Silvermines fall over the line to win North Junior B hurling title at the expense of Newport

The Watch Centre North Tipperary Junior B Hurling Championship Final

Silvermines 2-14 

Newport 0-18 

After Extra Time

By James Hayden 

A superb Silvermines side surged clear in extra-time to capture the North Tipperary Junior ‘B’ hurling title following a hugely entertaining clash with a battling Newport side in Puckane on Saturday evening last.

Extra time was required to separate the sides after Silvermines struck late deep in injury time to deny the men from the banks of the Mulcair a solitary-point victory.

Arguably, Newport were presented with the chance to seal victory in extra time but a missed penalty opportunity and four missed frees from scorable positions hampered their efforts while the Mines’ fired over four additional points to clinch a hard-fought two-point victory.

Silvermines were gunning for only their third-ever title at this grade and aiming to bridge a four-year gap since their last title in 2020 while Newport were seeking to add a sixth title to their roll of honour with their last victory coming in 2017.

Having overcome Knockshegowna in the semi-final Newport went into this encounter buoyed by their win over the reigning champions. At the same time, Silvermines netted two late goals to oust a fancied Ballina side in their semi-final.

The ‘Mines were forced to plan without the injured Sean Murphy and Ben Claffey while the influential and experienced Niall Curran was recovering from a bout of illness but still played a pivotal role in extra time for Declan Nolan’s charges.

Despite the enforced changes, the Silvermines drew first blood with Daniel Keogh and Ronan Cunneen knifing over two impressive points in five minutes. Newport responded with the first of eleven points from placed balls from freetaker, Stephen Coffey before two further points on the bounce from Darragh Gavin and Coffey (free) edged Newport into an early ninth-minute lead.

Ronan Cunneen, who impressed throughout, levelled up proceedings with a sweetly struck free before Newport took a grip on proceedings. Dara Meaney, Stephen Coffey (65’), and Calum Poole all bisected the ‘Mines uprights to fire Newport into a 0-6 to 0-3 lead before the ‘Mines moved to curb the growing influence of Newport’s Martin Carey at midfield.

Ronan Cunneen arrowed over an 18th-minute free for the ‘Mines before Martin Carey delivered a high looping ball into Niall Duffy and he fired over Newport’s seventh point to maintain a three-point advantage for his side. 

The ‘Mines had their opportunities to counter but a raft of wides dented their aspirations before a Stephen Collins free late in the half put four between the sides as the interval approached.

At this juncture Newport were odds on to take an interval lead to the dressing room but when Newport corner-back Damien O’Brien was caught in possession as he surged clear with the sliotar it provided the perfect opening for the ‘Mines. 

Sean Spillane’s quick delivery was gathered by Ronan Cunneen on an angled run and his strike low to Mike Flannery’s left fired the ‘Mines right back into contention, 1-4 to 0-8.  The mercurial Willie Keogh then popped over a leveling point deep in injury time to leave it all square at the break, 1-5 to 0-8.

With little of no breeze to contend with the ‘Mines edged in front with a 33rd-minute Sean Spillane free before efforts from Stephen Coffey (two frees) and the free-running Dan Ryan saw the momentum swing back in favour of the Newport men.

Silvermines were struggling at this juncture but Ronan Cunneen kept his side in touch with a difficult free from a tight angle close to the stand side before a booming long-range Stephen Coffey free edged Newport into a two-point lead on 40 minutes.

Silvermines enforced a double substitution in a bid to add impetus to their flagging attack with Brian Leamy and Niall Curran drafted into the fray. Curran’s impact was immediate, breaking down David Shanahan’s free out of defence to the inrushing Daniel Keogh and he rattled the back of the Newport net with aplomb.

Daithí Whelton and Daniel Keogh both fired over impressive points for their respective sides before successive Stephen Coffey frees saw Newport wrestle back the lead once more, 0-15 to 2-8. 

With scoreboard issues causing confusion for both sides referee Pat O’Mahony clarified the one-point lead for James Collins’ side but the ‘Mines were going nowhere and up stepped the impressive Peter Kennedy with a game-levelling point as both sides battled hard for supremacy.

Newport dug deep once more with Stephen Coffey (free) expertly edging them back in front right on full-time before Ronan Cunneen displayed nerves of steel to send the tie to extra-time after Paudie Fogarty was dragged to the ground in front of goal., 2-10 to 0-16.

Newport were afforded a massive opportunity to seize an early extra-time initiative after Stephen Coffey was pulled down on route to the goal following an incisive Dan Ryan delivery. 

Coffey stepped up to take the resulting penalty but David Shanahan, who was outstanding throughout between the posts for the Silvermines, pulled off yet another fantastic save to deny the men in purple and gold.

The penalty save served to imbue the ‘Mines with added resolve and they fought a fantastic rearguard action with Diarmuid Brennan, Sean Ryan Prendiville, Cathal McGrath, and Eoin Seymour impressive in defence. 

Points from Ronan Cunneen (free) and Niall Curran edged the ‘Mines into a two-point lead to ensure they led by 2-12 to 0-16 at half-time in extra-time.

Newport were not going to ‘die soft’ though and they mustered the resolve to narrow the gap to just a single point twice in the second period of extra time with Stephen Coffey and Brian Tobin both on target while Sean Spillane ensured Silvermines kept noses in front with a fantastic effort from range.

In what proved a thrilling finale Newport were presented with two frees to level but Stephen Coffey’s efforts just tailed to the wrong side of the uprights before Ronan Cunneen popped up once more with a late point to seal a hard-earned yet fully deserved victory for the men from the foothills of Sliabh Ciamaltha.

Silvermines now march on to the county quarter-finals as North champions but Newport will also get a shot at redemption in what will prove a hugely interesting race for the much coveted Tim Maher Cup.

Silvermines: David Shanahan; Diarmuid Brennan, Sean Ryan Prendiville, William Murphy; Cathal McGrath, Eoin Seymour, Sean McGrath; Cynan Bailey, Peter Kennedy (0-1); Daniel Keogh (1-2), Sean Spillane (0-2), John Ryan; Ronan Cunneen (1-7, 0-5f); Willie Keogh (0-1), Daniel Ryan.

Subs used: Niall Curran (0-1) for J Ryan (41); Brian Leamyfor D Ryan (41); Conor McGrath for Spillane (46); Paudie Fogarty for S McGrath (53); Eamon Corcoran for Murphy (ET); Sean Spillane for W Keogh (ET); Sean McGrath for Corcoran (ET).

Newport: Michael Flannery; Keith Hogan, John Lee, Damien O’Brien; Dara Meaney (0-1), Andrew Hickey, Daithí Whelton (0-1); Martin Carey, Dan Ryan (0-1); Calum Poole (0-1), Niall Duffy (0-1) Brian Tobin (0-1); James Moloney, Darragh Gavin (0-1); Stephen Coffey (0-11, 0-10f, 0-1 65).

Subs used: Eoghan Flynn for Tobin (38); Emmet Floyd for Gavin (46); James Tobin for Moloney (54); Brian Tobin for Duffy (ET).

Referee: Pat O’Mahony (Kiladangan)