Improved ‘Mines reeled in by Moyne in stalemate

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship

Moyne-Templetuohy 1-21

Silvermines 2-18

Report: Éanna Mackey

in Drombane

A Gearóid O’Connor free deep into additional time ensured a share of the spoils between Moyne-Templetuohy and Silvermines as the sides played out a thrilling draw in Group 1 of the County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship on Sunday afternoon.

The Mid men produced a remarkable late comeback, overturning a five-point deficit with just four minutes remaining to rescue a point against a Silvermines side that finished the group stage without a win but still progress to the knockout stages via a preliminary quarter final as North champions, but outside of winning the county title outright, will be involved in a relegation battle.

Silvermines made the brighter start with Sean McGrath and Conor McKelvey finding the target inside the opening ninety seconds.

Moyne-Templetuohy responded through O’Connor, who landed two in a row before county colleague Jason Forde converted his first free for the ‘Mines.

O’Connor was beginning to find his range and completed a hat-trick of scores without reply as Moyne-Templetuohy moved 0-5 to 0-3 ahead by the quarter-hour.

Patrick Leamy and Tom Meade traded scores before Forde found the net in the nineteenth minute. The Silvermines forward rifled a close-range free to the back of the net to put the North men 1-5 to 0-7 ahead.

O’Connor responded once again to steady the Moyne-Templetuohy ship, but Silvermines soon struck for a second goal. Danny Quinn did brilliantly to create the opening for Cathal Treacy, who made no mistake from close range to stretch the lead.

Jason Forde then added a brace of points, including an outstanding effort over his shoulder, as Silvermines opened up a 2-7 to 0-7 advantage by the 24th minute.

Gearoid O’Connor continued to keep Moyne-Templetuohy within touching distance, but Danny Quinn and Forde added further scores for Silvermines.

Three minutes before half-time, Moyne-Templetuohy captain Conor Bowe, who had been forced off earlier in the half after suffering a head injury, produced a sensational solo goal to give his side renewed hope. He followed it with a point moments later to reduce the deficit to just three.

Silvermines held the upper hand for much of the third quarter although Moyne-Templetuohy began to eat into their advantage. The Mid men outscored their opponents 0-4 to 0-3 during a cagey opening to the second half with Ben Moore, Tom Meade, Bowe and O’Connor all raising white flags.

Silvermines responded through another brace from Forde and a well-taken effort from Oisin Murphy, leaving them 2-17 to 1-15 ahead with four minutes remaining.

However, Moyne-Templetuohy refused to surrender and produced a remarkable late surge, hitting five unanswered scores to level the contest deep into stoppage time.

Gearoid O’Connor was central to the comeback, completing another hat-trick of scores, while Cormac Deegan chipped in with a brace.

O’Connor then produced a moment of real composure, landing a remarkable free deep into additional time to bring the sides level with what appeared to be the final action of the game.

However, Silvermines appeared to have snatched victory in the sixth minute of stoppage time when Sean McGrath found the target, seemingly securing the North Tipperary men their first win of the year.

Yet there was still time for one final twist. O’Connor catching the resulting puckout and drew the foul from where he again held his nerve from a placed ball, converting in the seventh minute of additional time to rescue a dramatic draw for Moyne-Templetuohy and send them into the quarter finals as group winners unbeaten with one win and two draws.

Player of the Match: Gearoid O’Connor (Moyne-Templetuohy)

Moyne-Templetuohy: Paul Maher (8); Danny Moore (7), Shane Lowe (7), Kieran Larkin (7); Ben Moore (0-1, 7), Ciaran Lloyd (7), Éanna Guilfoyle (7); Padraig Gleeson (7), Paul Noonan (6); Tom Meade (0-2, 8), Conor Bowe (1-2, 8), Cormac Deegan (0-2, 8); Finn Jones (6), Gearoid O’Connor (0-13, 9f, 9), Ben Ryan (7).

Subs: Cathal Guilfoyle (6) for Nolan (45), Conor Campion (7) for Jones (48); Tristan Kelly (6) for Lowe (48).

Silvermines: Conor Murphy (7); Sean McGrath (7), Darragh Nolan (7), Luke O’Brien (7); Ronan Sherlock (6), Daniel McKelvey (6), Michael Corcoran (7); Patrick Leamy (0-1, 8), Cathal Treacy (1-0, 8); Darragh Treacy (7), Conor McKelvey (0-1, 7), Jason Forde (1-10, 6f, 9); Eddie Ryan (6), Danny Quinn (0-1, 7), Sean Nolan (0-1, 7).

Subs: Darragh McKelvey (6) for D McKelvey (36); Oisin Murphy (0-1, 7) for Leamy (55); Michael Hogan (NR) for Sherlock (60).

Referee: Phil Ryan (Knockavilla-D Kickhams).