Silvermines edge epic semi-final with Ballina to qualify for U21A North final

North U21A Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Silvermines 1-14

Ballina 1-13

By James Hayden

Silvermines staved off a battling Ballina side to book their spot in this year’s North Tipperary U21A hurling decider following a hugely absorbing semi-final clash in Ballina on Sunday last.

Nine points from the stick of Conor McKelvey, including five from play, proved hugely influential as the ‘Mines edged past the stiffest of Ballina challenges.

Leading by 1-6 to 0-7 at the break thanks in the main part to an expertly fashioned Jack Collins goal after 20 minutes Ballina allowed Silvermines to eke their way back into contention after the break before a 39th minute Darragh Treacy major fired the ‘Mines into a lead they would never relinquish.

The ‘Mines were forced to fight a rearguard action in the closing quarter though as Ballina came at them in waves. Michael Corcoran, Luke O’Brien, and Sean Ryan Prendiville led the resistance though as the ‘Mines battled for all they were worth to keep a resurgent Ballina at bay.

In truth, Ballina had the opportunities to level and may have even snatched victory had a couple of chances from play, and frees from placed balls that went their way down the home stretch. 

Even a sublimely struck sideline cut from the stick of the influential full-forward, Jack Collins deep in time added on failed to have the necessary purchase on it to clear the crossbar and allowed Silvermines goalkeeper, Conor Murphy to bat the sliotar clear. Had the sliotar crossed the plane it would have undoubtedly sent the tie to extra-time.

Ballina could have also netted on 56 minutes when the impressive Billy Collins found himself in on goal but his effort flashed wide. In what was a pivotal passage of play, Conor Murphy’s resulting puckout was plucked from the sky by the soaring Conor McKelvey. 

McKelvey whirled on a sixpence and arrowed the sliotar high and over the bar from range for a score that fired the ‘Mines into a two-point lead and ultimately proved the winner for his side.

With little or no wind to contend with in the opening half, both sides were quickly out of the traps with Ger Leamy and Cynan Bailey pointing for the 'Mines while an early brace from corner-forward, Charlie King ensured Ballina kept pace. 

Conor McKelvey (free) and Jack Collins traded points before Collins raided for Ballina’s only goal of the game after he tore clean through the Silvermines' defence. 

Ger Leamy and Charlie King traded points as the 20-minute mark approached before Jack Collins and Conor McKelvey arrowed over frees for their respective sides.

Silvermines undoubtedly had the better of the exchanges as the half drew to a close with an effort from play and from a placed ball bringing the ‘Mines within a point before a Jack Collins free deep in injury time ensured Ballina took a 1-6 to 0-7 lead to the dressing room.

Silvermines dropped back Michael Corcoran into a deep sweeper role in the second half but both sides kept the scoreboard ticking in the third quarter with three points on the trot from Conor McKelvey while two points from Jack Collins and another from Billy Collins kept Ballina’s noses in front.

Ballina conceded a crucial goal on 38 minutes after JP Mboka was caught out of position while adjusting his helmet. 

Danny Quinn had the step on his marker and gathered Conor Murphy’s searching puck-out before tearing towards goal and tapping the ball into the path of the inrushing Darragh Treacy who fired the sliotar first time past Simon Grace in the Ballina goal.

Treacy quickly followed up with a well-taken point before Ballina cut the deficit to one with a Jack Collins free on 43 minutes. Conor McKelvey fired over two in a row from placed balls to edge the ‘Mines three clear before Ballina put in a tremendous closing quarter.

Points from Cathal O’Donnell and Cillian Ryan narrowed the gap to two before McKelvey broke Ballina's hearts with a memorable 57th-minute effort from long-range. 

Paddy Bradley narrowed the gap to the bare minimum on the cusp of full-time but try as they might, Ballina just couldn’t breach a resilient ‘Mines defence once more and Silvermines held out to record a hard-earned and hard-fought solitary point victory. 

Silvermines: Conor Murphy; Sean McGrath, Sean Ryan Prendiville, Sean Murphy; Brehon O’Donnell, Luke O’Brien, Cynan Bailey (0-1); Michael Corcoran, Adam Steed; Ger Leamy (0-2), Conor McKelvey (0-9, 0-5f), Darragh Treacy (1-1); Sean Nolan, Danny Quinn, Cathal Treacy.

Subs used: Ger Ryan for Steed (45).

Ballina: Simon Grace; Tristan Giroudiere, Kian Donnelly, Jack Quinn; Sean Lyons, Zac Egan, JP Mbokha; Paddy Bradley (0-1), Billy Collins (0-1); Cathal O’Donnell (0-1), Cillian Ryan (0-1), Brian Bourke; Luke Power, Jack Collins (1-6, 0-4f), Charlie King (0-2).

Subs used:  Paul McKeogh for Bourke (50); Thomas Shanahan for Power (HT).

Referee: Gerry Treacy (Borris-Ileigh)