Late McKelvey goal ensures Silvermines survival

Silvermines consolidated their place in the Premier Intermediate Hurling grade for next season when they staved off a second half comeback from Sean Treacys in the relegation semi-final on Sunday.

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

Silvermines 2-19

Sean Treacys 0-21

Report: John O’Shea at Pairc Ciocaim, Dundrum

The game started at a hectic pace with Jason Forde splitting the posts from around the half way line, inside the opening minute. Conor McKelvey doubled their advantage before Seanie Ryan (Rogers) found Pat Deegan from a quickly-taken free and the midfielder got Treacys moving on the scoreboard.

Forde, again, found his range from a huge effort inside his own 65-metre line. Paddy Dawson opened his account from a placed ball, but Conor McKelvey restored parity as the game flowed from end to end. Eleven points were scored during the opening twelve minutes, as the ‘Mines opened up a four point gap.

Shane Stapleton saved well but Andy Hayden was alert and latched on to the breaking ball to register his opening score. Conor McKelvey and Donnacha O’Brien then traded minors before Brian Nolan set up Tom Hickey.

Silvermines got the opening goal on eighteen minutes with Darragh Treacy picking out Michael Corcoran running into space who gave Shane Stapleton no chance from close range to go into a seven point advantage. Points from Seanie Ryan (Rogers) and a third from Pat Deegan kept Treacys in touch. Deegan was really a thorn in the side of the Mines defence with his ball carrying ability and point taking on the run.

Five minutes before the break, Shane Stapleton was again called into action when he saved well from Danny Quinn, after good work by Darragh & Cathal Treacy, to keep Treacys in the game. Pat Deegan put over his fourth point of the half before Conor McKelvey closed out the scoring with a point in added time, to leave Silvermines ahead 1-12 to 0-9.

Treacys emerged for the second period in a determined mood, with Mikey Feehan splitting the posts after fifty seconds before Paddy Deegan hit his fifth of the afternoon. Deegan then set up his midfield partner Christy Egan for Treacys third point in as many minutes, reducing the deficit to three. A good Treacys move involving Donnacha O’Brien and Mikey Feehan finished with a Colm Kennedy point before Stevie Carr cut the lead to just one point.

Treacys were dealt a body blow when substitute Jody Ryan (Rogers) was red carded, after being on the field for just six minutes, following a challenge on Silvermines goalkeeper Conor Murphy.

This numerical disadvantage didn’t seem to affect their game adversely as the put over the next three scores, a point from play by Paddy Deegan, a 65 from Paddy Dawson and a long range effort from Colm Kennedy.

Treacys were now two to the good as the game entered the final quarter, with the ‘Mines not having yet registered a score for the second half. Two points in quick succession from Conor McKelvey and Jason Forde tied the game for only the second time.

Pat Dawson converted two placed balls, either side of a Darragh McKelvey effort from play. Cillian Kennedy put two between the sides, but Jason Forde replied with his sixth as the game entered the final five minutes of normal time.

Silvermines finished the better in that period, plus added time. Andy Hayden combined well with Jason Forde to set up Conor McKelvey for a second goal on 57 minutes. Then Forde effectively wrapped up the game with two further scores in the closing minutes to keep his side in the second grade for next season.

Sean Treacys just came up short in those closing minutes following a third quarter comeback and must now play near neighbours Newport in the relegation final, a game that will decide their fate for next season.

Player of the Match: Jason Forde (Silvermines)

Silvermines: Conor Murphy (7); Noel Quirke (7), Ronan Sherlock (7), Daragh Nolan (7); Luke O’Brien (7), Darragh McKelvey (0-1, 7), Adam Steed (7); Michael Corcoran (1-0, 8), Darragh Treacy (0-1, 7); Conor McKelvey (1-7, 0-4f, 8), Jason Forde (0-8, 3f, 9), Cathal Treacy (7); Andy Hayden (0-2, 7), Danny Quinn (6), Gerard Leamy (6).

Subs: Orrie Quirke (6) for Quinn (HT), Mark Daniels (6) for Leamy (36); Sean Nolan (6) for Hayden (57).

Sean Treacys: Shane Stapleton (6); Paul Nolan (7), Sean Hickey (7), Brian Nolan (6); Andy O’Brien (7), Seanie Ryan (Rogers 0-1, 7), Emmet Ryan (6); Christy Egan (0-1, 7), Pat Deegan (0-6); Darragh Carr (0-1, 6), Stevie Carr (0-1, 7), Mikey Feehan (0-1, 7); Donnacha O’Brien (0-1, 6), Tom Hickey (0-1, 6), Paddy Dawson (0-5, 4f, 7).

Subs: Colm Kennedy (0-2, 7) for D Carr (HT), Jody Ryan (NR) for T Hickey (34), Cillian Kennedy (0-1, 7) for D O’Brien (44), Eoin Sheldon (6) for E Ryan (48 inj), Brendan O’Dwyer (6) for S Hickey (57); Paddy Carey (NR) for Egan (59).

Referee: Johnny Butler (Upperchurch/Drombane).