Third North Junior ‘B’ Hurling success for Silvermines

GAA: The Watch Centre North Tipperary Junior ‘B’ Hurling Championship Final

Silvermines 2-14

Newport 0-18

(After Extra Time)

Report: James Hayden in Puckane

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Ronan Cunneen (Silvermines).

SCORERS – Silvermines: Ronan Cunneen 1-7 (0-5 frees); Daniel Keogh 1-2; Sean Spillane 0-2; Peter Kennedy, Willie Keogh, Niall Curran 0-1 each.

Newport: Stephen Coffey 0-11 (10 frees, 1 ‘65); Dara Meaney, Daithí Whelton, Dan Ryan, Calum Poole, Niall Duffy, Brian Tobin, Darragh Gavin 0-1 each.

Silvermines edged to victory in extra-time to capture the North Tipperary Junior ‘B’ Hurling Championship title following a thrilling clash with Newport on Saturday evening.

Extra time was required to separate the sides after the ‘Mines struck late deep in injury time to deny the men from the banks of the Mulcair victory.

Arguably, Newport were presented with the chances to seal victory in extra-time but a missed penalty and four missed frees from scorable positions hampered their efforts while the Mines’ fired over four points during extra-time to clinch a hard-fought two-point victory.

Silvermines were gunning for only their third ever title at this grade and aiming to bridge a four-year gap since their last title in 2020 while Newport were seeking to add a sixth title to their roll of honour with their last victory coming in 2017.

Having overcome Knockshegowna in the semi-final, Newport went into this encounter buoyed by their win over the reigning champions while Silvermines netted two late goals to oust a fancied Ballina side in their semi-final. They were also forced to plan without the injured Sean Murphy and Ben Claffey while the influential and experienced Niall Curran was recovering from a bout of illness but still played a pivotal role in extra-time for Declan Nolan’s charges.

Despite the enforced changes it was the Silvermines who drew first blood with Daniel Keogh and Ronan Cunneen knifing over two impressive points inside five minutes. Newport responded with the first of eleven points from placed balls from Stephen Coffey before two further points from Darragh Gavin and Coffey (free) edged Newport into a ninth minute lead.

Ronan Cunneen, who impressed throughout, levelled proceedings with a sweetly struck free before Newport took a grip on proceedings. Dara Meaney, Stephen Coffey (65’) and Calum Poole all bisected the uprights to fire Newport into a 0-6 to 0-3 lead before the ‘Mines moved to curb the growing influence of Martin Carey at midfield.

Ronan Cunneen arrowed over an 18th minute free for the ‘Mines before Martin Carey delivered a high looping ball into Niall Duffy and he fired over Newport’s seventh point to maintain a three-point advantage.

The ‘Mines had their opportunities to counter but a raft of wides dented their aspirations before a Stephen Collins free put four between the sides as the interval approached.

At this juncture Newport were odds on to take a lead to the dressing room but when corner-back Damien O’Brien was caught in possession as he surged clear with the sliotar it provided the perfect opening for the ‘Mines. Sean Spillane’s quick delivery was gathered by Ronan Cunneen on an angled run and his strike low to Mike Flannery’s left fired the ‘Mines right back into contention, 1-4 to 0-8. The mercurial Willie Keogh then popped over a levelling point deep in injury time to leave it all square at the break, 1-5 to 0-8.

With little or no breeze to contend with the ‘Mines edged in front with a 33rd minute Sean Spillane free before efforts from Stephen Coffey (2 frees) and the free-running Dan Ryan saw the momentum swing back in favour of the Newport men.

Silvermines were struggling at this juncture, but Ronan Cunneen kept his side in touch with a difficult free from a tight angle before a booming long-range Stephen Coffey free edged Newport into a two-point lead on 40 minutes.

Silvermines enforced a double substitution in a bid to add impetus to their flagging attack with Brian Leamy and Niall Curran drafted into the fray. Curran’s impact was immediate, breaking down David Shanahan’s free to the inrushing Daniel Keogh and he rattled the back of the net with aplomb.

Daithí Whelton and Daniel Keogh fired over impressive points for their respective sides before successive Stephen Coffey frees saw Newport wrestle back the lead once more, 0-15 to 2-8. With scoreboard issues causing confusion for both sides referee Pat O’Mahony clarified the one-point lead for Newport but the ‘Mines were going nowhere and up stepped the impressive Peter Kennedy with a game-levelling point as both sides battled hard for supremacy.

Newport dug deep once more with Stephen Coffey (free) edging them back in front right on full-time before Ronan Cunneen displayed nerves of steel to send the tie to extra-time after Paudie Fogarty was dragged to the ground in front of goal, 2-10 to 0-16.

Newport were afforded a massive opportunity to seize the initiative in extra time after Stephen Coffey was pulled down on route to goal following an incisive Dan Ryan delivery. Coffey stepped up to take the penalty but David Shanahan, who was outstanding throughout between the posts, pulled off yet another fantastic save to deny the men in purple and gold.

The penalty save served to imbue the ‘Mines with added resolve and they fought a fantastic rearguard action with Diarmuid Brennan, Sean Ryan Prendiville, Cathal McGrath and Eoin Seymour impressive in defence. Points from Ronan Cunneen (free) and Niall Curran edged the ‘Mines into a two-point lead at half-time in extra-time.

Newport were not going to ‘die soft’ and they mustered the resolve to narrow the gap to a single point twice in the second period with Stephen Coffey and Brian Tobin on target while Sean Spillane ensured Silvermines kept noses in front with a fantastic effort from range.

In what proved a thrilling finale, Newport were presented with two frees to level, but Stephen Coffey’s efforts just tailed to the wrong side of the uprights before Ronan Cunneen popped up once more with a late point to seal a hard-earned yet fully deserved victory for the men from the foothills of Sliabh Ciamaltha.

Silvermines now march on to the county quarter-finals as North champions to face Holycross/Ballycahill, but Newport will also get a shot at redemption against Thurles Gaels in what will prove a hugely interesting race for the much coveted Tim Maher Cup.

TEAMS - Silvermines: David Shanahan (8), Diarmuid Brennan (7), Sean Ryan Prendiville (7), William Murphy (7); Cathal McGrath (J-Capt, 7), Eoin Seymour (8), Sean McGrath (7); Cynan Bailey (7), Peter Kennedy (7); Daniel Keogh (8); Sean Spillane (7), John Ryan (7); Ronan Cunneen (8); Willie Keogh (7), Daniel Ryan (J-Capt, 7).

Subs: Niall Curran (7) for J Ryan (41); Brian Leamy (7) for D Ryan (41); Conor McGrath (7) for Spillane (46); Paudie Fogarty (6) for S McGrath (53); Eamon Corcoran (6) for Murphy (ET); Sean Spillane for W Keogh (ET); Sean McGrath for Corcoran (ET).

Newport: Michael Flannery (7), Keith Hogan (7), John Lee (7), Damien O’Brien (7); Dara Meaney (7), Andrew Hickey (8), Daithí Whelton (7); Martin Carey (Capt, 8), Dan Ryan (8); Calum Poole (7), Niall Duffy (7) Brian Tobin (7), James Moloney (7), Darragh Gavin (7); Stephen Coffey (8).

Subs: Eoghan Flynn (7) for Tobin (38); Emmet Floyd (7) for Gavin (46); James Tobin (6) for Moloney (54); Brian Tobin (6) for Duffy (ET).

Referee: Pat O’Mahony (Kiladangan).