REPORTS: Toomevara and Clonakenny are amongst the county U13 champions after last weekend

County U13D Hurling Championship Final

Silvermines 1-10

Holycross Ballycahill 1-3

By Michael Dundon

Holycross Ballycahill came up well short in the Coiste na nOg county U13 hurling D final against Silvermines at Holycross on Saturday, the winners running out emphatic winners in a contest that was not as one-sided as the scoreline might suggest.

A battling home side stayed in touch with their rivals in a competitive first half, but after the break Silvermines dominated, Holycross’ goal coming far too late to kick-start a rally.

Silvermines had an edge in physique on their rivals but they were also the tidier on the ball, oozing confidence in possession.
They were early on the offensive, a goal by Fionn Ryan after five minutes giving them the initiative. Holycross stayed with them but the home attack was making little headway against a resolute Mines defence.

Holycross could only muster two points in the first half, from Diarmuid Ryan and Philip Dwyer, while Silvermines augmented Fionn Ryan’s goal with points from Daniel Sherlock, Liam Treacy and from Ryan himself to go in at the break with a 1-3 to 0-2 lead.

The large Holycross support was hoping for better things after the break but it was Silvermines who raised their game and they extended their lead with points from Liam Treacy (2) and Cormac Shaughnessy edging the game out of Holycross’ reach.
It got worse for the home side as, with Silvermines now in full flow, Archie Walsh, Daniel Sherlock, Liam Treacy and Sherlock again added further points to kill off any outside chance Holycross had of recovery.

Holycross needed goals if they were to save the day and they did get one when Patrick Skehan blasted a free to the net but it was too late to make any significant difference and Silvermines’ fans piled on to the pitch at the conclusion to salute their young heroes.

There is no question about the merit of the Silvermines win. They fully deserved it and in the process raised hopes of the club for the future with several promising young players on view.

In particular, the performances of Fionn Ryan, Cormac O’Shaughnessy, Liam Treacy, Darren McKeogh, Conor Fahy and Michael Hynes delighted their followers but all over they were very competent and had the added satisfaction of using their entire panel in the final.

Holycross’ disappointment was understandable but their younger set gave a good account of themselves. This was the club’s second under 13 team and they had done very well to reach the final with many of them eligible for the grade again next year.

Murt Dillon, Philip Dwyer, Tony Bannon, Damian Ryan and goalie Fionn Gallagher were foremost in advancing the Holycross Ballycahill cause.

Silvermines: James Timmons; Stevie O’Connor, Conor Fahy; Ronan Hegarty, Darren McKeogh, Michael Hynes; Cormac O’Shaughnessy (0-1), Fionn Ryan (1-1); Archie Walsh (0-1), Daniel Sherlock (0-3), Liam Treacy (0-4, 0-3f).

Subs used: Conor McManus; Jim Stone; Conor Quinn; Luke Enright.

Holycross Ballycahill: Fionn Gallagher; Murt Dillon, Damian Ryan; Philip O’Dwyer (0-1), Luke Ryan, Edvards Graholskis, Tony Bannon; Diarmuid Ryan (0-1), Patrick Skehan (1-1); Ryan Ferncombe, Hunter Donnelly.

Subs used: Heath Lilly, Micheal O’Meara.

Referee: Aidan Butler (Knockavilla Kickhams)