Terrific Silvermines seal dramatic U21B North title in thrilling extra-time win over Kilruane

FBD Insurance North Tipperary Under 21B Hurling Championship Final

Silvermines 3-21

Kilruane MacDonaghs 2-21

By James Hayden

A superb Silvermines side overcame a tremendous Kilruane outfit to be crowned North Tipperary under 21B hurling champions following an enthralling and absorbing battle at a bitterly chilly Templederry on Sunday last.

In what was surely one of the games of the year both sides went into this encounter determined to bring the Peter Nolan Cup back to their respective parish and it proved a clash that required over 80 minutes of hard, determined hurling to separate the sides.

Judging by both sides’ campaigns to date and their semi-final victories over Lorrha Rovers and Burgess respectively this clash was always going to be a close one and it came with echoes of the past with the same sides re-enacting a hard-fought under 21B North decider from over 30 years ago, on an August day in 1992 when Silvermines prevailed by 2-8 to 0-13.

History repeats itself some say and for the ‘Mines this adage rang true but Kilruane came within a whisker of capturing the spoils following a strong second-half performance which on the balance of play should have edged them over the line.

Silvermines are nothing if not a resilient and resolute side though. With time just up and defeat staring them square in the face, and a four-point gap to bridge,  they somehow managed the impossible. 

Captain, Conor McKelvey clipped over a well-struck free to narrow the gap to three points, and with a goal now required to send the tie to extra time it was all hands to the pump for what had been a teak-tough Kilruane rearguard throughout. 

Somehow, Silvermines fashioned a purposeful attack though and from the toes of the crowded stand a high looping ball was sent in ‘around the house’. The sliotar broke kindly for full-forward Danny Quinn and with a flash of his hurl the sliotar was in the back of the Kilruane net.

Referee Philip Kelly blew full time with the sides locked on a scoreline of 3-20 to 1-14 with extra time required to separate the sides. Silvermines proved the stronger side though in extra time with county men, Conor McKelvey and Michael Corcoran coming into their own. 

The men in blue and white outscored Kilruane by 0-7 to 1-1 in extra time with six of the ‘Mines tally coming from the stick of McKelvey and one from corner-forward, Sean Nolan. 

Kilruane battled right to the death with the outstanding Páidí Williams netting his second goal of the game from a free just as the 80 minutes elapsed.

In what proved a hugely exciting battle from start to finish on what was an excellent Templederry sod it was Kilruane who started the brighter with Páidí Williams on target from two early placed balls. 

Silvermines were back on terms quickly thanks to efforts from Conor McKelvey (free) and Darragh Treacy before Páidí Williams gathered a high dropping ball and rattled the sliotar off the crossbar and over with a one-handed strike.

Although Kilruane captain Aaron Morgan carried a knock into the game he was popping up in all the right places in the opening half and with Williams in such fine form from placed balls it wasn’t long before Kilruane surged into a three-point lead, 0-6 to 0-3. 

Darragh Treacy kept the ‘Mines in touch before a low drive from the stick of Cathal Treacy nestled in the back of the Kilruane net, after Sean Nolan and Danny Quinn had combined neatly to provide Treacy with the shooting opportunity.

Kilruane responded with a 14th minute Páidí Williams 65’ before Silvermines snatched their second goal of the game after Darragh McKelvey’s approach play allowed Danny Quinn to rattle the Kilruane net once more. 

At this juncture, the impressive Sean Ryan Prendiville had been tasked with the role of curbing Aaron Morgan’s influence, and by the 20th minute, the Mines held a 2-5 to 0-8 advantage thanks to a sweet Sean McGrath effort from range. Luke O’Brien also cut a commanding figure in defence and at midfield, Michael Corcoran and Adam Steed were engaged in a ding-dong battle with Brian O’Meara and Cathal England.

The scores began to come thick and fast as the interval approached with Nathan Lynch and Páidí Williams on target for Thomas Williams’ charges while Conor McKelvey (two frees) and Darragh Treacy were on target for the ‘Mines. 

A scything, surging, slalom of a run along the subs bench sideline resulted in a fantastic point from Silvermines wing-back, Cynan Bailey before the final score of the saw Páidí Williams tap over from close-range after a penetrating run from Kilruane centre-back, Cian Moyles.

Silvermines took a four-point interval advantage to the dressing room, 2-9 to 0-11 but Kilruane emerged determined to bridge the gap. An early Conor McKelvey free extended Silvermines’ advantage but uppopped Eoin Carroll for his first of four second-half points from play. 

Silvermines maintained a five-point lead until the 41st minute when a ‘daisycutter’ of a close-range free from Páidí Williams somehow ended up in the back of the ‘Mine net, 2-12 to 1-14. 

This goal proved the catalyst for a strong Kilruane revival and with further points from Williams and Brian O’Meara, the Kilruane were back on terms as the game entered the final quarter, 2-12 to 1-15.

Conor Murphy in the ‘Mines goal pulled off a tremendous 49th-minute save from Brian O’Meara before successive points from Eoin Carroll handed Kilruane the initiative. 

Conor McKelvey responded with a long-range score for the ‘Mines but Brian O’Meara, Eoin Carroll, and Páidí Williams (free) were all on target to fire Kilruane into a seemingly unassailable four-point lead with time almost up.

Cue a Silvermines comeback of almost miraculous proportions to send the tie to extra-time. Kilruane won the toss and with no real breeze to contend with they elected to play the same direction in which they had concluded the second half. 

The ‘Mines proved the stronger side though in the first period with three Conor McKelvey points compared to just one from Kilruane, a fine effort from substitute Paul Dwyer, ensuring a 3-17 to 1-21 interval lead. 

Four points without reply in the second period all but copper fastened the title for the ’Mines with a late Páidí Williams goal causing the ‘Mines hearts to skip a beat, but it mattered not as Silvermines captured the North Tipperary under-21B hurling title in what has been a hugely memorable year for the club.

The ‘Mines hurled extremely well as a unit on the day and were well marshaled by their management team of Niall Curran, Declan Bailey, and Cathal Gleeson. There were impressive performances all around with the inside back line of Kevin Hayden, Sean Ryan Prendiville and Sean McGrath coping well while Cynan Bailey, Luke O’Brien, and Cathal McGrath held the half-back line. 

Michael Corcoran and Adam Steed battled hard in midfield with the Silvermines half-forward line proving the most potent with Darragh McKelvey and the Treacy brothers, Cathal and Darragh all registering from play. 

Danny Quinn was the fulcrum around which the inside forward line revolved of Sean Nolan and Gerard Leamy and his two goals proved hugely influential in fashioning a ‘Mines victory.

For Kilruane Brian O’Meara and Cathal England impressed in midfield while center-back, Cian Moyles and full-back David O’Sullivan caught the eye as did Aaron Morgan and Eoin Carroll while Páidí Williams was Kilruane’s main threat throughout with a personal haul of 2-11 on the day.

Silvermines: Conor Murphy; Kevin Hayden, Sean Ryan Prendiville, Sean McGrath (0-1); Cynan Bailey (0-1), Luke O’Brien, Cathal McGrath; Michael Corcoran, Adam Steed; Cathal Treacy (1-1), Conor McKelvey (0-14, 0-9f), Darragh Treacy (0-3); Danny Quinn (2-0), Gerard Leamy, Sean Nolan (0-1).

Subs used: Brian Leamy for Gerard Leamy (56); Gerard Leamy for Sean McGrath (ET); Ronan Cunneen (NR) for Hayden (ET); William Murphy (NR) for Quinn (ET).

Kilruane MacDonaghs: Kevin Naughnane; Danny Cahalan, David O’Sullivan, Ciaran Coffey; Sean Hayes, Cian Moyles, Eamonn Coonan; Brian O’Meara (0-2), Cathal England; Jack Mulcahy (0-2), Páidí Wiliams (2-11, 2-6f, 0-2 65s), Cormac Doheny; Eoin Carroll (0-4), Aaron Morgan (0-1), Nathan Lynch (0-1).

Subs used: Paul O’Dwyer (0-1) for Lynch (55); Cian Hayes for S Hayes (ET).

Referee: Philip Kelly (Ballinahinch)