St Senan’s storm into final with masterful performance

St. Senan's (Clare) 0-14 Cahir (Tipperary) 0-10

The Clare side produced a performance that will give An Ghaeltacht plenty to think about ahead of the November 30 final in Limerick.

While this was essentially a team win, the contributions of the Russell brothers Denis and David at midfield and the Keane brothers Miceál and Ger in attack were hugely significant.

Denis and David Russell lorded at midfield, with Denis, in particular, showing just how valuable a player he could be to his county if he were to commit himself. He roamed the length and breadth of the pitch and was regularly seen helping out his overworked defence.

One of his many superb high catches under his own crossbar in the first half was worth the admission charge alone. He also found time to score, and his contribution of three points was crucial to his side’s convincing victory.

The Keanes showed marvellous pace and vision in attack, where Miceál helped himself to four points, while Ger’s darting runs earned him two points.

One of the principal differences between the sides was the pace at which St. Senan's played the game. They switched the ball from defence to attack at lightening speed and were very seldom caught in possession.

To be fair to the Tipperary champions, they were appearing at this level for the first time and couldn’t be faulted for effort.

The performances of goalkeeper Brian Enright, full-back David O’Gorman, wing-back Paddy O’Flaherty and full-forward Benny Hickey are worthy of special mention.

The visitors started at a blistering pace and led 0-2 to 0-0 after five minutes, but Cahir were level by the 12th minute after Padraig Whelan pointed twice in a row.

The home side had weathered the early Kilkee onslaught and, as play swung from end to end, the huge crowd settled in for a rousing contest as the sides swapped points to be level on two further occasions before Cahir went in front for the one and only time when Benny Hickey pointed a 45 in the 25th minute.

However, Cahir had no answer to the brilliance of Denis Russell at midfield and it was his point two minutes later which helped his side to an interval lead of 0-5 to 0-4.

The ability of Senan’s to step up a couple of gears was seen to great effect in the early minutes of the second-half as they rifled over four points without reply to lead by double scores after 35 minutes.

Cahir continued to press forward and had centre-back Paul Frazer kept his shot just a couple of inches lower, he may well have landed a goal. At the other end, Barry Harte was also only inches away from a goal after he shot wide with only the ‘keeper to beat.

There was never a hint of another goal chance for either side after those misses, but the superbly fit St. Senan's were content to pick their points, adding five to two from their opponents to set up an interesting final with the Kerry champions in a fortnight’s time.

Scorers for St. Senan's: M. Keane 0-4 (0-2 free); Denis Russell 0-3 (frees); G. Keane 0-2; David Russell, B. Smyth, M. O’Shea, J. Larkin, D. De Loughrey 0-1 each.

Cahir: B. Hickey 0-3 (0-1 free, 0-1 45); P.Whelan 0-2 (0-1 free); G. Leahy, L. Kiely, P. Frazer, J. McGrath (free), P. O’Flaherty 0-1 each.

ST. SENAN'S: K. Harte; B. Smyth, G. Crotty, C. Kirwan; D. Garvey, D. Kelly, J. Enright; Denis Russell, David Russell; J. Larkin, M. O’Shea, M. Keane; B. Harte, N. O’Shea, G. Keane. Subs. D. De Loughrey for Harte; B. McNamara for Garvey; J. Garvey for O’Shea; K. Larkin for J. Larkin.

CAHIR: B. Enright; D. Lonergan, D. O’Gorman, G. Berry; R. Costigan, P. Frazer, P. O’Flaherty; M. Tarrant, G. Morrison; R. Halley, M. Costigan, J. McGrath; P. Whelan, B. Hickey, G. Leahy. Subs. J. Hyland for Leahy; G. O’Gorman for Halley; L. Kiely for Morrison; E. Hally for Frazer; D. Tarrant for Lonergan.

Referee: M. Collins (Cork).