Forde fires Silvermines to safety

GAA: FBD Insurance County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 3

Silvermines ...........................3-12

Newport ................................1-16

Report: Liam Hogan in Templederry

Cometh the hour, cometh the man as Jason Forde produced another heroic play as his injury time goal won the day for Silvermines who secured their Premier Intermediate status while sending Newport to another relegation battle in an exciting finish to this group 3 encounter on Saturday.

The win sends Silvermines into a winter of content now that their stay in the second tier is safe. Newport, meanwhile, will question themselves as to how they didn’t hold on to their lead after Tommy Floyd scored what we all thought the winning goal.

They will also question how Silvermines forward Oisin Murphy remained on the field after what they suggest was a second yellow card offence in the minutes approaching half time. They said he was booked earlier, but this reporter does not recall a yellow card, however, video-analysts close by suggested he did receive a yellow when they reviewed the footage at half time. It's immaterial as Newport must journey relegation territory for the third year in a row.

There was never more than two points separating the teams in the opening twenty minutes. Silvermines scored first through Oisin Murphy before Cian Flanagan levelled.

Flanagan was Newport’s best player, and his deliveries gave his side the slight advantage but scoring chances were few as the Mulcaire men had to depend on Conor O’Mahony who picked off three good points from play while Colin Floyd scored three placed balls to make it 0-7 to 0-5 after 21 minutes.

Up to then Jason Forde was enjoying great freedom as sweeper as he made many clearances, one of which found Niall Curran who was fouled in the square, a penalty resulted but Forde’s shot was saved by Paul Hogan.

Newport were relieved but still found themselves under more pressure as the ‘Mines began to find their feet with Forde frees with one each from Conor McKelvey and Niall Curran.

The Silvermines defence were doing well with Ronan Sherlock, Conor McKelvey and Darragh Nolan prominent and Nolan’s well-taken point narrowed the gap to one in the 26th minute but with Cian Flanagan continuing to excel for Newport, the lead increased to three after Andrew Hickey and Pa Ryan split the posts.

Michael Corcoran was another Silvermines player to shine and his point in the 29th minute brought his side within two. Silvermines next foray led to a timely goal when Mark Daniels pounced on a poor clearance to goal from twenty-five metres leaving the ‘Mines 1-7 to 0-9 in front at the break.

Silvermines had the breeze in the second half and increased their lead through Orrie Quirke. Newport replied with points through Colin Floyd and Oran Connors to restore parity for the third time before Pa Leamy edged the ‘Mines in front in the 37th minute.

As both sides threaded carefully, the game opened up in the 42nd minute when Andy Hayden pounced on a loose ball and had Paul Hogan beaten.

Newport responded through two Colin Floyd frees but the ‘Mines were able to keep their head above water as a Jason Forde free made it 2-10 to 0-13 after Conor McKelvey was fouled near halfway. They had further chances to increase their lead, but their wides reached nine and Newport soon took advantage as three Colin Floyd frees had them level, 2-10 to 0-16, with two minutes remaining.

Michel Corcoran’s influence continued, and his delivery found Jason Forde who moved the ‘Mines in front. Newport responded with purpose as Cian Flanagan’s high delivery dropped to Oran Connors who forced David Shanahan to save, but sub Tommy Floyd fired home the rebound for what looked like the winner.

Five minutes of added time were signalled, and the drama continued with Newport under pressure as Jason Forde pointed a free.

Michael Corcoran was to the fore again as the ‘Mines went in search of a winner, and they could hardly believe their eyes when Forde was fouled outside the square.

The crowd watched as the Tipp star went for power and found the back of the Newport net for what proved to be the match winner as the Mines ended their season on a high.

Player of the Match: Michael Corcoran (Silvermines)

Silvermines: David Shanahan (7); Eddie Ryan (0-1, 7), Ronan Sherlock (7), Darragh Nolan (7); Michael Hogan, Conal McKelvey (0-1, 7), Noel Quirke (7); Orrie Quirke (7), Patrick Leamy (0-2, 7); Mark Daniels (1-0, 7), Michael Corcoran (8), Oisin Murphy (6); Jason Forde (1-8, 1-0 pen, 7f, 1 s-cut 7), Niall Curran (6), Danny Quinn (6).

Subs: Andy Hayden (1-0, 7) for Quinn (26); Willie Keogh (6) for Murphy (32); Cathal Treacy (6) for Hayden (45); Daniel Keogh (NR) for Leamy (55 inj); Darragh McKelvey (NR) for Curran (59).

Newport: Paul Hogan (7); Conor Hickey (7), Sean O’Brien (7), Andrew Hickey (0-1, 7); Oisin O’Brien (6), Conor Floyd (6), Aidan Moloney (6); Peter O’Sullivan (7), Cian Flanagan (0-2, 8); Keelan Floyd (0-1, 6), Conor O’Mahony (0-3, 7), Pa Ryan (0-1, 6); Oran Connors (0-1, 6), Aaron O’Neill (6), Colin Floyd (0-7, 5f, 1’65, 7).

Subs: Mike Quigley (6) for O’Sullivan (29 inj); Tommy Floyd (1-0, 7) for O’Neill (42); Daniel Ryan (6) for P Ryan (51); Rob Houlihan (6) for A Hickey (52); Lee Ryan (NR) for K Floyd (55).

Referee: Seamus Delaney (JK Brackens).