Huge controversy as late Jason Forde penalty sends Newport into relegation

FBD Insurance Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship - Group 3 - Round 3

Silvermines 3-12

Newport 1-16

Cometh the hour, cometh the hero and Jason Forde added another good day to his list of heroic days as his injury-time goal sealed victory for Silvermines when they defeated Newport in an exciting finish at Templederry last Saturday afternoon.

The injury time goal can help the beaten quarter-finalists in 2022 a winter of content now that their stay in Premier Intermediate grade is safe for the time being. Newport, meanwhile, will question themselves as to how they didn’t hold on to their lead after Tommy Floyd scored what we all thought was the winning goal as the hour mark passed.

They will also question how Silvermines forward Oisin Murphy remained on the field of play after what they suggest was a second yellow card offence when booked in the minutes approaching half time. They suggest he was booked earlier in the game but this scribe does not recall a yellow card offence but video men close by suggested he did receive a yellow when they reviewed the footage at half time.

It is immaterial now as Newport must journey relegation territory, a territory they have become familiar with as they contested the semi-final last year but survived with victory over Kiladangan who made the drop a few weeks later.

There were never more than two points separating the teams in the opening twenty minutes. Silvermines scored first through Oisin Murphy after two minutes before Cian Flanagan levelled two minutes later. Flanagan was Newport’s best player by a mile and his deliveries gave Newport the slight advantage but scoring chances were few and the Mulcaire boys had to depend on Conor O’Mahoney who picked off three good points from play while Colin Floyd scored three placed balls two frees and a 65 to make it 0-7 to 0-5 after 21 minutes.

Up to then Jason Forde was enjoying great freedom as sweeper as he set up another of his many clearances which found Niall Curran who was fouled in the large square. A penalty resulted but Forde’s shot was saved by Paul Hogan. Newport were relieved but still found themselves under more pressure as Mines began to find their feet which resulted in two Jason Forde frees (one 80-metre monster) while one each came from Conor McKelvey and Niall Curran who was recalled to the team at full forward.

The Silvermines defence were doing well also with Ronan Sherlock, Conor McKelvey and Darragh Nolan very prominent and Nolan’s well taken point narrowed the gap to one in the 26th minute but with Flanagan continuing to excel for Newport, the lead increased to three after Andrew Hickey and Pa Ryan each split the posts.

Michael Corcoran was another Silvermines player to really shine and his point in the 29th minute brought Silvermines within two of the leaders for the fourth time in the half. Silvermines next foray led to a timely goal when Mark Daniels pounced on a poor clearance to secure a well taken goal from twenty five metres leaving Mines 1-7 to 0-9 in front at the break.

Mines had the breeze in the second half and increased their lead through Orrie Quirke two minutes in. Newport replied with valuable points through Colin Floyd and Oran Connors to make parity for the third time in the game before Pa Leamy edged Mines in front in the 37th minute.

As both sides threaded carefully the game opened up in the 42nd minute when Andy Hayden pounced on a loose ball and had Paul Hogan beaten with the lead stretching to four for the first time.

Newport responded through two Colin Floyd frees but Mines were able to keep their head above water as a Jason Forde free made it 2-10 to 0-13 after Conor McKelvey was fouled near halfway.

Mines had further chances to increase their lead but their wides reached nine (seven to four at half time) and Newport soon took advantage as three Colin Floyd frees in six minutes had them level 2-10 to 0-16 and two minutes on the clock.

Michel Corcoran’s influence continued and his delivery found Jason Forde (now in attack) who moved Mines in front. Newport responded with purpose as Flanagan’s high delivery dropped to Oran Connors who forced David Shanahan to save before Tommy Floyd fired home the rebound for what looked like the winner as the game passed the hour mark.

Fourth official Philip Kelly signalled five minutes of added time and the drama continued with Newport under pressure again as Jason Forde pointed a free after Michael Corcoran was fouled. Corcoran was to the fore again as Mines in search of a possible winner and they could hardly believe their eyes when Forde was fouled outside the large square. The crowd watched as Forde went for power and the ball was suddenly in the Newport net for what was enough to be the match winner despite added time stretching to six minutes.

Silvermines: David Shanahan; Eddie Ryan (0-1), Ronan Sherlock, Darragh Nolan; Michael Hogan, Conor McKelvey (0-1), Noel Quirke; Orrie Quirke, Patrick Leamy (0-2); Mark Daniels (1-0), Michael Corcoran, Oisin Murphy; Jason Forde (1-8, 1-0 pen, 0-7f, 0-1 s-cut), Niall Curran, Danny Quinn.

Subs used: Andy Hayden (1-0) for Quinn (26); Willie Keogh for Murphy (32); Cathal Treacy for Hayden (45); Daniel Keogh for Leamy (55, inj); Darragh McKelvey for Curran (59).

Newport: Paul Hogan; Conor Hickey, Sean O’Brien, Andrew Hickey (0-1); Oisin O’Brien, Conor Floyd, Aidan Moloney; Peter O’Sullivan, Cian Flanagan (0-2); Keelan Floyd (0-1), Conor O’Mahony (0-3), Pa Ryan (0-1); Oran Connors (0-1), Aaron O’Neill, Colin Floyd (0-7, 0-5f, 0-1 65).

Subs used: Mike Quigley for O’Sullivan (29, inj); Tommy Floyd (1-0) for Aaron O’Neill (42); Daniel Ryan for P Ryan (51); Rob Houlihan for A Hickey (52); Lee Ryan for K Floyd (55).

Referee: Seamus Delaney (JK Brackens)