Burgess hold their nerve to see off the ‘Mines

GAA: Savvy Kitchens North Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter Final

Burgess 3-19

Silvermines 1-19

Report: Liam Hogan in Nenagh

Burgess’ greater ability to prize open a defence was the difference as they progressed to the semi-finals of the North Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship at the expense of Silvermines on Saturday afternoon.

Burgess looked winners from an early stage but in the closing stages they had at their best to stave off their neighbours who outscored them 0-7 to 0-4 in the last quarter.

Prior to then, Burgess led 3-15 to 1-12 after Bill O’Flaherty scored his sides third goal in the 47th minute. They led 2-8 to 0-9 at half time after the winners greater all round fifteen had leaders in Donagh Maher, Johnny Mulqueen Jack O’Flaherty, Daire Hogan, Stephen Kirwan, and Eoin Hogan.

Donagh Maher was the real gem as the former Tipp star produced a man of the match performance. His flicks and link ups were a joy to watch as he used all his experience to cover vast areas of the pitch over the sixty odd minutes.

The opening eighteen minutes saw scores level on two occasions, the second time at 0-6 each when Eoin Hogan levelled after Jason Forde had given the ‘Mines the lead for the first and only time.

A Stephen Murray free (his third) gave Burgess the lead after twenty-two minutes, and one minute later he was at the end of a well-worked move involving Keith Nealon and Stephen Kirwan for Murray to find the net.

Silvermines kept in touch thanks to scores from Patrick Leamy and Oisin Murphy before Burgess spliced through the ‘Mines cover again when Donagh Maher had his teams’ second goal after strong work by Bill O’Flaherty outside the large square. Eoin Hogan moved Burgess six in front before Jason Forde’s free brought an end to the half at 2-8 to 0-9.

The lead increased to six after Murray pointed a 65 in the 37th minute, the start of a four point unanswered run leaving Burgess nine clear, 2-14 to 0-11, after 40 minutes. Forde and Murray swapped frees before Conor McKelvey found the back of the Burgess net in the 43rd minute following good work by Andrew Hayden and Forde.

Just as we thought the ‘Mines could recover their defence was caught napping again when Stephen Murray was well placed but Donagh Maher’s well intentioned pass was just out of reach.

However, another Burgess attack in the 47th minute was more precise when Bill O’Flaherty won a high ball from Johnny Mulqueen before beating off the ‘Mines defence and found the net.

Silvermines reacted very well as Michael Corcoran, Darragh McKelvey and Patrick Leamy did everything possible to keep them in the game as two frees by Jason Forde had them seven adrift with twelve minutes remaining.

Stephen Kirwan made it eight when scoring from play before Jason Forde pointed a free which was the start of a positive ‘Mines run when they cut the deficit to four after Ger Leamy, Oisin Murphy and Forde each scored from play as the scoreline read 3-16 to 1-18, with six minutes remaining.

Burgess remained cool and regained lost ground as two Murray frees eased their worries, the second after the highly industrious Michael Ryan was fouled. The ever present Orrie Quirke pulled one back for the ‘Mines but Donagh Maher had the final say as he spilt the posts and ensured his team was in the last four and a clash with Newport.

Player of the Match: Donagh Maher (Burgess)

Burgess: Ronan Tucker (7); Pat Woods (6), Kieran Ryan (6), Willie Ryan (6); Jack O’Flaherty (7), Johnny Mulqueen (0-2, 7), Keith Nealon (6); Danny Ryan (6), Daire Hogan (7); Michael Ryan (0-2, 7), Stephen Kirwan (0-1, 7), Stephen Murray (1-10, 0-8f, 0-1 65) 7); Eoin Hogan (0-3, 8), Bill O’Flaherty (1-0, 7), Donagh Maher (1-1, 8).

Sub: Kieran Grace (6) for Nealon (33 inj).

Silvermines: David Shanahan (6); Edward Ryan (7), Danny Quinn (6), Ger Leamy (0-1, 6); Darragh Nolan (6), Michael Corcoran (6), Darragh McKelvey (7); Luke O’Brien (6), Patrick Leamy (0-1, 7); Conor McKelvey (1-1, 7), Oisin Murphy (0-4, 7), Sean Spillane (6); Andrew Hayden (7), Orrie Quirke (0-1, 6), Jason Forde (0-11, 9f, 8).

Subs: Peter Kennedy (6) for Spillane (HT); Cathal Treacy (6) for D Quinn (48).

Referee: Tom McGlinchey (Newport).