Forde and McKelvey key for Mines in surviving relegation battle with Sean Treacys

FBD Insurance Premier Intermediate Hurling  Relegation Semi-Final

Silvermines 2-19 

Sean Treacys 0-21

By John O’Shea 

Silvermines consolidated their place in the Premier Intermediate Hurling grade for next season, when they staved off a second-half comeback from Sean Treacys in the relegation semi-final at Pairc Ciocaim Dundrum on Sunday last.

They defended the railway end for the opening half and were quickly out of the traps with Jason Forde opening their account after just 50 seconds. From then on, they dictated the pace of the game and with Conor McKelvey and Forde in fine form, they took their scores with ease. 

They were 0-9 to 0-4 to the good at the quarter hour and a Michael Corcoran goal after eighteen minutes put them firmly in the driving seat as they pushed on to lead at the break by 1-12 to 0-9.

Sean Treacys were a completely different team for the second period as they took the fight to their opponents. They hit the opening five points after the restart but were dealt a body blow in 40 minutes when Jody Ryan (Rogers) was shown a straight red card by referee Johnny Butler for a challenge on Silvermines goalkeeper Conor Murphy. 

Ryan had only been on the field at that stage for six minutes, having been introduced as a substitute for Tom Hickey on the edge of the square. This numerical disadvantage didn’t seem to have an immediate adverse effect on them as they hit the next three points to go two up at the three-quarter stage.  

Silvermines reacted positively and Jason Forde set up Conor McKelvey for goal number two with three minutes of normal time remaining and pushed on over the closing minutes to get over the line by four points.

The game started at a hectic pace with Jason Forde splitting the posts, from around the half way line, inside the opening minute. Conor McKelvey doubled their advantage before Seanie Ryan (Rogers) found Pat Deegan from a quickly taken free and the midfielder got Treacys moving on the scoreboard. 

Forde again found his range from a huge effort inside his own 65. Paddy Dawson opened his account from a placed ball but Conor McKelvey restored parity as the game flowed from end to end. 

Eleven points were scored during the opening twelve minutes, as the Mines opened up a four point gap. 

Shane Stapleton saved well at the dressing room end, but Andy Hayden was alert and latched on to the breaking ball to register his opening score. Conor McKelvey and Donnacha O’Brien then traded minors before Brian Nolan set up Tom Hickey.

Silvermines got the opening break on eighteen minutes with Darragh Treacy picking out Michael Corcoran running into space. Corcoran gave Shane Stapleton no chance from close in to go into a seven point advantage. 

Points from Seanie Ryan (Rogers) and a third from Pat Deegan kept Treacys in touch. Deegan was really a thorn in the side of the Mines defence with his ball carrying ability and point taking on the run. 

Five minutes before the break, Shane Stapleton was again called into action when he saved well from Danny Quinn, after good work by Darragh and Cathal Treacy, to keep Treacys in the game.

Pat Deegan put over his fourth point of the half before Conor McKelvey closed out the scoring with a point in added time, to leave Silvermines ahead by 1-12 to 0-9.

Treacys emerged for the second period in a determined mood, with Mikey Feehan splitting the posts after fifty seconds before Paddy Deegan hit his fifth of the afternoon. 

Deegan then set up his midfield partner Christy Egan for Treacys third point in as many minutes, reducing the deficit to three. A good Treacys move involving Donnacha O’Brien and Mikey Feehan finished with a Colm Kennedy point before Stevie Carr cut the lead to just one point.

Treacys were dealt a body blow when substitute Jody Ryan (Rogers) was red carded, after being on the field for just six minutes, following a challenge on Silvermines goalkeeper Conor Murphy. 

This numerical disadvantage didn’t seem to effect their game adversely as the put over the next three scores, a point from play by Paddy Deegan, a converted sixty five from Paddy Dawson and a long range effort from Colm Kennedy. 

Treacys were now two to the good as the game entered the final quarter, with the Mines not having yet registered a score for the second half. Two points in quick succession from McKelvey and Forde tied the game for only the second time. 

Pat Dawson converted two placed balls, either side of a Darragh McKelvey effort from open play. Cillian Kennedy put two between the sides, but Jason Forde replied with his sixth of the afternoon as the game entered the final five minutes of normal time. 

Silvermines finished the better in those final minutes plus added time. Andy Hayden combined well with Jason Forde to set up Conor McKelvey for a second goal on fifty seven minutes. Then Forde effectively wrapped up the game with two further scores in the closing minutes to keep his side in the Premier grade for next season. 

Silvermines: Conor Murphy; Noel Quirke, Ronan Sherlock, Daragh Nolan; Luke O’Brien, Darragh McKelvey (0-1), Adam Steed; Michael Corcoran (1-0), Darragh Treacy (0-1); Conor McKelvey (1-7, 0-4f), Jason Forde (0-8, 0-3f), Cathal Treacy; Andy Hayden (0-2), Danny Quinn, Gerard Leamy. 

Subs used: Orrie Quirke for Danny Quinn (HT); Mark Daniels for Gerard Leamy (36); Sean Nolan for Andy Hayden (57).

Sean Treacys: Shane Stapleton; Paul Nolan, Sean Hickey, Brian Nolan; Andy O’Brien, Seanie Ryan (Rogers) (0-1), Emmet Ryan; Christy Egan (0-1), Pat Deegan (0-6); Darragh Carr (0-1), Stevie Carr (0-1), Mikey Feehan (0-1); Donnacha O’Brien (0-1), Tom Hickey (0-1), Paddy Dawson (0-5, 0-4f). 

Subs used: Colm Kennedy (0-2) for Darragh Carr (HT), Jody Ryan for Tom Hickey (34), Cillian Kennedy (0-1) for Donnacha O’Brien (44), Eoin Sheldon for Emmet Ryan (inj 48), Brendan O’Dwyer for Sean Hickey (57), Paddy Carey for Christy Egan (59).

Referee: Johnny Burler (Upperchurch Drombane)