Forde rescues draw for Silvermines

Silvermines 2-18

Clonakenny 1-21

Report: Liam Hogan in Templederry

Three injury time frees by Jason Forde free helped Silvermines gain a share of the spoils against Clonakenny in a well contested Seamus O’Riain Cup first round clash on Saturday.

Forde was Silvermines saviour all through the hour. His side had conceded the first four points before he opened the ‘Mines account in the tenth minute. Clonakenny continued to hold firm and with Nicky Ryan and Diarmuid Ryan to the fore they led 0-7 to 0-4 at the water-break.

And while Clonakenny had done well in the back line their forward line had potential too with, Ryan, Cian O’Dwyer and Pa Ryan troubling the North men as Nicky Ryan put the Mid-men six to the good nine minutes from half time.

At this stage the’ Mines had switched Jason Forde to a defensive role and it wasn’t long before his influence began to tell, not least in the 23rd minute when Oisin Murphy got through for a goal which brought Mines back into contention, 0-10 to 1-5.

The scores were coming thick and fast as the ‘Mines went from strength to strength outscoring the opposition 0-5 to 0-1 to take a two point lead on the half hour mark.

Not ready to be outdone Clonakenny regrouped with Nicky & Pa Ryan continuing to create panic but Silvermines goalkeeper David Shanahan came to his sides rescue and not for the first time before O’Dwyer and Nicky Ryan scored a point each to send the teams level at half time, 1-10 to 0-13.

Scores were level three times in the opening ten minutes of the second half before Cian O’Dwyer edged Clonakenny ahead with a free. However, the ‘Mines responded in style as Orrie Quirke, now spending time in the defence, sent a long ball in the direction of Jason Forde, who operating at full forward, jumped highest ahead of two Clonakenny defenders before turning sharply and firing a rocket to the roof of Willie Costigan’s net for a 2-13 to 0-17 lead.

Cian O’Dwyer pulled one back for Clonakenny but Forde replied with a splendid point quickly followed by an Orrie Quirke score from outfield. Two Cian O’Dwyer frees left the minimum between the teams but in the 56th minute a Michael Carroll delivery found Nicky Ryan who had nothing else in mind but a goal to put Clonakenny two in front with four minutes of normal time remaining.

Approaching the hour mark play was held up with Donie Creed needing attention before he was stretchered off. It was deep into injury time when Cian O’Dwyer’s free put Clonakenny three clear.

However, the ‘Mines were not ready to give in. John Costigan was penalised for overcarrying and Forde pointed the resulting free and there was more as Oisin Murphy and Padraig Fogarty were each fouled close to goal and Forde did the rest.

Player of the Match: Jason Forde (Silvermines)

Silvermines: David Shanahan (8); Edward Ryan (7), Darragh Nolan (7), Patrick Leamy (7); Mark Daniels (6), Darragh McKelvey (6), Michael Hogan (6); Colin O’Brien (7), Michael Corcoran (7); Jason Forde (1-12, 0-8f, 0-1 65) 8), Ronan Sherlock (6), Ruairi Maher (0-3, 7); Padraig Fogarty (7), Orrie Quirke (0-3, 7), Oisin Murphy (1-0, 7).

Subs: Conor McKelvey (6) for Sherlock (46); Sean Spillane (6) for Maher (53); Andrew Hayden (NR) for O’Brien (60+3).

Clonakenny: Willie Costigan (7); Alexi Harty (7), Diarmuid Ryan (7), Donie Greed (7); John Costigan (7), John Joe Ryan (7), Willie Ryan (0-1f, 8); Matthew O’Sullivan (7), Pa Ryan (0-1, 7); Delacy Byrne (0-1, 7), Conor Shanahan (7), Cian O’Dwyer (0-11, 7f) 8); Nicky Ryan (1-5, 8), Michael John Carroll (0-1, 7), Stephen Maher (0-1, 7).

Subs: Paul Bergin for Carroll (Blood 3-17); Peadar Byrne (7) for Maher (51); Paul Bergin (NR) for Creed (60+3 inj).

Referee: Tom McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney).