Ardfinnan blow for Cahir

CAHIR’S quest to go one step better in the 2009 Tipperary SFC shipped a major blow on Saturday when they lost to Ardfinnan in Round one.

Last year’s beaten finalists must now bank on winning the South championship to secure a slot back into the county competition after divisional rivals Ardfinnan scored a 1-13 to 2-6 victory in Clonmel.

Paul Kennedy’s late goal proved crucial for Ardfinnan as team-mate Brian Lonergan top-scored with eight points.

Ardfinnan now face Fethard, who won the ‘battle of the placed balls’ 0-11 to 0-9 against Clonmel Óg in Kilsheelan.

Fethard came with a late surge to see off the challenge of last year’s county intermediate champions, who are finding life tough after coming up to the senior ranks.

However, Fethard managed just one point from play during the entire game as nine of Brian Coen’s points were frees while Aidan Fitzgerald added a crucial 45.

Tipperary U-21 player Dwayne Burns scored eight points for Clonmel Óg, including four from play and a superb sideline ball, while Jonathan O’Donoghue added a free.

Clonmel Commercials scored a 1-8 to 0-6 victory against 2006 champions Aherlow at New Inn to set up a second round meeting with holders Galtee Rovers. Commercials led 1-6 to 0-2 at half-time as Ian Barnes followed up Eoin Leahy’s third-minute goal with five first half frees.

Last night, former Allstar Declan Browne scored 1-5 for Moyle Rovers as they defeated Loughmore-Castleiney 3-8 to 1-6 in Cashel. First-half goals from Browne and Diarmuid Foley secured a comfortable 2-5 to 0-4 interval lead for 2007 county champions Rovers.

Underage star Peter Acheson bagged a third goal in the second half as Rovers cruised to victory before David McGrath scored a consolation penalty for off-colour Loughmore-Castleiney with two minutes remaining.

Moyle Rovers will now meet Éire Óg Annacarty in the second round with a quarter-final place at stake while Loughmore-Castleiney must now win the Mid division to re-enter the county championship at the quarter-final stage.

Champions Galtee Rovers, meanwhile, were handed a walkover to the second round as opponents Thomas McDonagh’s failed to field a team last night.