Silvermines ease into second successive Junior 'B' Hurling decider

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

Silvermines 2-19

Carrick Swan 0-12

Report: James Hayden in Golden

Silvermines eased into their second successive County Junior ‘B’ Hurling final with a comprehensive thirteen-point victory over a below par Carrick Swan on Saturday afternoon.

Playing with the aid of a bitingly cold breeze Silvermines laid the foundations for victory with a dominant opening half performance, a performance that ensured they led 1-11 to 0-3 at the break.

The South champions came into this encounter without their suspended centre-back, Jamie Ward while the ‘Mines were minus the services of Patrick Steed, Niall Curran and Daniel Keogh.

From the very get-go Silvermines seized the initiative with points from Willie Keogh, Ronan Cunneen and Orrie Quirke firing Sean Quirke’s charges into an early three-point advantage.

Carrick Swan failed to settle with four early wides hampering their efforts before Stephen Hahessy finally opened their account with a well-struck fourteenth minute point.

Ronan Cunneen responded with a 65 before Ciaran Timmons arrowed over a sublime effort from way out the field to further embellish Silvermines advantage.

Sean Spillane brought the best out of James Waters with a 16th minute effort from close-range before further points from Cathal Gleeson and Sean Spillane ensured the ‘Mines led 0-7 to 0-1 with nearly twenty minutes elapsed.

Jack Kelly arrowed over a close-range free in response before Sean Spillane broke through the Swan cover again on 22 minutes, and on this occasion his low drilled effort found its way into the back of the net.

Further points from Willie Keogh and Ronan Cunneen (free) increased Silvermines' advantage before Eamon Corcoran popped over a neat effort from close range on the cusp of half-time to fire the ‘Mines eleven points clear.

Ronan Cunneen added a sweetly struck free in time added on before Carrick Swan’s Jack Kelly converted a close-range free, the third point for the South champions, to see them trail by eleven points at the break.

Credit to Frankie Nolan’s side they failed to thoroughly capitulate and emerged determined to put in a determined second half performance.

Silvermines emerged all guns blazing once again though with points from Willie Keogh and Ronan Cunneen adding to their tally before two frees from Jack Kelly coupled with an Evan Hogan effort from range served to reduce the deficit.

Kelly added two further frees mid-way through the half without response to add further respectability to the scoreline, 0-8 to 1-15.

Ronan Cunneen retorted with a 47th minute free before an incisive Orrie Quirke delivery found Ronan Cunneen in space who flicked the sliotar neatly before gathering well and arrowing over an impressive point to put further daylight between the sides.

Jack Kelly and Stephen Hahessy responded with points for the Swan before the ‘Mines decided to run their bench as the game trundled towards its inevitable conclusion. Substitute, Gerard Leamy was dragged to the ground for a 60th minute penalty. Orrie Quirke stepped up and fired his effort just over the crossbar.

The Swan were then reduced to fourteen after Darren Waters received a straight red following an off the ball altercation.

Gerard Leamy popped over a lovely point before Stephen Hahessy, who was impressive throughout for the Swan, arrowed over his third point from play in the 63rd minute before Leamy raided again and rattled the Swan net with a fine strike on 64 minutes for his side’s second goal, one that copper-fastened a thoroughly deserved Silvermines victory and also ensured the North champions march on into this year’s county decider and a hugely anticipated meeting with Thurles Sarsfields.

Impressive for Silvermines were Ben Claffey, Tiernan Flynn, Eoin Seymour, Sean Spillane, Orrie Quirke, Willie Keogh, Michael Hogan, Ciaran Timmons and Ronan Cunneen while Stephen Hahessy, Jack Kelly and Evan Hogan caught the eye for the South champions.

Player of the Match: Ronan Cunneen (Silvermines)

Silvermines: David Shanahan (7); Ben Claffey (8), Eddie Ryan (Capt, 7), Tiernan Flynn (7); Michael Hogan (7), Cathal Gleeson (0-1, 7), Sean Murphy (7); Eoin Seymour (7), Orrie Quirke (0-3, 1 pen, 7); Sean Spillane (1-1, 7), Willie Keogh (0-3, 8), Ciaran Timmons (0-1, 7); Ronan Cunneen (0-8, 3f, 1 65’, 8), Eamon Corcoran (0-1, 7), Daniel Ryan (7).

Subs: Brian Leamy (7) for Gleeson (45); Gerard Leamy (1-1, 8) for Corcoran (53); Fionn Ryan Mulqueen (6) for Ryan (53); Sean Ryan Prendiville (NR) for Murphy (56); Kieran Fogarty (NR) for Hogan (59).

Carrick Swan: James Waters (7); Ryan Kerwick (6), Darren Murphy (7), Sean Walsh (6); Dwayne Fogarty (7), Stephen Hahessy (0-3, 7), John Walsh (7); Alan Walsh (Capt, 7), Daniel Walsh (7); Warren Fleming (7), Rowland Fitzpatrick (7), Jack Kelly (0-8, 7f, 1 65’, 7); Evan Hogan (0-1, 6), Darren Waters (6), David Walsh (6).

Subs: Bobby Coady (6) for Fleming (HT); James Bourke (6) for Walsh (40); Warren Fleming (6) for Hogan (53).

Referee: PJ Nolan (Killea).