Silvermines undone in added time

GAA: FBD Insurance County Under 19 'B' Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Eire Og Annacarty/Sean Treacys 4-13

Silvermines 2-18

Report: Liam Hogan in Holycross

Colm Kenndy’s point two minutes into injury time helped Eire Og Annacarty/Sean Treacys to an exciting victory over Silvermines in the County Under 19 ‘B’ Hurling semi-final on Saturday afternoon.

In a splendid contest, the West champions trailed by three points after Danny Quinn’s goal in the 60th minute seemed to put Silvermines in a winning position. But in a game which was played a frantic pace from first whistle to last, it had one last piece of drama and Eire Og’s response was a brilliant ground shot by Darragh Kelly which had the combo back level before Colm Kennedy scored the winner.

It was a great win for the West champions but spare a thought for Silvermines who looked well-beaten after 35 minutes when they trailed by seven points but threw off the shackles to almost win the contest.

Sean McGrath was their best on view with Luke O’Neill offering another good day while Cynan Bailey and Cathal Treacy led a good fight for a forward line where five of the staring six got on the scoresheet.

There was never more than two points between the teams in the opening quarter and by the fifteenth minute scores were level at 0-5 each.

Eire Og/Treacys led for most of that period and should have had a greater advantage but struck five wides in as many minutes. What they did score came from the impressive Darragh Kelly with two points (1 free) while Larry Collins, Colm Kennedy and James Butler also scored.

Cynan Bailey was the ‘Mines top scorer so far with two points while Darragh Treacy, Sean Nolan (free) plus Michael Young from play. Young was a starter for David Ryan who failed to line out due to an injury he picked up in the North final win over Kiladangan.

Ronan Cunneen gave the ‘Mines the lead for the first time in the sixteenth minute and Danny Quinn extended the lead two minutes later.

A super point by Darragh Kelly cut the margin as Eire Og/Treacys enjoyed prominence but the wides increased to nine. Yet, they continued to press with Darragh Kelly’s 23rd minute free bringing them level which was quickly followed by a Daniel Kelly score.

But the ‘Mines were level after Darragh Treacy scored and approaching half time and it looked as if matters would stay the same until Daniel Kelly pushed forward before finding Darragh Kelly who scored a goal to give Eire Og /Treacys a one goal lead at half time, 1-8 to 0-8.

The second half was just a minute old when Darragh Kelly had increased Eire Og/Sean Treacy’s lead and the margin would increase as two minutes later Larry Collins was first to make best of a long range free by Colm Kenney as the former found the net.

Trailing by seven points Silvermines looked in trouble, but they pushed back. Darragh Treacy’s point was the start. Daniel Kelly replied for Treacys before points by Ronan Cunneen and Sean Nolan from a free left the ‘Mines five in arrears after 44 minutes.

Larry Collins moved Eire Og/Sean Treacys six clear, but the Silvermines graph was rising and further points by James Butler and Conor McGrath plus a 65 by Sean Nolan had the margin down to three with nine minutes remaining.

Eire Og/Sean Treacys welcomed Darragh Kelly’s ninety-metre free with joy, but the ‘Mines replied through Michael Young from close to the left wing. From there the game upped another notch when the teams scored a goal each, firstly Eire Og/Treacy’s Daniel Kelly going on a run before finding Larry Collins who had the easy task of finding the net to make it 3-12 to 0-15 after 53 minutes.

Thirty seconds later, Silvermines responded when Danny Quinn found the net with a powerful shot. The goal was the perfect tonic for the North champions and riding on the crest of a wave they followed up with three unanswered points to level with the wonderful Sean McGrath score from wing back, followed by another Nolan free and a Cathal Treacy point.

It didn’t end there as the ‘Mines supporters could hardly believe their eyes when Danny Quinn grabbed his second goal after Darragh Treacy set him up with the game reaching the hour mark. Silvermines looked likely winners but in a game of many qualities there was one final act as Darragh Kelly’s goal levelled with Colm Kennedy grabbing the winner for Eire Og Annacarty/Sean Treacys.

Player of the Match: Darragh Kelly (Eire Og/Sean Treacys).

Eire Og Annacarty/Sean Treacys: Michael Ryan (EO 7); Scott Ryan (EO 7), Aaron Lenihan (ST 7), Max Carroll (ST 7); Daniel Kelly (EO 0-2, 8), Colm Kennedy (ST, 0-2, 8), Colin Heffernan (EO, 7); Ronan Carr (ST 7), Adam O’Dwyer (EO 7); Michael Furlong (EO 7), Darragh Kelly (EO, 2-6, 0-3f, 8), Adam Kelly (EO 6); James Butler (ST, 0-1, 7), Darragh Carr (ST 6), Larry Collins (ST, 2-2, 8).

Subs: Liam Crosse (EO, 7) for A Kelly (HT).

Silvermines: Luke O’Connor (7); William Murphy (7), Sean Ryan Prenderville (6), Ben Claffey (6); Sean Murphy (6), Luke O’ Brien (7), Sean McGrath (0-1, 8); Cynan Bailey (0-2, 7), Cathal Treacy (0-1, 7); Danny Quinn (2-1, 7), Darragh Treacy (0-3, 7), Michael Young (0-2, 7); Sean Nolan (0-5, 4f, 1’65) 7), John Ryan (7), Ronan Cunneen (0-2, 6).

Sub: Conor McGrath (6) for Cunneen (46).

Referee: Joe Leahy (Moyne-Templetuohy).