Quinn inspires Silvermines to North Minor 'B' glory

GAA: North Tipperary Minor ‘B’ Hurling Championship Final

Silvermines 4-12

Moneygall-Clonakenny 1-14

Report: Michael Brophy in Nenagh

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Danny Quinn (Silvermines)

SCORERS – Silvermines: Danny Quinn 2-5; Sean Nolan, Conor McGrath 1-0 each; Darragh Treacy (frees), Cathal Treacy 0-2 each; Sean McGrath, Ronan Cunneen, Eoin Grace 0-1.

Moneygall/Clonakenny: Eoin Doughan 0-8 (7 frees); Dylan McCormack 1-1; Cian Ryan (free), Cormac Hoolan, Oisin O’Dwyer, Tadhg Whyte, Shay Gleeson 0-1 each.

Two goals in each half for Silvermines were vital as they overcame Moneygall-Clonakenny in a highly skilful and fast-paced North Tipperary Minor ‘B’ Hurling Final on Monday.

Fifteen players got on the scoresheet on the evening, with both teams displaying an array of attacking talent in a contest that was contested vigorously but fairly.

Silvermines hit the front late in the first half but Moneygall-Clonakenny were unable to pull level with them for the remainder of the game. When Conor McGrath pulled the ball to the net for Silvermines fourth goal in the final minute of normal time, they pushed six points clear and wouldn’t be caught.

Danny Quinn top scored for Silvermines with an impressive 2-5 from play, and he was benefiting throughout the game from excellent service further down the field. The scores dried up for Moneygall-Clonakenny in the middle of the second half, and Silvermines built a cushion during that period which wouldn’t be surmounted.

The amalgamation had the better of the opening stages, leading 0-5 to 0-3 after the first quarter. Four of their forwards - Cormac Hoolan, Eoin Doughan, Oisin O’Dwyer and Shay Gleeson - picked off classy scores in that period, while Silvermines were slowly finding their feet.

Danny Quinn scored his first point to close the gap to a point before the first goal of the game. When Darragh Treacy’s long-range strike for Silvermines dipped below Paddy McCormack’s crossbar, he batted the ball away but only into the path of Sean Nolan who pulled the ball to the net.

That was quickly followed by a point from Ronan Cunneen, but Moneygall-Clonakenny responded well. Frees from Cian Ryan and Doughan were followed by a goal of their own. Tadhg Whyte turned his marker beautifully before passing across to Dylan McCormack who finished the ball to the net.

Silvermines would hit 1-4 without reply, however, to close out the half. Darragh Treacy and Sean McGrath scored from long range while Danny Quinn picked off two more classy scores. Then in injury time, Quinn latched onto breaking ball before striking a powerful low shot past McCormack. It would be the final action of the half and gave the ‘Mines a 2-9 to 1-8 lead.

Accuracy deserted Silvermines after the interval, and their wides were punished by three Moneygall-Clonakenny points from McCormack, Whyte and Doughan. The ‘Mines responded with a quick-fire brace from Cathal Treacy and Quinn, before Tadhg Whyte saw his goal bound effort saved well by the Silvermines rear-guard.

In the 48th minute, Silvermines doubled their lead from three to six points when Quinn turned his marker and shot low to the net past a somewhat unsighted Paddy McCormack.

The Silvermines defence was starting to get on top, led by William Murphy, Daniel McKelvey, and Sean McGrath. Moneygall-Clonakenny were becoming limited to frees, three of which were converted by Doughan to close the gap back to three points in the closing stages.

When Danny Quinn’s effort at claiming a hat-trick was thwarted well by Paddy McCormack, Conor McGrath was first to respond and pulled the ball into the net from close range. The amalgamation tried their best to recover, but it was apt that Quinn would have the final say when his powerful pulled shot from 21 metres flew over the bar.

Moneygall-Clonakenny left it all on the field, with Cian Ryan and Andy Hoolan in particular producing excellent displays to complement a forward line that was consistently sharp and threatening.

Silvermines had that little bit extra over the sixty minutes, and they’ll fancy their chances of claiming a County title in the weeks ahead, but Moneygall/Clonakenny will aim to rebound in the county quarter finals.

TEAMS - Silvermines: Liam Grace; Luke O’Connor, William Murphy, Daniel McKelvey; Sean Murphy, Sean McGrath, Ben Claffey; Darragh Treacy, Conor McGrath; Ronan Cunneen, Cathal Treacy, Michael Young; Eoin Grace, Danny Quinn, Sean Nolan.

Subs: Brehon O’Donnell for Claffey (35); Patrick Steed for Young (51); Billy Shanahan for Cunneen (60+2).

Moneygall-Clonakenny: Paddy McCormack; Cormac Murray, Joe Stapleton, Patrick Sheedy; Sean Stapleton, Cian Ryan, Stephen King; Andy Hoolan, Cillian Toohey; Cormac Hoolan, Oisin O’Dwyer, Eoin Doughan; Tadhg Whyte, Shay Gleeson, Dylan McCormack.

Subs: Andy O’Brien for Toohey (47); zBrian Toohey for King (60+1); Darren Ryan for Dylan McCormack (60+2).

Referee: Pat O’Mahony (Kiladangan).