Kelly stars for combo as Silvermines come undone in U19B semi-final

FBD Insurance County U19 B Hurling Championship Semi-Final 

Eire Og Annacarty/Sean Treacys 4-13 

Silvermines 2-18

By Liam Hogan 

Colm Kenndy’s match-winning point, two minutes into injury time helped Eire Og Annacarty/Sean Treacys to an exciting victory over Silvermines in the FBD Insurance County Under 19 B Hurling semi-final played at blistering Holycross last Saturday afternoon.

In a splendid contest, Eire Og/Treacys trailed by three after Danny Quinn’s goal in the 60th minute seemed to put Silvermines in a winning position. But in a game which was played at a frantic pace from first whistle to last had one last piece of drama and Eire Og’s response was a brilliant ground shot by Dara Kelly which had the Combination back level before Colm Kennedy scored the winner. 

It was a great win for the west champions but spare a thought for Silvermines who looked well beaten after thirty five minutes when they trailed by seven but yet threw off the shackles to almost win the contest. 

Sean McGrath was their best on view with Luke O’Neill offering another good day while Cynan Bailey and Cathal Treacy led a good fight for a forward line where five of the starting six got on the scoresheet.

There were never more than two points between the teams in the opening quarter and by the fifteenth minute scores were level for the second time at 0-5 each. Eire Og/Treacys led for most of that period and should have had a greater lead but struck five wides in five minutes. 

What they did score came from the impressive Darragh Kelly with two points (one free) while Larry Collins, Colm Kennedy, and James Butler also scored. Cynan Bailey was Mines top scorer so far on 0-2 while Darragh Treacy, Sean Nolan from a free plus Michael Young from play. Young was a starter for David Ryan who failed to line out due to an injury he picked up in the North final win over Kiladangan. 

Ronan Cunneen gave Mines the lead for the first time at 0-6 to 0-5 in the 16th minute and Danny Quinn extended the lead two minutes later. A super point by Darragh Kelly cut the margin to one as Eire Og/Treacys enjoyed prominence but the wides increased to nine. 

Yet, they continued to press with Darragh Kelly’s 23rd minute free bringing them level which was quickly followed by a Daniel Kelly score to move one clear. 

But Mines were back level after Darragh Treacy scored and approaching half-time and it looked as if matters would stay the same until Daniel Kelly pushed forward before finding Darragh Kelly who scored a goal to give Eire Og /Treacys a one-goal lead at halftime, 1-8 to 0-8.  

The second half was just a minute old when Darragh Kelly had increased Eire Og/Sean Treacy’s lead and the margin would increase even more as two minutes later Larry Collins was first to make the best of a long-range free by Colm Kenney as the former found the net. 

Trailing by seven Mines looked in trouble but they pushed back. Darragh Treacy’s point was the start. Daniel Kelly replied for Treacys before points by Ronan Cunneen and Sean Nolan from a free left Mines five in arrears after 44 minutes. 

Larry Collins moved Eire Og/Sean Treacys six clear but the Silvermines graph was rising and further points by James Butler and Conor McGrath plus a 65 by Sean Nolan had the margin down to three with nine minutes remaining.

Eire Og/Sean Treacys welcomed Darragh Kelly’s 90-metre free with joy but Mines replied through Michael Young (his second) from close to the left wing. From there the game upped another notch when the teams scored a goal each beginning with Eire Og/Treacy’s Daniel Kelly going on a 30-metre run before finding Larry Collins who had the easy task of finding the net to make it 3-12 to 0-15 after 53 minutes. 

Some 30 seconds later, the Mines responded in kind when Danny Quinn found the net with a powerful shot. The goal was the perfect tonic for the Mines and riding on the crest of a wave they followed up with three unanswered points to level with the wonderful Sean McGrath scoring first from wing back quickly followed by another Nolan free as Cathal Treacy added a point to leave Mines level.

It didn’t end there as the Mines supporters could hardly believe their eyes when Danny Quinn grabbed his second goal after Darragh Treacy set him up with the game reaching the hour mark. Mines looked likely winners but in a game of many qualities, there was one final act as Darragh Kelly’s goal levelled with Colm Kennedy grabbing the winner.       

Éire Og Annacarty/Sean Treacys: Michael Ryan (E Og); Scott Ryan (E Og), Aaron Lenihan, Max Carroll; Daniel Kelly (0-2) (E Og), Colm Kennedy (0-2) (8), Colin Heffernan (E Og); Ronan Carr, Adam O’Dwyer (E Og); Michael Furlong (E Og), Darragh Kelly (E Og) (2-6, 0-3f), Adam Kelly (E Og); James Butler (0-1), Darragh Carr, Larry Collins (2-2).

Subs used: Liam Crosse (E Og) for A Kelly (HT). 

Silvermines: Luke O’ Connor; William Murphy, Sean Ryan Prenderville, Ben Claffey; Sean Murphy, Luke O’ Brien, Sean McGrath (0-1); Cynan Bailey 0-2, Cathal Treacy 0-1; Danny Quinn (2-1), Darragh Treacy (0-3), Michael Young (0-2); Sean Nolan (0-5, 0-4f, 0-1’65), John Ryan, Ronan Cunneen (0-2).

Subs used: Conor McGrath for Cunneen (46).

Referee: Joe Healy (Moyne Templetuohy)