Slow start proves costly for Silvermines who fall at the All-Ireland semi-final hurdle

All Ireland Junior B Hurling Series Semi-Final

Silvermines 2-9 

Tommy Larkins 2-10

By Michael McCarthy

Silvermines’ brave second-half resurgence fell just short on Saturday afternoon in Raheenagh as the Tipperary champions were edged out by the minimum, 2-10 to 2-9, by Galway’s Tommy Larkins in the All-Ireland Junior B Hurling Series semi-final.

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Playing with a stiff breeze blowing away from the dressing rooms in Raheenagh, Tommy Larkins made full use of the elements in a dominant opening half. 

They were sharp from the throw-in and had built a three-point cushion by the 18th minute before Silvermines finally opened their account through Brian Leamy. 

Scores were hard-earned for the Mines, and by the 29th minute, Ronan Cunnane’s free, their second point of the half, left them trailing by 0-7 to 0-2.

The contest turned decisively in first-half injury time. With Tommy Larkins leading 0-07 to 0-02, Fahey rifled to the bottom right-hand corner of the net, and barely 60 seconds later Joe Dervan struck for a second goal. 

In the blink of an eye, the margin ballooned to 2-7 to 0-2, a 13-point interval deficit that looked insurmountable.

If the first half belonged entirely to the Galway and Leinster champions, the second was all Silvermines. A half-time reshuffle saw Dan Ryan introduced, with Seán Spillane making way, and the impact was immediate.

After Orrie Quirke opened the half with a point, Ryan goaled on 33 minutes to ignite belief. Willie Keogh and David Shanahan added points as the gap began to narrow.

With twenty minutes remaining, the introduction of Ger Leamy added further impetus. Quirke clipped another, Shanahan converted a free, and suddenly there were only five between them.

As injury time approached, Quirke and Shanahan again found their range to leave four in it before Seán Ryan Prenderville blasted home a dramatic goal to cut the deficit to a single point.

Despite a huge push in the closing moments, Silvermines could not manufacture the equaliser, and the final whistle confirmed heartbreak. 

Evan Madden was outstanding for Tommy Larkins, keeping Ronan Cunnane scoreless from play, while Cathal Gleeson led by example at centre-back for the Mines, with Orrie Quirke and David Shanahan’s free-taking excellent in a comeback that very nearly produced the impossible.

Silvermines: David Shanahan (0-3f); Ben Claffey, Eddie Ryan, Sean Ryan Prenderville (1-0); Eoin Seymour, Cathal Gleeson, Tiarnan Flynn; Patrick Steed, Orrie Quirke (0-3, 0-2f); Niall Curran, Willie Keogh (0-1), Ciarán Timmons; Ronan Cuneen (0-1f), Brian Leamy (0-1), Sean Spillane.

Subs used: Dan Ryan (1-0); Ger Leamy; Eamonn Corcoran; Danny Keogh; Sean Murphy; Luke O’Connor; Fionn Ryan Mulqueen; Mark Leamy; Kieran Fogarty; John Ryan; Cathal McGrath.

Tommy Larkins: Dara Starr; Evan Madden, Shane Kelly, John Larkin; Shane Whyte, Jack Sheil, Gearoid Hanley; Eoin Forde, Adam Page; Jamie O’Donnell, Joe Dervan, Eoin Fahy; Kevin Hooban, Shane O’Grady, Donal Keane. 

Subs used: David Flynn; Ruairí Keane; Barry Tierney; Ryan Daniels; Jack Donohoe; Nathan Flaherty, Luke Page; David Hickey; David Page; Mark Leonard; Aaron Daniels; Mary Hooban; Martin Ryan; Ryan Loughrey; Cathal O’Hehir; Stephen Fahy.

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