Bergin hits goal trail to keep Roscrea rolling

Roscrea justified their favourites’ tag with a comprehensive 4-13 to 1-9 win over Cashel in the second round of the Tipperary SHC at Templemore last night.

Even without regulars Liam England and Darren O’Connor, Roscrea looked the better side. An early goal from Jamie Bergin got them moving and though Cashel’s Jonathan Grogan netted for his side shortly afterwards, Bergin grabbed a second goal in the 13th minute to keep Roscrea in control.

Cashel were doing reasonably well but on the stroke of half time Ethan Flynn punished slack Cashel defending with a third Roscrea goal and an interval lead of 3-7 to 1-6.

Cashel needed a big start to the second half. Instead, Bergin completed his hat-trick, reducing the remainder of the game to a formality.

While Bergin was the scoring hero for Roscrea, Sean and Diarmuid Fitzgerald, Ethan and Davin Flynn, and Padraic Carroll were others to have big games. For Cashel, Lee Burke, Jonathan Grogan, Mickey Coleman, Eddie Walshe and Simon Delaney were to the fore.

Meanwhile, former hurling All Star Declan Fanning bagged a remarkable 5-2 as Killenaule surged to an easy 7-11 to 0-3 win over Moyne-Templetuohy in the county SFC at Littleton.

Veteran Fanning struck three times in the first half as Killenaule went 3-5 to 0-2 clear. He scored his fourth goal in the 38th minute and, bagged his fifth near the end to set the seal on his man-of-the-match performance.

County U21 hurler John 'Bubbles’ O’Dwyer was another to star for the winners, scoring 1-5.

Tony Doyle, Paddy Codd, Michael Bergin and Cathal Bergin were others to catch the eye for the winners, while for Moyne-Templetuohy, Odhran Lloyd, Michael Esdmonde, Ronan Ely and Jack Fogarty did best.

Moyle Rovers overpowered neighbours Clonmel Óg with four second-half goals in their clash at Clonmel.

Rovers led by a modest 0-7 to 0-2 at the interval but two goals in two minutes at the end of the third quarter by former All Star Declan Browne sent Moyle Rovers on their way.

Sean Carey and John Shanahan added further goals for a comfortable win. Browne scored 2-6 from play and was at this brilliant best as Moyle Rovers set down a marker for the championship.

It took extra time to separate championship specialists Fethard and Ardfinnan, also at Clonmel, Fethard coming out on top 0-11 to 0-10.

Fethard looked to be heading for victory but Brian Lonergan levelled for Ardfinnan late on for a 0-9 each draw.

Lonergan put Ardfinnan ahead in extra time, but points by Brian Coen and John Paul Looby gave Fethard the edge.

Paul Fitzgerald, Brian Delahunty, Ronan Fitzgerald and Brian Coen were most influential for Fethard.