Strong Newport finish sees off Burgess

GAA: FBD Insurance County Premier Intermediate Championship Group 1

Newport 3-17

Burgess 2-16

Report: James Hayden in Nenagh

A strong Newport finish saw them past Burgess in an absorbing County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship clash on Sunday.

Newport’s four-point victory catapults them right back into contention after an opening round loss to St. Mary’s but they were made fight for it all the way by a resilient Burgess side, who despite not having the lion’s share of opening half possession led by two at the break.

However, the introduction of the experienced Conor O’Mahony at the interval, coupled with the impact of second-half substitutes, Oran Connors and Peter O’Sullivan, proved crucial for the fortunes of the men from the banks of the Mulcair with O’Mahony involved in the creation and execution of two of Newport’s three second-half goals.

Newport raced into an early three-point advantage with thanks to a brace of Darragh Carroll frees, coupled with a Thomas Floyd point before Burgess opened their account on eight minutes following an impressive Stephen Kirwan effort after he gathered Johnny Mulqueen’s cleverly struck sideline cut and knifed over.

Kealan Floyd and Danny Ryan traded points before a Stephen Murray free left just one point between the sides with sixteen minutes elapsed. Cian Flanagan, who had a tremendous day in the purple and gold, opened the gap to two again with a sublime effort after he gathered Pa Ryan’s incisive pass.

Michael Ryan and the dangerous Daniel Carew raised white flags but Newport’s early dominance was beginning to wane at this juncture though and two quick-fire Stephen Murray frees suddenly had Brian Hogan’s charges back on terms.

A third free on the bounce on 22 minutes fired Burgess into the lead before Burgess were dealt a blow after midfielder Daire Hogan was forced off following an accidental blow of the sliotar to the head. Burgess also took the opportunity to re-jig their attack with Johnny Ryan making way for the introduction of Eoin Grace at full-forward.

When hostilities resumed it was Burgess who found their range again after Eoin Hogan set up Danny Ryan for a well-worked score. Tadhg O’Halloran extended the advantage to three on the cusp of half-time before Darragh Carroll responded with an injury-time point to see Newport trail by just two at the break.

Burgess exploded into life after the re-start with Eoin Grace seizing upon a loose Newport handpass out of defence and flashed the sliotar first time past the advancing Paul Hogan in the Newport goal.

Both sides quickly rattled over two points apiece with Cian Flanagan on target for both Newport points while Stephen Murray and Stephen Kirwan were the ones to add to the Burgess tally. Eoin Hogan extended his side’s advantage to six after Stephen Murray tapped a quickly-taken free.

Newport responded once more though with Ronan Tucker pulling off a fantastic point-blank save from Daniel Carew. Carew fired over a resulting placed ball though, after the Burgess goalkeeper was penalised for lying on the sliotar.

Leading by six, Burgess appeared to be in control before a 45th minute Stephen Murray free which appeared to be marginally inside the left hand upright, was signalled wide much to the annoyance of the Burgess side-line.

Cue then the Newport surge! Darragh Carroll arrowed over a 46th minute free before Conor O’Mahony set up Daniel Carew for Newport’s opening goal. Burgess responded with Eoin Grace bagging his second goal after fetching Stephen Kirwan’s high looping delivery, 2-13 to 1-11.

The goal-fest continued with Newport surging back up-field and it was Pa Ryan who turned provider for the in-rushing Daniel Carew.

With the tempo now ratcheted up a few notches, Burgess hit back with a Stephen Murray free before back to back efforts from Odran Floyd and Colin Floyd left just the bare minimum between the sides.

Newport kept coming at Burgess with Conor O’Mahony unceremoniously dragged down after finding himself clean through on the Burgess goal. Referee, Conor Doyle brandished the yellow card to full-back, Kieran Ryan while Daniel Carew gratefully tapped over the close-range free to level proceedings.

With the sides now all-square it was a sprint to the finish line but while Burgess were still in the blocks, Newport surged clear thanks to a 58th minute Conor O’Mahony goal.

Burgess did their utmost to muster a response but excellent points from Kealan Floyd and Colin Floyd hampered effectively culled any semblance of a comeback. Oran Connors added Newport’s final point in injury-time to copper-fasten a hard earned yet deserved victory over a Burgess side that must now beat St. Mary’s in their final group game as well as hope other results go their way to make the quarter finals.

Newport were full value for their victory with Cian Flanagan, Kealan Floyd, Colin Floyd, Daniel Carew, Conor O’Mahony and Odran Floyd all catching the eye while Johnny Mulqueen, Danny Ryan, Eoin Grace, Keith Nealon, Stephen Kirwan and Stephen Murray caught the eye for Burgess.

Player of the Match: Cian Flanagan (Newport)

Newport: Paul Hogan (7); Conor Hickey (7), Robert Houlihan (7), Jordan Young (7); Aidan Ryan (7), Conor Floyd (7), Odran Floyd (0-1, 7); Cian Flanagan (0-3, 7), Kealan Floyd (0-2, 8); Aidan Moloney (6), Darragh Carroll (0-4f, 7), Pa Ryan (7); Thomas Floyd (0-1, 7), Colin Floyd (0-2, 7), Daniel Carew (2-3 (0-2f), 8).

Subs: Conor O’Mahony (1-0, 7) for Moloney (HT); Oran Connors (0-1, 7) for T Floyd (35); Peter Sullivan (7) for Carroll (46).

Burgess: Ronan Tucker (8); Pat Woods (7), Kieran Ryan (7), Paddy Hogan (7); Donagh Maher (7), Keith Nealon (0-1, 7), Johnny Mulqueen (7); Danny Ryan (0-2, 8), Daire Hogan (6); Stephen Kirwan (0-3, 7), Tadgh O’Halloran (0-1, 6), Eoin Hogan (0-1,7); Stephen Murray (0-6, 5f), 7), Johnny Ryan (6), Micheál Ryan (0-1, 6).

Subs: Jack O’Flaherty (7) for D Hogan (25 inj); Eoin Grace (2-0, 8) for J Ryan (25); Bill O’Flaherty (0-1, 6) for O’Halloran (55); Willie Ryan (NR) for Woods (60).

Referee: Conor Doyle (Silvermines).