The ‘Mines leave revival too late

GAA: FBD Insurance County Junior ‘B’ Hurling Championship Semi-Final 2020

Cashel King Cormacs 1-10

Silvermines 2-6

Report: Michael Dundon at The Ragg

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Adrian Cummins (Cashel King Cormacs).

SCORERS – Cashel King Cormacs: Adrian Cummins 0-9 (5 frees); Luke Quinlan 1-0; Eoin Laffin 0-1.

Silvermines: David Keogh 1-5 (0-3 frees); Daniel Keogh 1-1.

A last gasp effort by Silvermines to rescue their County Junior ‘B’ Hurling title aspirations came up marginally short on Saturday evening where they lost by a single point to Cashel King Cormacs in a full-blooded semi-final that had the one-hundred fans on their toes right to the finish.

This was a game that could have gone either way and Silvermines will justifiably argue they had the chances to succeed but lapses in front of goal from play and frees cost them dearly and so they cannot complain about the outcome.

A sluggish opening quarter did not help the North champions, who, though they had the first score, a David Keogh pointed free after five minutes, were 0-4 to 0-1 behind at the first water break. Cashel were dominating with former senior Adrian Cummins deadly accurate from frees and play, registering all their scores.

The ‘Mines needed a lift, and it came in the 25th minute when Daniel Keogh whipped home a goal after a fine four-man move but at the break Cashel were still ahead 0-6 to 1-1.

The North champions began the second half in a more determined fashion. David Keogh might have had a goal but scooped his effort over the bar. However, he quickly added two further points inside eight minutes to put his team ahead for the one and only time (1-4 to 0-6). It was there now for the ‘Mines if they could drive on.

Cashel gathered themselves however, and after Cummins levelled came the all-important score for them when Luke Quinlan netted for a 1-7 to 1-4 advantage. At the second water break it was 1-8 to 1-5 in Cashel’s favour. Silvermines were not done yet, but time was now against them.

After Cummins extended Cashel’s lead in the 55th minute David Keogh responded for Silvermines from a free but though they pressed forward in pursuit of further scores the Cashel defence held firm and when Eoin Laffin pointed as they game went into injury time to leave four points between them Silvermines’ “race” was run.

To their credit they never gave up and David Keogh’s goal in injury time had them only a single point behind. However, John Lillis’ long whistle called a halt with some of the Silvermines players feeling they should have had a little longer.

Cashel highly regard this combination and with the prospect of county title on the horizon they will be hoping that the injured Willie Fitzelle will be fit for the decider. Adrian Cummins led the side with an assured display at the heart of the attack though Cashel will be anxious to see others share the scoring burden. Cummins notched nine of Cashel’s eleven scores; others need to step up to the plate. The displays of Paraic Ryan, Cormac Ryan, Paraic Clarke, Michael Killian O’Dwyer, and Thomas Skeffington were also worthy of note.

Silvermines cannot be faulted for effort, but they will regret spurning some favourable scoring chances, misses that ultimately cost them the game. They were not helped by an early injury to Diarmuid Brennan but the failure of their attack to yield a better return for a reasonably generous share of the play led to their downfall.

For much of the hour they were playing catch-up, and with scores in short supply, found ground difficult to make up. No blame can be attached to TJ Timmons, Cathal Gleeson, Patrick Leamy, and David Keogh who worked their socks off while Cathal Sherlock was confident in goal.

Cashel now go forward to meet Gortnahoe-Glengoole, who overcame Cahir in the other semi-final at the weekend.

TEAMS – Cashel King Cormacs: Ross Whelan (6); Michael Killian O’Dwyer (6), Ciaran Quinn (6), John Gaffney (6); Adam Skeffington (6), Cormac Ryan (7), Paraic Brosnan (7); Pat Muldoon (6), Paraic Clarke (7); Thomas Skeffington (6), Adrian Cummins (9), William Fitzell (NR); Adrian O’Dwyer (6), Michael McDermott (6), James O’Sullivan (6).

Subs: Luke Quinlan (6) for Fitzell (8 inj), Eoin Laffin (6) for A O’Dwyer (35); Conor Devitt (6) for O’Sullivan (39).

Silvermines: Cathal Sherlock (7); Diarmuid Brennan (6), Maurice Leamy (6), TJ Timmons (7); Peter Kennedy (6), Cathal Gleeson (6), Tadgh Ryan (6); Patrick Leamy (7), Gary Toohey (6); Ciaran Timmons (6), David Boland (6), Kieran Fogarty (6); Daniel Keogh (6), David Keogh (7), Sean Spillane (6).

Subs: Damian Egan (6) for Brennan (13 inj), Cathal McGrath (6) for Toohey (29), Sean Quinlan (6) for Fogarty (HT).

Referee: John Lillis (Drom & Inch).