Cashel kings again after exciting win over Carrick Swan

Eoghan Connolly scored 1-2 for Cashel. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Tipp Premier IHC final: Cashel King Cormacs 2-17 Carrick Swan 0-19

Cashel King Cormacs are back in top flight hurling in Tipperary after ten years following their hard-earned win over Carrick Swan in the Tipperary Premier IHC final at Semple Stadium.

It was a closely fought contest that delighted the large gathering in early before the senior final. A goal in either half tipped the balance in Cashel’s favour. Cashel were 0-1 to 0-3 behind when Devon Ryan finished to the Swan net from a James Cummins pass after 14 minutes.

It was a huge boost for Cashel playing against the fresh breeze but Swans, with Calum Lanigan leading the way scoring seven points, six from frees, were still ahead 0-11 to 1-5 at the break.

Nine minutes into the second half Cashel got their second goal when a long-range free from countyman Eoghan Connolly went all the way to the Carrick net for a 2-12 to 0-15 lead. 

Cashel never looked back after that and Carrick’s cause was not helped with the loss of Jack Murphy to a red card after 48 minutes. They kept up the pressure to the end but the goal they needed eluded them with Cashel fans piling onto the field at the finish to salute their return to senior hurling next year.

Cashel had already won the Crosco cup and West divisional title. Devon Ryan was Man of the Match scoring 1-7, 4 frees, but Conor O'Dwyer, Eoghan Connolly, Ross Bonner, and James Cummins were also leaders on the day.

Swan had won the South division senior title earlier this year but had to give best in this encounter. Calum Lanigan who scored 14 points, 12 from frees, was their top performer with Aaron Dunne, Gavin O Halloran, Eric O Halloran and Dean Kiely also prominent.

CASHEL KING CORMACS: J Walsh; Con Bonner, N Ryan, K O Dwyer; J Cummins, C O Dwyer(0-1), R Connolly(0-1); P Fahey, E Connolly(1-2); C Quinn, D Ryan(1-7,4fs), O O’Donoghue(0-1); D McGrath(0-2), A Walsh(0-1), R Bonner(0-2); 

Subs: A Cummins for R Bonner (56), G Browne (0-1) for R Connolly (57), S Delaney for Walsh (62).

CARRICK SWAN: K Lonergan; D Kiely, S Hogan, J Murphy; C Loughman, G O Halloran, B Mulcaire; A O Halloran, D Waters (0-1); E O Halloran, C Lanigan(0-14, 12fs), D Fitzgerald-Walsh; A Waters, A Dunne(0-2), C Walsh (0-1)

Subs: D O Hanlon (0-1) for D F Walsh (35), T Fleming for Waters (44);

Ref: M Kennedy, Silvermines