THE NATIONALIST
Saturday 13th September 2003

Super start sets Swan on their way to title

South Minor Hurling 'A' Championship Final

Carrick Swans 1-13, Killenaule 1-8

• Despite miserable weather conditions a fine attendance at Anner Park. Cloneen on Sunday evening was treated to a quality Chadwicks sponsored South Tipperary Minor Hurling (A) final, which resulted in a tremendous victory for a very skilful determined and impressive, Swans fifteen.
  
  Their opponents Killenaule began the hour as marginal favourites but Swans carried the fight to their rivals right from the throw-in and they stamped their authority on the game in the opening quarter when they gave a power packed performance that had their opponents reeling.
  
  Wayne Murphy opened the scoring for Swans with a fine point in the opening seconds before wing forward Kieran Reid hit a purple patch that saw him shoot a superb goal and two splendid points in the space of six minutes. Killenaule took some time to recover from the barrage but once Stephen Brennan opened their tally with a point from a free in the 11th minute their confidence improved. However Swans were still in flying form and a tremendous point that was initiated in defence by Stephen Hahessy and clinically finished by Stephen Walsh put them 1-4 to 0-I in front. Paul Diffily almost notches a second Swans goal in the 14th minute but was denied by a fine save from Killenaule goalie Gerry Kennedy. Diffily, however, soon added one of the best points of the game as Killenaule defended desperately. Kieran and Niall Bergin gained some Killenaule cheers as they notched valuable points but once again Swans showed their class as Stephen Walsh and Daryl Kavanagh responded with scores. Once again goalie Gerry Kennedy saved splendidly from Wayne Murphy and in the 29th minute against the run of play the Carrick men suffered a reverse as a long range free from Stephen Brennan was misjudged by the defence and ended in the net.
  
  Padraig Kirby added a point for Killenaule with the last puck of the half and very much against the run of play Killenaule were just three points in arrears - 1-7 to 1-4 - as they changed ends.
  
  Killenaule began the second period with a great point from Niall Bergin and it took some fine defending by Swans to contain a further Killenaule attack spearheaded by wing back Vinny Hanrrigan. Killenaule had the ball in the Swans net in the 36th minute but the score was disallowed for a square infringement. The exchanges were now hectic as both sides battled for supremacy. Swans should have had a goal when Daryl Kavanagh was left loose inside the Killenaule defence. He tried to scoop the ball over the goalie but sent it wide and Killenaule breathed again. A great solo run from Paul Diffily yielded Swan's their first score for 20 minutes and although Stephen Brennan negatived this score from a free Swans were regaining their composure and with Diffily showing brilliant skills they picked off three unanswered points to forge a five point lead with thirteen minutes remaining.
  
  Stephen Brennan and Kevin Lanigan swopped points as did Paul Diffily and Niall Bergin and as they entered injury time Killenaule were awarded a 20 metre free. Vinny
  
  Hannigan went for goal but the Swans defence stood firm and they held out for a famous victory in a final that proved hugely entertaining.
  
  Every man on the winning team played his part and the team as a unit played quality hurling with the skill and work rate of players like Paul Diffily, Kieran Reid, Kevin and Pat Lanigan. Stephen Walsh, Andrew Walsh and James Gibbs highly impressive.
  
  Killenaule gave their all and contributed in no small manner to the enjoyment of this decider. Gerry Kennedy, Niall and Kieran Bergin, Vinny Hannigan, Stephen Brennan and Jonathan O'Dwyer were always prominent but on balance Swans were the better all round side and fully deserved their success.
  
  Swans: Kieran Reid 1-3, Paul Diffily 0-4, Stephen Walsh 0-2, Wayne Murphy 0-1, Kevin Lanigan 0-1, Daryl Kavanagh 0-I, Danny 0' Hanlon 0-1.
  
  Killenaule: Stephen Brennan 1-3, Niall Bergin 0-3, Kieran Bergin 0-I. Padraig Kirby 0-1.
  
  Swans: Alan Waters, Stephen Hahessy, Pat Lanigan, David Kelly, Darren Fahey. Kevin Lanigan, Andrew Walsh, James Gibbs, Stephen Walsh, Kieran Reid, Paul Diffily, Daryl Kavanagh, Danny O'Hanlon, Wayne Murphy, David Smith.
  
  Killenaule: Gerry Kennedy, David Maguire, Ian Murphy, James Hickey, Vinny Hannigan, Jonathan O'Dwyer. Georgie Webster, Niall Bergin, Stephen Brennan, Michael Doyle, Kieran Bergin, Eddie Fanning, Darren Croke, Patrick Kirby, Declan Berry. Sub: Kevin Kennedy.
  
  Referee - Seamus Roche (Kilsheelan).