Silvermines have their day with impressive county final dismissal of Thurles Sarsfields

FBD Insurance Junior B Hurling Championship Final

Silvermines 2-14

Thurles Sarsfields 0-10

By Michael Dundon

Silvermines turned on the style in the last quarter to completely outplay Thurles Sarsfields in the FBD Insurance County Junior B Hurling Championship final at Holycross on Sunday, thereby bridging a 28 year gap since their last success in the grade.

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Beaten finalists last year, The Mines made no mistake this time. Apart from a ten minute spell in the first half when Sarsfields registered six points without reply, the North champions were the better side, and while the winning margin of ten points flattered them somewhat, the merit of their win was never in dispute.

Sarsfields last won this title in 2022 and had shown impressive form en route to the final but their last quarter collapse, was hard to fathom. 

Lar Corbett’s point in the 37th minute had them ahead 0-10 to 1-6 and well-placed to succeed but a brace of long-range points by Silvermines goalkeeper David Shanahan put them ahead and they never looked back as the Thurles challenge disintegrated.

Originally fixed for both Templemore and Borrisoleigh, both of which were ruled out because of weather, the Holycross pitch, though very heavy, held up well as an entertaining contest unfolded. 

Silvermines got the ideal start with Eamon Corcoran’s goal after five minutes and with scores at a premium they were 1-1 to 0-1 ahead, Mark Lanigan got Sarsfields opening point after 12 minutes.

Then came Sarsfields’ best spell of the afternoon as they hit six points without reply through Dylan Burke (3 frees), Willie Tierney (2), and Bill Darcy to go 0-7 to 1-1 ahead and looked to be on course for a win despite missing some very favourable point chances.

Silvermines finished the half the stronger. With former senior Orrie Quirke having a stormer, and hitting four points from play, they trailed by just a point at the break, points from Dylan Burke and Willie Tiermey keeping Sarsfields noses in front, 0-9 to 1-5.

Silvermines had the favour of the breeze in the second half but an unproductive third quarter saw each side register just one point, Sean Spillane for The Mines and Lar Corbett for Sars. 

However from now on Silvermines took control. David Shanahan levelled from a free inside his own half and repeated the strike in the fiftieth minute to put the North champions in front 1-8 to 0-10.

Stillanybody’s game it seemed but, inexplicably, Sarsfields’ resistance crumbled. Sean Spillane pointed for Silvermines who then had a goal from Gerard Leamy, followed by a Cathal Gleeson point to go 2-10 to 0-10 clear with six minutes left on the clock. 

Sarsfields needed a goal but lar Corbett failed to make proper connection with a good chance and with that went their hopes of a late rally as Silvermines, their confidence soaring, had another brace of long-range pointed frees from goalie Shanahan to which Orrie Quirke and Sean Spillane added white-flags, to bring the curtain down on a great day for the club.

Having lost to Cappawhite in last year’s final Silvermines were well fancied to succeed and justified that confidence with an impressive display. 

Their late surge was due in part to their use of their subs bench, a factor in their campaign all year, and they will now go forward to represent Tipp in the Munster arena with grounds for optimism about further silverware. 

Veteran Orrie Quirke won the man of the match award, his five points from play, four of them in the first half when the pressure was on, a huge contribution to the success. 

Not far behind was goalie David Shanahan whose long-range points from frees also played a big part in the win. Sean Spillane, team captain Eddie Ryan, Ciaran Timmons, and Michael Hogan were others to shine.

Sarsfields late collapse was disappointing but overall they can have no complaint. Except for that ten minute spell in the first half, they never moved with the fluency of previous encounters and their attack, with the exception of Willie Tierney, and to a lesser extent the hard-working Cathal McElgun, made little impression. 

At back, James Lloyd, Ciaran Woodlock and Paddy Stakelum worked very hard while goalkeeper Jamie Stapleton also had a good game.

Scorers: Silvermines: Orrie Quirke 0-5, David Shanahan (0-4f), Sean Spillane 0-3, Eamon Corcoran, Ger Leamy 1-0 each, Cathal Gleeson, Ronan Cunneen 0-1 each.

Thurles Sarsfields: Dylan Burke (0-4, 0-3f), Willie Tierney 0-3, Bill Darcy, Mark Lanigan, Lar Corbett 0-1 each.

Silvermines: David Shanahan; Ben Claffey, Eddie Ryan, Tiernan Flynn; Michael Hogan, Cathal Gleeson, Sean Murphy; Eoin Seymour, Orrie Quirke; Sean Spillane, William Keogh, Ciaran Timmons; Ronan Cunneen, Eamon Corcoran, Patrick Steed. 

Subs used: Niall Curran for Keogh; Gerard Leamy for Corcoran; Brian Leamy for Cunneen; Daniel Ryan for Seymour; Sean Ryan Prenderville for Gleeson.

Thurles Sarsfields: Jamie Stapleton; Ciaran Woodlock, Paddy Carroll, James Lloyd; Paddy Stakelum, Bill Darcy, Urban Nolan; John Maher, Cian Treacy; Cathal McElgun, Willie Tierney, David Keogh; Mark Lanigan, Dylan Burke, Lar Corbett.

Subs used: Kieran Purcell for Maher; David Burke for Lanigan; Peter Wall for Keogh; Barry McCormack for Tierney; Peter Maher for Dylan Burke.

Referee: Johnny Butler (Upperchurch Drombane)

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