51 Years ago this week, Carrick Swan defeated a West Tipperary Combo of Clonoulty & Eire Og Annacarty to win their first, and to date only, County u21 ‘A’ Hurling Championship.

The final was played in Semple Stadium on Sunday December 10th, 1972.

You can read the match report from that game, here:

The team for the County Final was:
 
1. Tony Hogan
 
2. Pat Shea
3. Paddy Dwyer
4. Jim Whelan
 
5. Kevin Dalton
6. Sean Fitzpatrick
7. Kevin McDonnell
 
8. Maurice Grace
9. Pat Kirby
 
10. Tony Fitzpatrick
11. Jim Kehoe
12. Tony Keane
 
13. Maurice Walsh
14. Jerry McDonnell
15. Noel Russell
Frankie Power replaced Jim Whelan during the game.

Road to the Final 

  • South Semi-Final: Defeated Ballingarry after a replay
  • South Final: Defeated Carrick Davins
  • County Semi Final: Defeated Mid Tipperary’s Moycarkey Borris
  • County Final: Defeated West Tipperary’s Combo of Clonoulty & Eire Og Anacarty

Swan’s u21 hurling year in 1972, was nearly over before it began when we had to come from behind to draw with a strong Ballingarry team in the South Semi-Final, in Clonmel Sportsfield on Friday September 1st, 1972.

The replay took place a couple of weeks later, which Swan won to qualify them for a South Final against local rivals, Carrick Davins.

Unfortunately no match reports are available for either Ballingarry game. Here’s a preview of the South Final that mentions both games, though.

The South Final took place on November 19th, in miserable conditions, in Davin Park. Swan came out on top, with 3 goals to spare.

After retaining the South title (we also won it in 1971), Swan travelled to Cashel to take on Mid Tipperary’s Moycarkey-Borris, the following weekend.

That game took place on Sunday November 26th and a strong finish saw us qualify for the County Final.

As mentioned previously, the final was placed on Sunday December 10th 1972, and Carrick Swan defeated the Clonoulty-Eire Og Annacarty Combo to win their first u21 County ‘A’ Hurling title.

u21 hurling has been played in November & December since Jesus was a boy. It’s a pity, as it’s a grade that consistently produces outstanding games of hurling year in, year out.