Silvermines survive as Duharra are down to their last life

CAMOGIE: Tipperary Senior Relegation Semi-Final

Silvermines 2-17

Burgess/Duharra 0-12

Report: Joe Scully at MacDonagh Park, Nenagh

In the end it was as comfortable as the eleven point winning margin suggests as Silvermines retained their place in the senior ranks for 2027, with Burgess/Duharra now having just one more opportunity to avoid being relegated.

In this relegation semi-final on Saturday, Silvermines were just too good all over the field for a Burgess/Duharra side who could not get any sort of momentum going as the superior work-rate of the ‘Mines from 1 to 15 made the difference as the former eight times champions were not allowed any time on the ball.

Sarah Madden, playing as the sweeper for the ‘Mines, was outstanding, as she seemed to be a magnet to the ball, while up the other end, Brid Quinn was impeccable on the frees from all distances, and was ably supported by Maeve & Niamh Cunneen, while for Burgess/Duharra Tara & Amy Kennedy shone.

Quinn opened the scoring with a free in the third minute, but Burgess responded well and excellent points from play by the Kennedy sisters had them ahead by the sixth minute.

Another Quinn free had the sides level before Aoife Ryan, while on an advantage, fired the ‘Mines back ahead from close range. A Jenny Grace free in the 12th minute levelled proceedings again, before the games first major turning point came three minutes later when a Brid Quinn free from around 45 metres dropped short and bounced in front of goal and found its way to the back of the net.

Burgess would go straight up the pitch and Amy Kennedy responded with a point from out wide, but this would be their last point from play in the game. Brid Quinn then added to her tally, her first from play, with Aisling Carey extending the lead shortly after good build up play.

Two Jenny Grace frees had the score at 1-5 to 0-6 in the 22nd minute, but points in quick succession from Carey and Maeve Cunneen had the gap out to four. Quinn then added another free, before a Jenny Grace ‘45 in added time was the last score of the half as the ‘Mines led by four at the break.

Brid Quinn added two more frees in the opening six minutes of the second half to extend the lead further, and then in the 39th minute the game was effectively put to bed by a superb Ellen Cunneen goal as she ran through the heart of the defence before releasing a bullet of a shot to the net from all of thirty metres.

Another Brid Quinn free was sandwiched in between two Jenny Grace frees, before Ellen Cunneen again found the target, this time with a superb point from the wing.

Then it became a free shoot-out between Grace and Quinn as the two exchanged six placed balls between them between the 50th & 63rd minutes.

There was still time for one more score for the ‘Mines in the 65th minute when Niamh Cunneen pointed from way out the field with the last puck of the game and of their year, as they confirmed their safety, whereas for Burgess/Duharra they have one more game to go, to try and keep themselves in the senior ranks again.

Player of the Match: Brid Quinn (Silvermines)

Silvermines: Elaine Murphy (6); Ava Quigley (6), Miriam Murphy (7), Grace Quinn (7); Jane Ryan (6), Eimear Murphy (7), Kellie O’Dwyer (6); Niamh Cunneen (0-1, 8), Ellen Cunneen (1-1, 8), Maeve Cunneen (0-1, 7), Brid Quinn (1-11, 1-10f, 9), Ciara Ryan (7); Sarah Madden (8), Aisling Carey (0-2, 7), Aoife Ryan (0-1, 7).

Subs: Emer Tuohy (6) for A Ryan (48); Nessa Murray (6) for M Cunneen (50); Maria Moroney (NR) for Carey (60+1)

Burgess/Duharra: Ciara Holihan (6); Lucy Slattery (6), Gemma Kaden (7), Ella Slattery (7); Malwina Dziewiatka (6), Katie Grace (6), Kara O’Connell (6); Kaitlin Halloran (6), Roisin Duffy (6); Lily Duffy (6), Jenny Grace (0-9f, 7), Tara Kennedy (0-1, 7), Ciara McKeogh (6), Caoilfhionn Maher (6), Amy Kennedy (0-2, 7).

Subs: Danielle Nealon (6) for Dziewiatka (35); Amy O’Dwyer (6) for Maher (46); Ruby Power (NR) for Duffy (60+1).

Referee: Tom McClinchy (Newport/Ballinahinch).