Forde fires ‘Mines to impressive win

GAA: FBD Insurance County Premier Intermediate Championship Group 2

Silvermines 3-17

Moyne-Templetuohy 0-16

Report: Thomas Conway in Borrisoleigh

Silvermines could not have emerged from Saturday’s first round of the Premier Intermediate Championship as more convincing winners.

And, as is usually the case, Jason Forde could not have emerged with a higher scoring tally. Sometimes, we forget about how privileged we are to witness the Silvermines star. Watching Forde in full-flight is like watching Messi carving down the wing in the Nou Camp in his prime, or Federer sweeping a one-handed backhand up the tramline on Centre Court. Criticise the 28-year-old if you will, but he belongs in a bracket alongside Tony Kelly, TJ Reid, and Cian Lynch.

On one level, this was a game characterised by several lengthy stoppages arising from injury delays. On another, it was a showcase of intelligent passing and accuracy - all of it attributable to Silvermines, most of it to Forde.

Moyne-Templetuohy might have hassled for possession and run ceaselessly, but none of it produced the desired effect. By the sixth minute, it was three points apiece. Forde had started to push the ‘Mines ahead with another one of his trademark wonder-scores but his Tipperary teammate, Conor Bowe, quickly responded, sweeping over from just outside the arc. Seconds later, Tom Meade would restore parity, and the contest seemed to be simmering nicely.

However, even in those opening exchanges, the ‘Mines had looked the more polished side, showing a degree of spatial awareness was as impressive as it was effective. And sure enough, from minute seven, a gulf began to emerge. Conor McKelvey pointed from play and not long afterwards, his side hit the net for the first time, Forde whisking the ball home from left of the posts with quintessential elegance.

A serious looking injury to Moyne goalkeeper Paul Maher then created a lengthy hiatus, ultimately resulting in the net-minder’s departure. It did nothing to quell the Silvermines momentum. The subsequent sequence of play saw the North side secure a tantalising 20-metre free. Forde was never going to pass up the opportunity - he smashed the ball low, and with the aid of a deflection, it ricocheted into the back of the net, 2-6 to 0-3. No question where the game was going.

The goals might have furnished Silvermines with momentum, but it was in the run-up to half-time that Seán Quirke’s outfit killed the game. They turned the dagger with a salvo of well-taken points - Forde slapping over another free, Andy Hayden slotting a sumptuous score on the run, Orrie Quirke unleashing a spectacular effort from the wing. By the end of the first-half, the ‘Mines had built up a thirteen-point lead, 2-13 to 0-6. Any Borrisoleigh native who might have wandered down to Bishop Quinlan Park to sample the action could have been forgiven for departing the venue at half-time.

The second-half had more of a pedestrian-like feel to it. The ‘Mines took their foot off the pedal, while Moyne reshuffled in a desperate attempt to whittle down the deficit. The funny thing was, they sort of succeeded, pinging several points and restoring a glimmer of respectability to the scoreboard. In truth however, Silvermines had everything wrapped up by the interval, so the second period was just a matter of steering the ship home.

A late Ger Leamy goal would help them to cruise into port, prompting nods of approval from most in attendance. Most of the talk was about Brian Cody’s retirement, or Liam Cahill’s new management team, but there were also quiet murmurings about Silvermines winning a county title. Of course, after just one game, it’s too early to make such a prediction. Or is it?

Player of the Match: Jason Forde (Silvermines)

Silvermines: David Shanahan (7), Edward Ryan (7), Ronan Sherlock (7), Tiernan Flynn (7), Luke O’Brien (7), Daragh Nolan (8), Daragh McKelvey (8), Oisín Murphy (7), Michael Corcoran (0-1, 7), Andrew Hayden (0-1, 8), Jason Forde (2-12, 1-6f, 0-1 s-cut) 9), Bryan Seymour (0-1, 7), Conor McKelvey (0-1, 7), Orrie Quirke (0-1, 8), Colin O’Brien (7).

Sub: Gerard Leamy (1-0, 7) for Quirke (46).

Moyne-Templetuohy: Paul Maher (0-1f, 7), Shane Lowe (6), Ciarán Lloyd (6), Mark Ryan (7), Pierce Meade (6), Tomás Hamill (7), Kieran Larkin (6), Paudie Gleeson (6), Diarmuid Leahy (0-1, 7), Tom Meade (0-2, 7), Conor Bowe (0-1, 7), Eanna Guilfoyle (0-3, 2f) 7), Diarmuid Fogarty (0-2, 6), John Hassett (6), Jack Taylor (0-6f, 7).

Subs: Gearoid O’Connor (6) for Maher (18 inj); Seán Hayes (6) for Larkin (47); Damien Cantwell (6) for P Meade (51).

Referee: Gerry Treacy (Borris-Ileigh).