Jake Ryan sets up a Toomevara attack despite the attentions of Burgess' Brian Hogan. Photograph; Bridget Delaney

Toome’s Delaney makes Burgess pay the penalty

 
Toomevara  3-19
Burgess  1-15
 
Report: Liam Hogan in Nenagh
 
A penalty save by Robbie Delaney turned the game in Toomevara’s favour as they eventually shook off the challenge of Burgess to book their place in the County Senior Hurling Championship quarter final on Sunday evening.

Delaney’s save from Stephen Murray came in the 59th minute when Toome led by just two points. On clearing the danger, the greyhounds swept up-field with speed and Kenny Ryan pointed for a major shift in momentum as the lead was now at three instead of being down a point.

In the first half Murray was more successful with a penalty which helped Burgess to a 1-11 to 1-7 lead after his wind assisted side scored 1-3 without reply in injury time.

In an entertaining game, Danny Ryan put Burgess in front with a point after 36 seconds but Toome responded with a goal when Joey McLoughney’s long range free was deflected past goalkeeper Ronan Tucker.

The goal provided a cushion for Toomevara as both teams went score for score in the opening quarter with Burgess supplied by Kevin Nealon, Danny Ryan and a Murray free while scores from brothers Russell & Robbie Quirke plus one each from Kevin McCarthy and his namesake Mark before a second long range free from Joey McLoughney made it 1-5 to 0-4 just before the first water break.

On resuming both Stephen Murray (free) and Jack Delaney swapped scores before Danny Ryan picked up his third point in the 27th minute. Donagh Maher’s endless running paid off with a very good point for Burgess which was quickly followed by another Murray free before Kevin McCarthy doubled his tally on the half hour.

The Burgess takeover commenced with Murray’s splendidly struck penalty giving Delaney no chance. Tony Dunne followed up with a point thanks to an assist from Donagh Maher before Murray finished the half with a brace of frees to see Burgess four to the good at half time, 1-11 to 1-7.

Toomevara brought Paul Ryan at half time and he was quickly off the mark with a point before he scored a goal. Another McLoughney free had the teams’ level a minute later before Jason Ryan gave Toome the lead with a long-range score.
The scores were coming fast and furious. Donagh Maher levelled matters in the 42nd minute before Tony Dunne gave Burgess the lead. Another McLoughney free had the team’s level in the 45th minute with Dunne and Mark McCarthy then trading points inside the next minute.

Toomevara should have been ahead at this stage but their wides were mounting (finished with 18) but Paul Ryan and the evergreen David Young made amends with a point each. Two minutes later Robbie Delaney denied Murray with a good save before Toome cleared for Russell Quirke to put David Young through for a point.

At the other end Tony Dunne linked up with Donagh Maher who scored which was Burgess last score after 53 minutes.
Kenny Ryan left the subs bench to score almost immediately as Toome were upping the gears as McLoughney (free), Kenny Ryan and Paul Ryan picking off their points. Another sub, Alan Ryan was quick off the mark to register Toome’s third goal in the 62nd minute before adding a point a minute later to seal a god win.

Incredibly the three Toomevara substitutes Paul, Alan and Kenny Ryan scored 2-5 from play which was a match-winning contribution. The bench certainly worked while Joey McLoughney was Toome’s best with Jason Ryan, and Josh McCarthy holding their own at half back in a back line that gave too much room to the likes of Tony Dunne and Danny Ryan who scored three points each. On the inside line Andrew Ryan at full back plus Liam & Jake Ryan never put a foot wrong. Andrew Ryan had his hands full with Bill O’Flaherty who won two penalties while Robert Delaney was sound in goal.
 
The evergreen Shane Maher played another outstanding game at full back for Burgess. Johnny Mulqueen, Tadgh O’Halloran, and Jack Flaherty fought well. Donagh Maher led the way at midfield but except for occasional glimpses of good hurling, the forward line were never a real serious threat to the Toome defence except Danny Ryan and Tony Dunne and Bill O’Flaherty deserves a mention as above. 
 
MATCH DIGEST
Player of the Match:
Joey McLoughney (Toomevara)
Toomevara: Robert Delaney (8); Liam Ryan (7), Andrew Ryan (7), Jake Ryan (7); Jason Ryan (7), Joey McLoughney (1-4f, 8), Josh McCarthy (7); Jack Delaney (0-1, 6), Robbie Quirke (0-1, 7); Willie Coffey (6), Conor O’Meara (6), David Young (0-2, 7); Russell Quirke (0-1, 7), Mark McCarthy (0-2, 6); Kevin McCarthy (0-2, 6).
Subs: Paul Ryan (1-2, 7) for O’Meara (HT); Kenny Ryan (0-2, 7) for J Delaney (43 inj); Alan Ryan (1-1, 7) for Young (60+2).
Burgess: Ronan Tucker (6); Willie Ryan (7), Shane Maher (7), Daire Hogan (7); Johnny Mulqueen (7), Jack Flaherty (7), Tadgh O’Halloran (7); Donagh Maher (0-3, 8), Keith Nealon (0-1, 6); Danny Ryan (0-3, 7), Tony Dune (0-3, 8), Stephen Murray (1-5, 1-0 pen, 0-5f) 6); Conor Gill (0-1, 6), Bill O’Flaherty (7), Stephen Kirwan (6).
Subs: Eoin Hogan (6) for Nealon (45); Pat Woods (6) for Kirwan (52).
Referee: Seamus Delaney (JK Brackens).