The’ Mines find extra in extra time
Silvermines 4-13
Burgess 3-6
Report: Liam Hogan in Nenagh
Extra time was required for before Silvermines defeated Burgess in an exciting North Tipperary Under 15 ‘B’ Football Final last Thursday.
The eventual winners dominated most of normal time but were too wasteful and as a result they were not able to put Burgess away and almost paid the price in the closing minutes when a John Grace goal gave Burgess a one-point lead going into injury time. Four minutes were added and in the 63rd minute Brendan McGrath secured the equaliser to force extra time where the ‘Mines cut loose to outscore their opponents 2-7 to 1-0.
Extra time was a contrast to the opening quarter as the ‘Mines were so wasteful against a Burgess side that took what opportunities that came their way with Joe O’Dwyer scoring a great goal after a minute and Conor Grace adding a point in the tenth minute.
In that period, the ‘Mines should have been ahead as Eoin Grace, Brendan McGrath, Patrick Steed, and Charlie Moran created so many chances, especially the effort from McGrath from close range but goalkeeper James O’Donoghue saved at the expense of a 45.
An Eoin Grace free opened the ‘Mines account in the fifteenth minute but Burgess were five clear for the second time after Luke Power scored in the 21st minute. Approaching half time, the ‘Mines created some more raids and were rewarded with two points from Charlie Moran with the excellent Eoin Grace adding another from a free. At half time Burgess led 1-3 to 0-3.
Silvermines started the second half in strong style with Eoin Grace finding the net to level after ten seconds. Joe O’Dwyer edged Burgess in front a minute later but the ‘Mines, led by Jack Quirke Jones and Brehon O’Donnell, were increasing the pressure and were eventually rewarded with a Brendan McGrath goal in the 39th minute.
After Patrick Steed added a point, one felt that the ‘Mines were going places, but the Burgess defence of Jack Kennedy, Keith O’Donoghue, Conor Grace, James Dillon, and Luke Power were playing with courage, and it was rewarded with two Conor Gorman points inside sixty seconds.
Ten minutes remained as Silvermines resumed territorial advantage but squandered chance after chance. Burgess, meanwhile, had the odd rally and on the hour mark John Grace stepped forward with his powerful left peg firing home what appeared a match-winning goal. However, the ‘Mines fought back and in the third minute of added time it was left to Brendan McGrath to force extra time.
The new game was twenty seconds old when Eoin Grace gave the ‘Mines the lead as both sides kicked three wides each over the next eight minutes but Eoin Grace doubled the lead three minutes before the final changeover.
After Jack Quirke Jones increased the ‘Mines lead to three in the 71st minute the resulting kickout was intercepted by full forward Conor Ryan who off-loading to Eoin Grace who scored his second goal. Seconds later Grace made it 3-10 to 2-6 before Ethan Connolly had Silvermines fourth goal. Charlie Moran added a point, but Burges received some solace when Joe O’Dwyer tucked away a penalty, a decision that seemed strange.
The goal didn’t upset the Silvermines side who now had plenty of confidence, and they added two more points through Brendan McGrath and a pointed free by Patrick Steed.
Eoin Grace was Silvermines best player with huge support coming from Brendan McGrath and John Grace. Danie McKelvey, Jack Quirke Jones, Brehon O’Donnell, Patrick Steed, Charlie Moran, and Paul Shanahan did best.
Joe O’Dwyer tried his best for Burgess with John Grace and Conor Gorman having their moments. Luke Power, James Dillon, and Keith O’Donoghue did well with Diarmuid O’Donoghue making vital saves in the goal. Burgess missed Adam Dorris through injury.
Silvermines: Oisin Ryan; Robert Ryan, Daniel McKelvey, Josh Boland; Jack Quirke Jones (0-1), Brehon O’Donnell, Mark Hoare; Patrick Steed (0-1), Charlie Moran (0-1); Eoin Grace (2-5, 0-2f), Brendan McGrath (1-2), Shane Ryan; Cathal Quigley, Conor Ryan, Paul Shanahan.
Subs: Ethan Connolly (1-0) for Quigley (42); Conor Ryan for Shanahan (19 ET); Jimmy Timmons for R Ryan (19 ET); Michael Corcoran for Hoare (19 ET)
Burgess: Diarmuid O’Donoghue; Jack Kennedy, Keith O’Donoghue, Donagh Ryan; Patrick Ryan, Conor Grace (0-1), James Dillon; Paul Callaghan, Luke Power (0-1); Aidan Kyne, Conor Gorman (0-2), John Grace (1-0); Ronan O’Sullivan, Joe O’Dwyer (2-2, 1-0 pen, 0-1f), Jack Sullivan.
Subs: Tomas Duffy for D Ryan (HT); Jamie Dorris for R O’Sullivan (HT); Charlie Cairns for P Ryan (42); Ronan O’Sullivan for Dorris (ET); Charlie Howard for J Sullivan (HT ET); Cian Hanrahan for Duffy (16 ET); Michael Ryan for Kyne (19 ET); Odhran Ryan for Cairns (19 ET).
Referee: Pat O’Mahoney (Kiladangan).