Super Swans swoop for derby win

THE eagerly-anticipated Carrick-on-Suir derby in the Glanbia South Senior Hurling Championship went the way of the visitors at Davin Park in front of a bumper crowd yesterday.

As many as 2,000 people were present for a high-scoring clash that finished 2-17 to 1-18 in favour of Carrick Swans against the Davins.

The best game of the South SHC so far saw former Tipperary senior Danny O’Hanlon bag 0-12 for Swan, including 0-9 from frees.

Swan led by 0-12 to 0-8 at half-time before Alan P Ryan and Dwayne Fogarty scored the crucial second-half goals in a rip-roaring encounter which saw both teams make the headlines for all the right reasons.

Michael Cronin was also in good free-taking form for the Davins while Lee Mackey, who hurled for Tipperary against Cork recently in the Munster IHC, was hugely impressive at centre back.

The South SHC group stages are delicately poised at this stage, with defending champions Mullinahone the only confirmed team through to the semi-finals.

At Cloneen last Saturday evening, Mullinahone ran out 4-13 to 3-8 winners against an understrength Killenaule side in what was a repeat of last year’s divisional final.

A couple of late goals from Killenaule brought some degree of respectability as Kevin Waltzer, Sean Curran and Stephen O’Brien got among the goals for the champions.

Now on five points from four games, Carrick Swan are almost assured of a semi-final place as Carrick Davin, Ballingarry and Ballybacon-Grange battle it out for the remaining two spots.

After losing their opening three matches, Ballybacon finally got off the mark against a disappointing Ballingarry side last Friday evening in Fethard.

Tipperary senior goalkeeper Brendan Cummins scored 1-5 from placed balls, including a 20-metre free, as Ballybacon-Grange won by 1-13 to 0-12.

Elsewhere, there was just one game played yesterday in the Tipperary Co-op Super Valu West SHC, as Éire Óg Annacarty booked their place in the semi-finals.

Inspired by brothers Conor, Damian and Ronan O’Brien, Éire Óg secured a comfortable 3-14 to 2-8 victory against Cashel King Cormacs in Dundrum.

Kevin Fox and Ronan O’Brien scored early goals for the winners before William Fitzell replied for Cashel, who exit the divisional championship.

At half-time, Éire Óg led by 2-6 to 1-6 before Pat Ahearne added a third goal nine minutes into the second half.

Ryan O’Dwyer’s penalty midway through the half brought Cashel to within seven points, 2-7 to 3-11, but Éire Óg were never troubled as both teams finished with 14 men following the dismissals of Cashel’s Eddie Walsh and opponent Michael O’Dwyer.

Meanwhile, in the Tipperary County Senior Football Championship, two-time All-Star Declan Browne was in devastating form for Moyle Rovers at the weekend.

Browne scored 1-11 of his side’s total as the defending champions booked their place in the quarter-finals with a 1-15 to 2-7 victory against Arravale Rovers.

Cahir also progressed to the last eight thanks to a 2-8 to 1-7 victory against Galtee Rovers at New Inn.

A James McGrath goal in the sixth minute of stoppage time sealed victory for Cahir in what was a repeat of the 2008 county final.