans 2-18

Boherlahan Dualla 0-21

By Michael Dundon

Goals immediately before and after the break steered Carrick Swans, last year’s beaten finalists, through to the FBD Insurance Premier Intermediate Hurling county final, edging out Boherlahan Dualla in a fine contest at Semple Stadium on Saturday.

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Unlucky to lose last year, Swans are many people’s fancy to lift the O Riain Cup this time, but they were pushed to the limit by a developing Boherlahan Dualla side who never gave up and with a storming last quarter came close to upsetting the Carrick boys who looked to be going safely through when leading by eight points at the three quarter stage.

Those minutes before and after the break were decisive. A lively first half with each side having its moments was finely balance at 0-8 to 0-7 in Boherlahan’s favour after 27 minutes.

Brian Óg O’Dwyer for Boherlahan and Calum Lanigan for Swans were key figures but in the 27th minute Stefan Tobin set up Aaron Dunne for a Carrick goal, to which Lanigan and Tobin added points to send Swans in at the break with a 1-9 to 0-8 lead.

A physically stronger side, Swans were worth their lead but Boherlahan were by no means out of the picture as they emerged for the second half. Then they were dealt another body blow, Aaron Dunne again benefitting from Stefan Tobin’s good work to register their second goal just two minutes after resuming.

Swans  quickly built on that lead, extending it to 9 points after six minutes, their 2-12 to 0-9 advantage looking unbridgeable for the mid boys. Boherlahan showed great character in their response to their precarious situation. 

Tomas Ryan and Brian Og O Dwyer pointed – Calum Lanigan responded for Swans but Tomas Ryan (3), Eoin Moloughney and Brian Óg O’Dwyer were again on target for Boherlahan who now had the deficit down to four points with seven minutes to play and momentum behind them.

Now it was Swans turn to show what they are made of and in three minutes they had 3 points from Calum Lanigan (2) and Aaron Dunne to go seven clear once more with 57 minutes gone. 

They again looked safe but there was yet another kick in Boherlahan. In a hectic finish Tomas Ryan pointed three frees and James Kirby was also on target leaving just a goal between them well into added time.

Swans fans were demanding the final whistle as Boherlahan kept up the charge but time ran out on the Mid lads and Swans were back into the final with hopes high to go one better than last year.

There was a collective sigh of relief in the Swans camp at the final whistle. Overall they were the better team but a vulnerability was exposed when Boherlahan went at them strongly and this will be a concern as they face into the decider on October 26th. 

There is a lot of quality in this Swans team with Gavin O’Halloran, and Stefan Tobin the main driving forces but Scott Hogan, Aaron O’Halloran, Aaron Dunne, Dean Waters and free-taker Calum Lanigan also had big games for them.

Boherlahan-Dualla were understandably disappointed at the outcome but cannot complain about the result. They have a young side, finding their feet at this level, and reaching the last four in the grade is most definitely a step in the right direction for them. 

The challenge for them is to build on this year’s campaign. The talent is there. Brian Óg O’Dwyer was the big threat in attack early on but less so later. Tomas Ryan’s free-taking was the major contributor to their score tally. Charlie Ryan, Patrick Gahan, Martin Paul Dwyer and Seamus Leahy were others to put in a strong shift

Scorers: Carrick Swans: Calum Lanigan (0-9, 0-5f), Aaron Dunne 2-2, Stefan Tobin 0-3, Taylor Flemming 0-2, Aaron O’Halloran, Callum Walsh 0-1 each.

Boherlahan Dualla: Tomas Ryan (0-11, 0-8f),Brian Óg O’Dwyer 0-3, Charlie Ryan, Gerard O’Dwyer, J Kirby 0-2 each, Eoin Moloughney 0-1.

Carrick Swans: Kieran Lonergan; Jack Murphy, Scott Hogan, Dean Kely; Ben Mulcaire, Gavin O’Halloran, Luke O’Dwyer; Aaron O’Halloran, Dean Waters; Shane Torpey, Stefan Tobin, Taylor Fleming; Calum Walsh, Aaron Dunne, Calum Lanigan.

Subs used: Colin Loughman for O’Dwyer (45); Aidan Waters for Torpey (52); Darragh Dunne for Walsh (56); Ryan Waters for Fleming (57); Eoin Hogan for D Waters (61).

Boherlahan Dualla: Darragh Lacey; Tomas Bourke, Gerard O’Dwyer, John Ryan; Dylan Fogarty, Martin Paul O’Dwyer, Cathal Darcy; Charlie Ryan, Euan Ryan; Patrick Gahan, Brian Óg O’Dwyer, James Kirby; Tomas Ryan, Seamus Leahy, Mark Downey.

Subs used: Eoin Moloughney for E Ryan (HT); Brian Carrig for Bourke (40); David Clarke for Leahy (44); Ryne Bargary for Downey (51); Niall O’Dwyer for Darcy (61).

Referee: Ciaran O’Donovan (Burgess)

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