Junior 'B' Hurling Quarter Finals Round-Up

Newport 2-21 Thurles Gaels 1-14

Having had to endure extra time in their two previous games (North semi-final and final), Newport’s Junior ‘B’ hurlers were delighted to have some daylight between them and their opponents at the end of their County quarter final in Moneygall on Saturday against Mid champions, Thurles Gaels.

Newport were shorn of a few of their front line players as Andrew Hickey did not start and Dan Ryan had to leave the fray after ten minutes.

A fourth minute Callum Poole goal set Newport on their way and while Thurles kept in touch for most of the half, a string of points before the break, hallmarked by a booming effort from Martin Carey, gave the Mulcaire men a comfortable 1-9 to 0-6 interval lead. The Gaels had a few early second half points to make inroads into the lead, but when Carey sent over another wonderful point after 42 minutes, Newport began to stretch away and a late Brian Tobin goal, following some good build-up play, put the icing on the cake.

Newport were a better balanced outfit. John Lee marshalled the defence superbly, while Mike Flannery behind him was soundness personified. Martin Carey put in a great hour’s work at midfield. The fleet-footed Callum Poole (1-3) and James Moloney (0-3) posed many difficulties for the Thurles defence. Brian Tobin registered 1-4 and Stephen Coffey 0-8 (7 placed balls). Indeed, the greater spread of scores from the Newport forwards was crucial, as Thurles Gaels were largely reliant on Alan Ryan, who accounted for 0-9 (7 frees). Lorcan O’Toole had a good first half, while Anthony Cooney tried hard to rally his troops, but their talisman, Morgan Lanigan was quieter than heretofore.

Silvermines 3-22 Holycross/Ballycahill 4-14

Silvermines edged out a determined Holycross/Ballycahill side to edge closer to a crack at the county title following a deserved five-point victory in Templemore on Saturday.

Fresh from their North final victory a week previous, Silvermines were gifted a tonic start when Niall Curran netted just after four minutes. Holycross hit back with a two-goal salvo to lead 2-2 to 1-2 mid-way through the half and for the remaining fifteen minutes it was very much a close affair with both sides matching each other in the scoring stakes.

Sean Spillane netted Silvermines’ second goal with four minutes from the break before points from Brian Leamy and Sean Spillane brought the ‘Mines level. Spillane was on target again just before the break to ensure Silvermines took a slender 2-7 to 2-6 interval lead.

Holycross levelled matters just after the break but three points on the bounce from Ronan Cunneen, Peter Kennedy and Cynan Bailey edged the ‘Mines into a three-point lead. Further points from Danny Keogh and Ronan Cunneen (65’) extended the ‘Mines lead before Cunneen and Sean Spillane upped the scoring tempo with a raft of points to see them into a 2-18 to 2-9 lead with ten minutes remaining.

Holycross responded with their third goal, but Brian Leamy responded in kind with a 58th minute major. A game Holycross side battled right to finish with a late consolation goal serving to put a glossier sheen on the scoreboard for the Mid runners-up.

Silvermines now march on to a county semi-final with either West champions Cappawhite or South champions Cahir, both of whom emerged victorious from their respective semi-finals on Saturday against St Patrick’s and Eire Og Annacarty respectively.