Impressive second half sees Silvermines power past Kiladangan to win U19B North final

Ger Gavin U19B Hurling Championship Final

Silvermines 3-12

Kiladangan 0-15

By Liam Hogan

It was a game of two halves but Silvermines won the important second half to claim their first U19B hurling title when defeating Kiladangan in a well contested final played at Borrisoleigh last Sunday afternoon.

Having tailed by 0-12 to 1-2 at half time one wondered if Silvermines had the ability to produce a comeback but comeback they did as they kept Kiladangan scoreless from play while scoring 2-10 in a blistering performance.

This was a great win for the Mines who were everybody’s shortlist favourites along with Kilruane MacDonaghs and Moneygall/Clonakenny. Silvermines defeated Moneygall/Clonakenny in the semi-final by a single point.
They began the game on the front foot when Sean Nolan found the Kiladangan net in the second minute after Cynan Baily led the move.

The scores were coming quickly and points by Chullian McGrath and Noel Gleeson from a free on halfway had Kiladangan in the frame but Sean Nolan hit back to put Mines two in front after 11 minutes.

Kiladangan responded through Jack Minehan before Noel Gleeson levelled with a free in the 14th. Both sides went through the next six minutes without a score as accuracy in front of goal proved a little disappointing especially the Mines who struck eight wides by halftime as their plan to shoot from far was not working.

Losing David Ryan in the 14th minute through injury was another setback to Silvermines. It wasn’t that Kiladangan were really up to anything either as their wides were increasing as the normally accurate Noel Gleeson was off target from frees and a 65. Suddenly it all came right.

Led by Jos Slattery who covered so much area at midfield an eight-point run began with Noel Gleeson scoring four points, two frees and a 65 with Ciaran Taplin and the impressive Diarmuid Fogarty scoring two points each from play.

Kiladangan were looking good but Mines kept their heads and Ronan Cunneen’s point before halftime was a good luck charm although Silvermines didn’t know at the time. Half time Kiladangan 0-12 Silvermines 1-2.

Playing with the breeze in the second half, Silvermines made a game-changing move when they moved Ronan Cunneen to the top of the left and his lightning-speed work in the first ball that came his direction as he scored his second point two minutes into the new half. Noel Gleeson replied with a free but Cathal Treacy and Sean Nolan, from a free, kept Mines on their toes.
Noel Gleeson’s pointed free in the 42nd minute gave Kiladangan a six-point lead. Little did we think that they would not score for another eighteen minutes.

Meanwhile, Silvermines continued to press forward as Sean Nolan pointed another free after Danny Quinn was fouled.
Silvermines were growing in stature and Luke O’Brien’s commanding performance at centre-back epitomised what was happening as very little got past him his link-up play was good as he found Cunneen once again with the latter putting substitute Michael Young through for a point.

More link-up play continued as Silvermines powered their way with the ever-present Sean McGrath scoring from half-way before Sean Nolan’s next successful free left Mines two adrift with seven minutes remaining.

More Mines pressure followed as Kiladangan had their defence cut in two when Darragh Treacy powered through before his one-handed flick gave Evan Sherlock no chance and Mines were in front 2-9 to 0-14.

It was all Mines now as Donal Treacy followed up with a long range free before another Cunneen score gave his team a three-point advantage and four remaining.

Noel Gleeson’s ninth point kept Kiladangan in the picture but Sean Nolan replied in kind to move Mines three in front once more.

With the game entering additional time, Kiladangan had one last kick and they had the Mines goalmouth under pressure but the Mines defence held firm and cleared the danger. With defence turned into attack the new champions made double sure of victory when Sean Nolan scored their third goal in the 62nd minute and with it the silverware was heading to Ballinaclough and Silvermines three years after winning the Minor B in 2020.

Luke O’Brien was Mines best player with Sean McGrath a close second. Sean Murphy, Darragh Treacy, Ronan Cunneen, Sean Nolan, Cathal Treacy and Danny Quinn had their moments.

Kiladangan who came through to the final by way of victories over Lorrha/Shannon Rovers and Kilruane MacDonaghs will be very disappointed after they were well on top in the first half. Gavin McGrath, Dara O’Dwyer, Jack Minehan, Jos Slattery, Noel Gleeson and Diarmuid Fogarty were best.

Silvermines: Luke O’ Connor; William Murphy, Sean Ryan Prenderville, Ben Claffey; Sean Murphy, Luke O’Brien, Sean McGrath (0-1); Cynan Bailey, Darragh Treacy (1-1, 0-1f); Ronan Cunneen (0-3), David Ryan, Danny Quinn (1-0); Sean Nolan (1-5, 0-4f), John Ryan, Cathal Treacy (0-1),

Subs used: Michael Young (0-1) for D Ryan (14, inj).

Kiladangan: Evan Sherlock; Ryan Gillick, Sean Ryan, Gavin McGrath; Callum O’Shea, Jack McGrath, Dara McGrath; James O’Meara, Jack Minehan; Chullian McGrath, Ciaran Taplin (0-2), Jos Slattery; Noel Gleeson (0-9, 0-7f, 0-1’65), Jack Connolly, Diarmuid Fogarty (0-2).

Subs used: Oisin Sheahan for Connolly (44); Cillian Ryan for Minehan (54).

Referee: Ciaran O’Donovan (Burgess)