Silvermines wrestle the Devaney Cup from Ballina
GAA: Liam Buckley Car Sales North Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Final
Silvermines 1-18
Ballina 0-16
Report: Liam Hogan at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh
MATCH DIGEST
Player of the Match: Michael Corcoran (Silvermines).
SCORERS – Silvermines: Jason Forde 0-10 (5 frees, 1’65, 1 s-cut); Danny Quinn 1-1; Patrick Leamy, Conor McKelvey, Sean Nolan 0-2 each; Michael Corcoran 0-1.
Ballina: Matthew Power 0-6 (4 frees, 1 s-cut); Josh Egan, Steven O’Brien, Paddy Bradley 0-2 each; Thomas Shanahan, Luke McKeogh, Billy Collins, Charlie King 0-1 each.
Silvermines claimed the North Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling title for the first time when they dethroned Ballina in an exciting tussle played in blistering conditions on Sunday.
Full credit to both teams who gave it their all in a contest that had moments of good hurling mixed with some errors, but was very much in the balance until Danny Quinn’s goal in the 54th minute gave Silvermines the breathing space as they held of a brave Ballina effort.
Fresh air was at a premium but no player would wilt and they welcomed any break. many because of the number of lineballs brought about by the rock hard surface which saw the ball take off on impact.
Having lost to Burgess in the 2024 final, this win for Silvermines was sweet. Recent underage success was the bedrock as this young team, with a North U21 ‘B’ title in 2023 in their CV and reaching last year’s North U21 ‘A’ final an added bonus.
It was a savoured win too clearly shown by joyous scenes after the game. It was also a special day for team captain Michael Corcoran. In a truly the man of the match performance, this great display came almost exactly twelve months to the day when the Silvermines defender suffered a cruciate knee injury training with Tipperary a week before the All-Ireland final.
Corcoran received great assistance from Luke O’Brien, Darragh Nolan, and Sean McGrath in front of an assured Conor Murphy in goal. Patrick Leamy excelled at midfield while Andy Hayden, Conor McKelvey, Sean Nolan, and Danny Quinn caught the eye with Jason Forde producing many valuable scores.
Holders Ballina were great champions but truth be told, their injury list hampered their preparation with Zac Egan, Mike Grace, Charlie King, and Jack Collins tremendous losses. Both Egan and King did make their appearances but Collins loss was the most keenly felt and led to some positional changes which upset the balance of the team.
In adding to their woes, full forward Josh Egan limped off with an ankle injury in the 25th minute.
Whats more, the ‘Mines defence were touch tight and the likes of Luke McKeogh, Matthew Power, Billy Collins and Paddy Bradley didn’t get the same freedom as happened in the semi final win over Lorrha.
Despite the setbacks, there was much to admire with the displays of Michael Breen, Patrick O’Donovan, Terry O’Halloran, and James Hanley. Thomas Shanahan did his best at midfield with Steven O’Brien the pick of the attack. Josh Egan was a danger while on the field of play.
The Game
Silvermines played with the help of an ever-strengthening breeze in the first half. Points by Josh Egan and Steven O’Brien were matched by white flags from Conor McKelvey and Sean Nolan inside the opening three minutes.
A brilliant point by Matthew Power gave Ballina the lead which doubled in the ninth minute after Power added a close range free.
Silvermines had chances but their wides count reached four by the 13th minute before matters settled with two points through Pa Leamy and Jason Forde from a free.
The pace quickened and by the eighteenth minute the ‘Mines had a three point advantage with Jason Forde scoring from play close to the sideline followed by a second Leamy point before Forde added a free.
There was a quick response from Josh Egan before Michael Corcoran scored long range in the 21st minute.
Ballina then lost Josh Egan with Charlie King replacing him before a brilliant Forde free had the margin out to four.
Ballina needed a remedy and quick scores by O’Brien and a splendid sideline ball by Matthew Power had the deficit back at two.
The scores continued to be frequent and the ‘Mines increased their lead to four thanks to the accuracy of Conor McKelvey and Sean Nolan.
Paddy Bradley replied to keep Ballina in touch but deep into added time Forde scored a brilliant sideline ball to see the teams heading to the coolness of the dressing rooms and his side leading 0-12 to 0-8.
The opening seven minutes of the second half provided action at both ends. Jason Forde increased his team’s lead with a 65 in the first minute. Ballina were quick to respond but Luke O’Brien was brave when throwing his body on the line in a crowded goal area.
The scores kept coming as Paddy Bradley was matched by Jason Forde in similar fashion. At the other end, Tom Shanahan scored with an assist by Steven O’Brien but Jason Forde had the ‘Mines five in front with a great score from the left wing.
In response, the Ballina puckout by Simon Grace resulted in Luke McKeogh finding space to score. Ballina came once more and in the 41st minute they had the deficit reduced to three when Billy Collins had his effort tipped over by goalkeeper Conor Murphy.
One minute later, the ‘Mines were four in front again when Jason Forde pointed a free after a foul on Sean Nolan.
Ballina continued to force the pressure but the Silvermines defence gave little away and as a result the scoring frequency reduced with Ballina’s persistence leading to three points, two frees by Matthew Power followed by Charlie King from play to leave one point separating the teams. It was all to play for.
The scoring rate had dropped dramatically as the players tired with the number of wides on the increase due to sound defending with Michael Corcoran and Leamy to the fore for the challengers while Michael Breen, James Hanley and Sam Loughran were doing their part for the holders.
With the game in the balance, a goal would surely be a match winner and in the 54th minute it arrived. Jason Forde’s quick delivery from the 45 reached sub Oisin Murphy on the edge of the small square. In an instant, he neatly laid off the ball to the supporting Danny Quinn and the full forward gave Simon Grace no chance from close range.
Both sides were off target over the next four minutes before Quinn increased the lead for the champions-elect on the hour mark.
The fourth official signalled three minutes of added time as Matthew Power reduced the margin with a free but it was not enough and in the 61st minute Jason Forde scored up his tenth point to seal victory.
TEAMS - Silvermines: Conor Murphy (7); Sean McGrath (8), Darragh Nolan (8), Darragh Treacy (7); Luke O’Brien (7), Darragh McKelvey (7), Michael Corcoran (Capt, 8); Patrick Leamy (8), Cathal Treacy (7); Sean Nolan (7), Conor McKelvey (7), Jason Forde (8); Andy Hayden (7), Danny Quinn (8), Eoin Grace (7).
Subs: Daniel McKelvey for Treacy (24-26 blood); Oisin Murphy (7) for Grace (48); Padraig Fogarty (6) for Hayden (48); Daniel McKelvey (6) for D McKelvey (51 inj); Ronan Sherlock (NR) for Leamy (60).
Ballina: Simon Grace (7); Paul McKeogh (7), David Coughlan (7), Patrick O’Donovan (7); Terry O’Halloran (7), Michael Breen (7), James Hanley (7); Thomas Shanahan (7), Billy Collins (7); Paddy Bradley (6), Enda Tormey (6), Steven O’Brien (8); Luke Mckeogh (6), Josh Egan (6), Matthew Power (6).
Subs: Charlie King (6) for Egan (22 inj); Sam Loughran (7) for Tormey (48); Cian Donnelly (6) for O’Halloran (55); David Grace (6) for Bradley (55).
Referee: Alan Tierney (Shannon Rovers).