Tipperary underage star makes stunning debut as Moneygall down 14-man Silvermines!

Munster Solar North Premier Intermediate Championship quarter-final

Moneygall 1-23

Silvermines 3-13

Moneygall withstood a late fightback from 14-man Silvermines to eventually get the result that sent them into the semi-finals of the Munster Solar North Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship in a frantic finish in Toomevara on Saturday evening.

READ NEXT: Heartache continues for Tipperary, who come up short in semi-final against Galway yet again

In their first year in the second-tier grade after winning last year’s Intermediate county final, Moneygall were full value for the win but were made to sweat late on by a Silvermines team who played 25 minutes plus of the second half with a man less after Ronan Sherlock received a straight red card in the 36th minute.

Fresh (ish) after Tipperary’s All-Ireland victory last Sunday, Jason Forde struck two late 21-yard free goals in stoppage time to reduce the game to just three points as it seemed that Moneygall would cruise to victory.

But they would require a Eoghan Doughan insurance point from a free to make sure a minute from time and secure a place in the final four of this year’s North championship.

Indeed, while it was Jason Forde who once again brought the fight for Silvermines yet again, it was a championship debutant who did the damage for Moneygall with Eoghan Doughan giving his supporters a taste of what is to come from the young star, as he finished the game with 1-12 of his side’s total in a terrific individual display.

Despite the dominance of Moneygall’s second-half display, they didn’t have anywhere near as much control of the game in the initial stages as Silvermines started the stronger, taking a 1-5 to 0-4 lead after 14 minutes with Danny Quinn snapping a high, long ball before galloping in on goal and finishing past Mark Fanning.

Moneygall were getting very little change from their big players in Sean Kenneally and Joe Fogarty, and their main currency for scores came from placed balls rotated between Adam Hogan and Eoghan Doughan, who nailed all but one of their nine first-half points (only two of those coming from play).

The Mines were getting more joy with Darragh and Conor McKelvey scoring, along with Oisin Murphy and Luke O’Brien. Jason Forde scored three first-half points from centre back, including one sublime trademark sideline cut in the 28th minute as they enjoyed a 1-8 to 0-9 half-time lead.

The second half was akin to the All-Ireland final though, with Moneygall completely flipping the script in the first ten minutes, scoring seven points in a row at the start of the half, and it was even more difficult for the Mines in the middle of that flurry after Ronan Sherlock received his marching orders for a high, frontal shoulder on Aodhán Ryan in the 36th minute.

All that considered, Moneygall took control of the game when they opened a 0-20 to 1-11 by the 50th minute, and when the impressive Eoghan Doughan finished to the net after a strong Joe Fogarty run a minute later, it looked all over bar the shouting.

However, Jason Forde moved up the field when the Mines needed scores, and he did temporarily throw the cats amongst the pigeons with the two late goals, but it was just too little too late for the Mines as Moneygall held on for a deserved victory.

Moneygall: Mark Fanning; Cathal Greene, Jack Kirwan, Roddy Teehan; Shay Gleeson, Brendan Toohey, Andy Hoolan; Adam Hogan (0-3, 0-2f), Aodhán Ryan; Cian Ryan (0-1), Sean Fogarty (0-2), Joe Fogarty; Eoghan Doughan (1-12, 0-7f), Tadgh Whyte (0-1), Sean Kenneally (0-2).

Subs used: Bob Kenny for A Ryan (36, blood sub - reversed 41); Bob Kenny (0-2) for T Whyte (41); Paddy Fogarty for C Ryan (50).

Silvermines: Conor Murphy; Sean McGrath, Ronan Sherlock, Darragh Nolan; Darragh McKelvey (0-1), Jason Forde (2-7, 2-5f, 0-1 sl-cut), Luke O’Brien (0-1); Bryan Seymour (0-1), Conor McKelvey (0-1); Oisin Murphy (0-1), Cynan Bailey, Sean Nolan; Cathal Treacy, Danny Quinn (1-1), Darragh Treacy.

Subs used: Adam Steed for D Nolan (HT); Pa Leamy for Bailey (45); Noel Quirke for Quinn (60).

Referee: Ciaran O’Donovan (Burgess)

READ NEXT: Tipperary Masters hurlers will travel to the South East next month for the All-Ireland decider