Four players sent off as Silvermines qualify for Tipperary Under 21 B hurling final

Silvermines 4-18  Galtee Rovers 0-12

Fourteen-man Silvermines qualified for the FBD Insurance County Under 21 B Hurling Championship final with an 18-point win over 12-man Galtee Rovers after a tempestuous hour's hurling at a breezy Cappawhite on Sunday afternoon.

While most of the fireworks was confined to a ten-minute spell in the second half, it could be argued that two goals in as many minutes from the north champions in the opening half were the decisive scores that sent Silvermines into a seven-point lead at the short whistle.

Galtee Rovers, having won the toss elected to play with the breeze in the opening half and Bill Quirke opened the scoring with a pointed free after a foul on David Harold Barry.

Within a minute, Silvermines were on level terms thanks to the hard-working Sean McGrath, who lined out at midfield. Galtees goalkeeper, Robbie McGrath’s long puckout found Bill Quirke, who made no mistake and the west champions were back in front after five minutes.

Despite hitting several wides, Silvermines were gradually coming to terms with the conditions and a pair of points from their captain Conor McKelvey opened up a one-point lead, which was soon cancelled out by Callum McCarthy’s point after good work by Robbie Byron. 

As the match headed towards the 15-minute mark, Silvermines put their stamp on proceedings to open up a lead they would not relinquish for the remainder of the game. First, Sean Nolan was on hand to crash the sliotar to the net when it should have been dealt with by the Galtee defence before centre forward and captain McKelvey struck for a second green flag, with the Galtee Rovers defence again very exposed.

Eamonn Quirke halted the slide with a fine point for the west standard-bearers but Conor McKelvey from play and frees and Ger Leamy from play extended the Silvermines lead as the 20-minute mark passed.

Galtee Rovers' tactic of landing long balls down on the Silvermines defence began to yield results as the half progressed and Bill Quirke pointed a pair of frees, while Robbie McGrath raised a white flag from well within his own half to reduce the deficit.

At the other end McKelvey hit two Silvermines frees, either side of a Robbie Byron point, to leave the north champions 2-9 to 0-8 ahead at the break. While Silvermines could point to a host of first half wides, Galtee Rovers must also reflect on a couple of goal chances that were well dealt with by Conor Murphy.

Playing with the breeze in the second half, Silvermines hit the first three points through Sean Nolan, Sean McGrath and a McKelvey free before Bill Quirke landed his fifth point from a placed ball. Cathal Treacy replied for Silvermines and once more Quirke did the needful with a long-range free to narrow the lead.

A point from Sean McGrath was soon followed by what could loosely be described as a shemozzle in front of the stand, involving several players from both sides. When order was restored, referee Tadhg Lonergan brandished red cards to a player from both sides. Within a few minutes, two further Galtee Rovers players were also red-carded following consultations between the referee and his officials, leaving the north champions with a significant numerical advantage heading into the final quarter.

With the extra numbers in the final minutes, Silvermines continued to press forward and they were rewarded with a third goal from corner forward Leamy, who soon added a point followed by further points from Luke O’Brien and Sean Nolan, before full forward Danny Quinn had the final say with his team’s fourth goal in injury time.

Silvermines now progress to the County Under 21 B final, where they will face the winners of Killenaule and Gortnahoe-Glengoole. With a solid defence, an industrious midfield and a potent attack, including a full forward line that delivered 3-5 from play, they should pose a serious threat to whichever team is victorious in Golden this weekend.

While Galtee Rovers will be disappointed with this result, they can reflect on a busy and successful 2023, with many of this team having shared in several divisional and county titles over the calendar year. A welcome break now beckons.

Silvermines: Conor Murphy; Kevin Hayden, Sean Ryan Prendiville, Cynan Bailey; Luke O’Brien (0-1), Michael Corcoran, Cathal McGrath; Sean McGrath (0-3), Adam Steed; Cathal Treacy (0-1), Conor McKelvey (1-8, 7 frees, captain), Darragh Treacy; Ger Leamy (1-3), Danny Quinn (1-0), Sean Nolan (1-2).

Subs: William Murphy for Kevin Hayden, Justin Ryan Donnellan for Ger Leamy, Brian Leamy for Adam Steed, Ronan Cunneen for Conor McKelvey, Sean Murphy for Cathal McGrath.

Galtee Rovers: Robbie McGrath (0-1 free); Tadhg Gubbins, Sean Gubbins, Cian O’Dwyer; Killian Byrnes, David Harold Barry (captain), Liam Finnane; Robbie Byron (0-1), Evan Kennedy; Joe O’Callaghan, Eamonn Quirke (0-1), Robert Moloney; Conall Grogan, Bill Quirke (0-8 7 frees), Callum McCarthy (0-1).

Subs: Emmet Bonner for Evan Kennedy, Eoghan Byrnes for Killian Byrnes, Ciaran McCarthy for Joe O’Callaghan, Evan Kennedy for Callum McCarthy.

Referee: Tadhg Lonergan (Kilsheelan/Kilcash).