Resilient Silvermines overcome Swan to stay up

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Relegation Semi-Final

Silvermines 1-21

Carrick Swan 1-19

Report: James Hayden at Pairc Ciocum, Dundrum

Silvermines produced a hugely determined performance to overcome Carrick Swan to secure their Premier Intermediate status following a tense relegation semi-final on Sunday.

The reigning North champions were bidding to avoid a relegation trapdoor decider against neighbours Templederry Kenyons and, from the very outset, there was a steely resolve about them.

Despite the pre-match loss of full-forward Danny Quinn through injury, Silvermines fielded a strong side and, with talismanic marksman Jason Forde in outstanding scoring form, they always posed a significant threat to their South opponents.

Forde was once again the difference, finishing with 1-13, including 1-11 from placed balls. His accuracy, allied to a superb defensive effort from the ‘Mines and some outstanding late saves from goalkeeper Conor Murphy, ultimately ensured they escaped the relegation trapdoor.

Carrick Swan battled magnificently throughout and came agonisingly close to snatching victory at the death. Had it not been for Murphy’s goalkeeping heroics, the Swan could well have rescued the game from the jaws of defeat.

The South side made the brighter start with Aaron Dunne and Jason Holloway pointing. Forde responded with a free before Patrick Leamy quickly followed with another score to restore parity.

Callum Lanigan, who was Carrick Swan’s principal scoring threat throughout, then fired over a long-range free on ten minutes to put them back in front. However, Silvermines began to settle and successive scores from the impressive Leamy and Sean Nolan edged the North champions into the ascendancy once again.

The decisive moment of the half arrived in the 14th minute when Silvermines were awarded a penalty after Conor McKelvey was pulled down by Swan full-back Scott Hogan. Forde made no mistake from the spot, 1-5 to 0-4.

Lanigan and Dunne responded for the Swan before Forde produced a fine score on the run to keep Silvermines in front.

The opening half was characterised by a stop-start nature with both sides heavily reliant on their free-takers. A 26th-minute point from Aaron O’Halloran, followed a minute later by a Callum Walsh effort, reduced the deficit to the minimum. Jason Forde, however, remained unerring from placed balls and two further frees ensured Silvermines went to the dressing room with a deserved three-point advantage, 1-10 to 0-10.

Silvermines were dealt a major blow just five minutes into the second half when Darragh Nolan was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Rather than buckle under the pressure of being reduced to fourteen men, however, the ‘Mines responded magnificently. The loss of their full-back appeared to galvanise the North champions as Forde struck twice from placed balls before Andy Hayden also found the target, opening up a four-point advantage.

Conor McKelvey then added a superb, angled point from near the sideline, keeping the scoreboard moving as Carrick struggled to match their intensity.

Lanigan and Forde exchanged frees before Patrick Leamy restored a five-point advantage for Silvermines with his third point in the 52nd minute.

Carrick Swan refused to capitulate, however, and Lanigan and Aaron O’Halloran reduced the deficit to three points as the clock ticked towards the final stages.

Then, in the 58th minute, Silvermines midfielder Eddie Ryan produced a booming effort from distance to give his side some much-needed breathing space.

But there was still one final twist. With full-time approaching, Carrick Swan were handed a lifeline when Lanigan produced a superb first-time finish to the net and reduce the deficit to just two points.

Suddenly, the pressure was back on Silvermines. As the clock ticked into added time, Carrick Swan fashioned one final opportunity when Eric & Aaron O’Halloran combining cleverly to create an opening. Eric got his shot away but Silvermines goalkeeper Conor Murphy stood tall, producing a crucial save to scoop the sliotar to safety. It was a fitting conclusion to a performance built on resilience from the North champions.

The victory allows Silvermines to finish their campaign on a high and, while their North title represents a welcome achievement, they will reflect on a season which perhaps promised more.

For Carrick Swan, meanwhile, the defeat means they must now face into a relegation final with Templederry Kenyons, with Premier Intermediate survival the ultimate prize.

Player of the Match: Jason Forde (Silvermines).

Silvermines: Conor Murphy (8); Darragh Treacy (8), Darragh Nolan (7), Cathal Treacy (8); Ronan Sherlock (8), Luke O’Brien (7), Daniel McKelvey (7); Patrick Leamy (0-3, 8), Eddie Ryan (0-1, 7); Michael Corcoran (Capt), Jason Forde (1-13, 1-0 pen, 0-11f, 8), Sean Nolan (0-2, 7); Conor McKelvey (0-1, 7), Andy Hayden (0-1, 7), Sean McGrath (7).

Subs: Oisin Murphy (7) for S Nolan (41); Michéal Hogan (6) for D McKelvey (51); Sean Spillane (NR) for Hayden (57).

Carrick Swan: Adam Kerwick (7); Luke O’Dwyer (7), Scott Hogan (7), Dean Kiely (7); Ben Mulcaire (0-1, 7), Gavin O’Halloran (7), Jack Murphy (7); Aaron O’Halloran (0-2, 7), Sean Foley (0-1, 7); Jamie Holloway (0-1, 7), Callum Lanigan (1-11, 0-8f, 8), Eric O’Halloran (7); Stefan Tobin (7), Aaron Dunne (Capt, 0-2, 7), Callum Walsh (0-1, 7).

Subs: Aidan Hanlon (6) for Kiely (51); Colin Loughman (6) for Foley (54); Darragh Dunne (6) for Dunne (54).

Referee: Paddy Russell (Emly).