Silvermines find extra gear to qualify from group after victory over Éire Óg Annacarty

FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship - Group 2 - Round 3

Silvermines 2-19  

Éire Óg Annacarty 2-17

By James Hayden  

A determined second-half performance ensured Silvermines overcame a steadfast Éire Óg Annacarty side in what proved an absorbing Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship encounter at a wind-whipped Borrisoleigh on Saturday afternoon.

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Despite trailing by three points at the break and facing into the teeth of a gusting strong breeze for the second-half, Silvermines mustered enough resolve to edge out an Annacarty side who were severely hampered by not one, but two, second-half dismissals.

The talismanic Brian Fox saw red in the 34th minute for Seamus Maher’s side after picking up two yellows in quick succession, before Paul Downey was straight-red-carded following a 55th minute off the ball altercation with Silvermines captain, Conor McKelvey.

Regardless of the dismissals, Éire Óg Annacarty fought right to the bitter end, with the second dismissal resulting in the ‘Mines losing their shape somewhat in the latter stages and almost allowing the West side to snatch the unlikeliest of victories.

A missed Darragh Mooney penalty, coupled with three late frees deep in time added on from the 20-metre line, yielded just one point when it could have been much more for an Éire Óg Annacarty side who will now face into a preliminary quarter-final next weekend as a result of their recent annexing of the West premier intermediate title.

Silvermines finished the group stages in second place and are now in what many would perceive as bonus territory for the Declan Corcoran-managed side, especially considering the loss of the influential Michael Corcoran with a long-term knee injury prior to the start of their campaign.

The opening half saw the ‘Mines start brightly with three early points on the bounce as Éire Óg struggled to cope with hurling into the teeth of the gusting gale. However, a tenth-minute Daragh Kelly goal following a neat Brian Fox delivery served to restore parity before pointed frees from both Daragh Kelly and Aiden Griffin fired Éire Óg Annacarty two clear.

Jason Forded narrowed the gap to just a solitary point mid-way through the half with a well-struck 65’ after Andy Hayden had brought the best out of Darragh Mooney with a low goalbound drive. 

Donal O’Dwyer and Dinny Crosse both bisected the uprights to restore Éire Óg’s three-point lead before two sublime points from the effervescent Seán Nolan book-ended a fine Patrick Leamy point from range to bring the ‘Mines upsides once more.

Although their centre-back Darragh McKelvey was forced off with the recurrence of a leg injury on 21 minutes, the ‘Mines were really finding their rhythm now with corner-forward Andy Hayden popping up for a delicious 24th minute effort before Paudie Bradshaw and Conor McKelvey exchanged points in quick succession as the watch ticked towards the break.

A second Patrick Leamy point from range brought the ‘Mines level once more on the 28th minute mark, but a lapse in their defence allowed Brian Fox to embark on a mazy run from well inside his own half and hand off to Dinny Crosse on his shoulder. 

Crosse crashed the sliotar to the back of the ‘Mines net for a cracking goal to ensure Éire Óg Annacarty took a 2-7 to 0-10 lead to the dressing room.

Éire Óg Annacarty emerged determined to embellish their interval advantage, but were rocked back on their heels by a cracking Andy Hayden goal straight from the re-start following an inch-perfect Jason Forde delivery. 

The West side were then dealt a heavy blow with the early dismissal of the influential Brian Fox.

Successive frees from the stick of Daragh Kelly edged Éire Óg two clear in the 41st minute but points from an on-fire Seán Nolan and Jason Forde pegged back Annacarty before four points on the bounce for the ‘Mines saw them lead by three with ten minutes of normal time remaining. 

Éire Óg Annacarty lost their captain, Paudie Bradshaw, on 51 minutes after Conor McKelvey was yellow-carded for a late shoulder. Minutes later, Paul Downey received his marching orders following an off the ball altercation with McKelvey before Seán Nolan rattled the back of the Éire Óg net with a sublimely skilful  57th minute goal.

Éire Óg Annacarty re-grouped, though, and with approximately six minutes of injury time to play, they set about reeling in the ‘Mines. Connie Bradshaw cut the deficit to five before Patrick Leamy retorted with an effort from range.

Éire Óg Annacarty threw everything at a faltering Silvermines side in the closing stages, though with three points on the bounce, and realistically, they could have snatched victory given their dominance in time added on. The ‘Mines rearguard held fast though, and held out for a hard-earned and hard-fought three-point victory.

Silvermines were impressive for the vast majority of the game with their inside forward line of Seán Nolan and Andy Hayden amassing 2-7 from play between them. Patrick Leamy was a stand-out performer at midfield, while Seán McGrath really caught the eye in defence. 

Jason Forde and Conor McKelvey chipped in with some fine points, also. For Éire Óg Annacarty, Tom Fox, Dinny Crosse, Daragh Kelly, and Paudie Bradshaw impressed while Donal O’Dwyer picked off three fine points from play for a side that will no doubt re-group to have a say in this year's county championship. 

Scorers: Silvermines: Seán Nolan 1-5, Jason Forde (0-7, 0-4, 0-2 65s), Andy Hayden 1-2, Patrick Leamy 0-3, Sean McGrath, Conor McKelvey 0-1 each.

Éire Óg Annacarty: Darragh Kelly (1-3, 0-3f), Aidan Griffin (0-5, 0-4f), Dinny Crosse 1-2, Donal O’Dwyer 0-3, Darragh Mooney 0-1f, Seanie Ryan, Paudie Bradshaw, Connor Bradshaw all 0-1 each.

Silvermines: Conor Murphy; Sean McGrath, Noel Quirke, Darragh Nolan; Luke O’Brien, Darragh McKelvey, Noel Quirke; Patrick Leamy, Cathal Treacy; Conor McKelvey, Jason Forde, Darragh Treacy; Andy Hayden, Danny Quinn, Seán Nolan.

Subs used: Bryan Seymour for D McKelvey (22); Adam Steed for Quirke (52); Oisin Murphy for Quinn (60); Cynan Bailey for C. McKelvey (62).

Éire Óg Annacarty: Darragh Mooney; Darragh O’Brien, David Fox, Mixie Bradshaw; Brian Fox, Tom Fox, Daniel Kelly; Connie Bradshaw, Paudie Bradshaw; Conor O’Brien, Dinny Crosse, Seanie Ryan; Aidan Griffin, Darragh Kelly, Donal O’Dwyer.

Subs used: Adam Kelly for P Bradshaw (52).

Referee: John Dooley (Thurles Gaels)

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