Cahir's dream of winning a Tipperary senior football title at the first attempt became a reality at Clonmel yesterday when they saw off the challenge of neighbours Ardfinnan.

A confident Cahir, playing against the wind, dominated the exchanges in the first half despite conceding a point to Ardfinnan's wing forward Michael Phelan in the first minute.

They drew level when man of the match Benny Hickey had the first of his three pointed frees in the fifth minute and went ahead with a James McGrath point from play three minutes later.

Ardfinnan failed to score for 36 minutes and Cahir - with further points from Hickey (free), McGrath and Padraig Whelan - led 0-5 to 0-1 at half-time.

An improving Ardfinnan came back into the game with two points from Michael Phelan to trail 0-5 to 0-3 on 46 minutes.

They edged closer when substitute Paul Kennedy pointed a 53rd-minute free, but Cahir put in a storming finish to clinch victory.

Hickey landed Cahir's first score of the second half on 53 minutes. And, in the third minute of added-time, substitute Kiely sealed victory with a classy point.

CAHIR: A Burke; D Lonergan, D O'Gorman, P Hyland; R Costigan, P Frazer, P O'Flaherty; M Tarrant, J Hyland; R Halley, G Morrison, J McGrath (0-2); P Whelan (0-1), B Hickey (0-3, frees), G Leahy. Subs: L Kiely (0-1) for G Leahy; G O'Gorman for R Halley; D Maguire for P Whelan.

ARDFINNAN: E Ryan; T Maher, AJ Lonergan, N Carrigan; M English, G Ryan, K O'Brien; S Maher, A Keating; M Phelan (0-3, 0-2 frees), T Browne, P Norton; A O'Gorman, T O'Leary, J English. Subs: P Kennedy (0-1) for P Norton; B Lonergan for A O'Gorman; S Sweeney for AJ Lonergan; P Halley for T O'Leary.

Referee: B Tyrrell (St Mary's, Clonmel).