Roscrea too good for sluggish ‘Mines

GAA: FBD Insurance County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 2

Roscrea 1-17

Silvermines 2-9

Report: Liam Hogan in Toomevara

An improved second half performance helped Roscrea claim their second County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship win when they defeated a lacklustre Silvermines side on Sunday.

After a slow start, Roscrea led at half time 1-6 to 0-7 with the help of a Jason Gilmartin goal but stepped it up in the second half by picking of the scores to be well out of sight before Jason Forde secured a consolation goal for the ‘Mines which put a gloss on the scoreboard.

Roscrea had a number of personnel absent with goalkeeper Enda Moloney replaced by Daryl Ryan while Aidan Booth started in place of Dan Ryan. Silvermines were unchanged from their win over Moyne-Templetuohy in round one.

Roscrea were on the front foot from the first minute and Jack Lee was goal-bound but for a good save by Edward Ryan which resulted in a 65 which Luke Cashin converted. Two minutes later the evergreen Orrie Quirke levelled from halfway before Jason Forde -operating at full forward- had Silvermines in front.

Things were going well for the ‘Mines as evident from their next score by Andy Hayden in the ninth minute before Roscrea edged in front thanks to scores by Jason Fitzpatrick and two Luke Cashin frees.

Silvermines responded but the Roscrea defence appeared to have matters in order before an intended pass was intercepted and Jason Forde levelled at 0-4 each in the 17th minute.

It was anyone’s game but suddenly the clash reached a turning point. A long clearance from defence had the ‘Mines cover stretched. Jason Gilmartin was unmarked close to the end line before he sent a low shot past a stranded David Shanahan in the Silvermines goal. Roscrea were in front and would never relinquish the lead.

With Shane Fletcher continuing his best form and after winning another free it was left to Luke Cashin once more to convert and extend Roscrea’s lead before Fletcher profited from a litany of errors to score his first of three points in the 24th minute.

By now, the ‘Mines had Jason Forde operating around midfield and his two long range frees kept Silvermines in the frame approaching half time and in the second minute of added time he landed another pointed free, this time from almost ninety-five metres which left two points between the sides at the break.

Silvermines continued their positive period after the break and were rewarded with another Forde free after three minutes.

Disappointingly, the ‘Mines would not score again until the 55th minute, meanwhile Roscrea stepped up a gear with six unanswered points through Jason Gilmartin, Joe Carroll, Evan Fitzpatrick (2), and a Cashin (free), before Shane Fletcher took advantage of a Silvermines short puckout for the sixth.

Roscrea introduced Alan Tynan for his first appearance of the campaign following injury Alan Tynan as the ‘Mines, depending on Jason Forde to set things in motion, the Tipp star set off on a solo run before offloading to Pa Leamy who scored.

The score appeared to have ignited a spark in Silvermines as Michael Corcoran (now operating in attack) went on a run. Daryl Ryan saved but Corcoran was in to scramble the rebound over the line and suddenly the margin was down to three points.

However, Luke Cashin responded with his first point from play and the Rossies increased their lead to five after another Fletcher score on the hour mark.

It was one-way traffic as play went deep into added time with Gilmartin, Liam Seacy and Luke Cashin (free) each finding the target before Jason Forde grabbed a last-minute goal for Mines, one that could ensure a place in the quarter finals if score difference is required following their final game against Kiladangan.

They will want to forget this day in a hurry. They will need to forget formations and give it a lash if they are to proceed to the knockout stage. When Silvermines play on the front foot they are enjoyable to watch.

Meanwhile, Roscrea are as good as through to the quarter finals though they are playing steadily without hitting the high notes.

Player of the Match: Shane Fletcher (Roscrea)

Roscrea: Daryl Ryan (7); Shane Davis (7), Michael Campion (7), Keith McMahon (7); James Synott (7), Darren O’Connor (7), Darragh Tynan (7); Aidan Booth (7), Jason Fitzpatrick (0-1 7); Joe Carroll (0-1, 6), Shane Fletcher (0-3, 8), Evan Fitzpatrick (0-2, 7); Jason Gilmartin (1-2, 7), Jack Lee (6), Luke Cashin (0-7, 5f, 1’65) 7).

Subs: Alan Tynan for E Fitzpatrick (Blood 11-15); Alan Tynan (6) for Lee (37); Luke Seacy (6) for McMahon (38 inj); Liam Seacy (0-1, 6) for Carroll (52).

Silvermines: David Shanahan (6); Edward Ryan (7), Ronan Sherlock (6), Tiernan Flynn (6); Luke O’Brien (6), Darragh Nolan (6), Darragh McKelvey (6); Oisin Murphy (6), Michael Corcoran (1-0, 6); Andrew Hayden (0-1, 6), Orrie Quirke (0-1, 6), Bryan Seymour (6); Conor McKelvey (6), Jason Forde (1-6, 0-5f) 7), Colin O’Brien (6).

Subs: Pa Leamy (0-1, 6) for Seymour (29); Gerard Leamy (6) for Oisin Murphy (60).

Referee: Alan Tierney (Shannon Rovers).