Silvermines complete North ‘B’ double

North Tipperary Under 15 'B' Hurling Championship Final

Silvermines 2-12

Burgess 1-14

Report: Liam Hogan in Borrisoleigh

Two excellent teams produced hurling that defied the miserable weather, and in the end, Silvermines came out the winners in a very exciting and at times excellent North Tipperary Under 15 ‘B’ Hurling final last Tuesday.

In a repeat of the under 15 ‘B’ Football final, which Silvermines won, they were favourites again and they started with flare.

After conceding a Joe O’Dwyer point in the second minute, the wind-assisted ‘Mines stormed down the field in the guise of a brilliant Eoin Grace solo run before finding an unmarked Paul Shanahan on the edge of the small square finding the net.

Burgess replied with a Paul Cahalan free but in the seventh minute full forward Conor Ryan fielded a high delivery from Dan McKelvey before blasting low to the net.

With Paul Cahalan excellent on frees, Burgess fought back and were two in arrears by the 23rd minute, 2-2 to 0-6. Both sides missed goal chances, Paul Cahalan missing a simple tap in after a great run off the ball while Patrick Steed hit the crossbar at the other end but with the help of two Conor Ryan frees, the ‘Mines led 2-6 to 0-7 lead at the break.

Wind assisted, Burgess took charge of the opening minutes of the second half and with a brilliant John Grace goal in the 40th minute, the margin was down to two, 2-7 to 1-8.

With excitement levels on the increase, Burgess continued to dominate and ten minutes later the sides were 1-11 to 2-8 after Ronan O’Sullivan scored. Seconds later, he had to leave the field with a calf muscle injury.

Shane Ryan (who scored four points) replied to give the ‘Mines the lead but two Joe O’Dwyer points had Burgess in front with five minutes remaining.

But Silvermines regrouped and two Shane Ryan points, either side of a Dan McKelvey free had their side two in front.

At the other end, Burgess went for goal, but Jimmy Timmons saved and with play called back it was left to an injury time free by Joe O’Dwyer. Injury time stretched to four and a half minutes but neither side scored and Silvermines held out for a merited win.

As well as mentioning Shane Ryan, Paul Shanahan, and Conor Ryan, Silvermines can also thank Josh Boland, Dan McKelvey, and the stylish Charlie Moran in defence. Brendan McGrath caught the eye also.

Burgess missed the excellent Conor Grace due injury but Jack Kennedy, Keith O’Donoghue, Adam Dorris plus Luke Power were prominent, and in attack in Paul Cahalan,Joe O’Dwyer and John Grace.

Player of the Match: Shane Ryan (Silvermines).

Silvermines: Jimmy Timmons; Cathal Quigley, Brehon O’Donnell (Capt), Josh Boland; Charlie Moran, Daniel McKelvey (0-3, 2f, 1’65), Mark Hoare; Patrick Steed, James Quirke Jones; Eoin Grace, Brendan McGrath (0-1), Shane Ryan (0-4); Paul Shanahan (1-0), Conor Ryan (1-4, 0-4f), Shaun Kennedy.

Sub: Conor Ryan for Quigley (43).

Burgess: Diarmuid O’Donoghue; Jack Kennedy, Keith O’Donoghue, Thomas Duffy; James Dillon, Adam Dorris, Jack O’Sullivan; John Grace (1-0), Luke Power; Paul Cahalan (0-7f), Ronan O’Sullivan (0-1), Conor Gorman; Joe O’Dwyer (0-6, 2f), Jamie Dorris, Padraig Ryan. Sub: Charlie Cairns for O’Sullivan (53 inj).

Referee: Christy McLoughlin (Nenagh Eire Og).

P.S. It was a pity that this game was played under lights. Some players mentioned difficulty in seeing the ball once it was at a certain height. Silvermines were in a difficult position as they toyed with the prospect of reaching a county minor final which would involve some under 15 players so the above game was fixed rather than put it of until the minor grade was over. With the evenings closing in its difficult for fixture committees to suit everybody as we reach the autumn end of the year.