Ballina trump Burgess for second time in five days

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship

Ballina 3-16

Burgess 0-21

Report: Liam Hogan at Kenyon Park, Templederry

A 2-5 burst in the opening ten minutes of the second half helped Ballina defeat neighbours Burgess in an exciting County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 3 opener on Friday evening.

Just like the North final meeting the previous Sunday, Ballina impressed with speed and stickwork as Michael Breen, Tom Shanahan, Jack Collins, Billy Collins, Josh Egan, and Charlie King had all the tricks to fashion the win with King edging it for man of the match, scoring 1-3. In fact, King, Josh Egan, and Matthew Power scored 2-6 from play making is a tough evening for Burgess inside backline.

Just five days after the North final, it was shoulders to the wheel and Burgess had Donagh Maher available in place of the injured Keith Nealon; however, 21 minutes in Maher was replaced with their bench tested as late in the half they had captain Bill O’Flaherty replaced by Eoin Hogan.

Ballina corner back Paul McKeogh failed to start but his replacement Michael Grace, back from long term injury, certainly didn’t let the side down while Steven O’Brien, who saw ten minutes in the North final, failed to see any action as Paddy Bradley produced another good day’s work in his absence.

Burgess played with the breeze in the first half and made a good start, going 0-7 to 0-3 in front by the tenth minute after Stephen Murray scored a 65, his third point including two frees, with Stephen Kirwan and David Nealon adding two each including a wonder point by Nealon. Just like the North final, Nealon was a constant thorn in the side of the Ballina defence and similarly the Burgess half-back line of Tony Dunne, Johnny Mulqueen and Michael Ryan did all they could.

In the meantime, Ballina were in no mood to panic. Breen, Terry O’Halloran, and Grace were beginning to take command. A few defence splitting runs by David Kelly and Bradley had Burgess worried and they were back the game when Bradley took it on himself to score a goal from close range despite having to avoid two defenders.

The very industrious Eoin Grace caused problems in the middle sector as Burgess were three in front after Murray was unerring in the 20th minute. Michael Breen doubled his account, as did Kieran Grace, as the teams swapped scores before Josh Egan and Michael Power (free) had Ballina one in arrears at half time, 0-13 to 1-9.

Points by Billy Collins and Charlie King had Ballina in front three minutes after the resumption. Mathew Power added two more, the first from a 65 before Josh Egan scored a goal after help from Charlie King. Seconds later, Michael Breen’s clearance found King and suddenly Ballina were seven clear after forty minutes.

Burgess enjoyed the next five-minute spell with two Murray frees either side of a third Nealon point. Ballina had other ideas, and they were seven in front again after Charlie King goaled after a route one clearance by Jack Collins led to Matthew Power turning provider.

Yet, Burgess came knocking again. The hard-working Eoin Hogan won a free and Murray pointed. The puckout by Simon Grace was intercepted by Hogan who did not need a second invitation as the margin was back to four after another Murray free, 3-14 to 0-19.

Burgess continued to press but the Ballina defence stood firm and in the 59th minute Breen and Jack Collins turned provider for Charlie King to point with super sub Cathal O’Donnell adding another to go six clear once more.

Not happy to let things rest, Burgess swept down the field again, but Simon Grace produced a wonder save in getting down low to Stephen Kirwan’s first-time ground shot. The pressure continued and two injury time points by Murray (free) and Daire Hogan kept score difference respectful, which might be important come the end of the group stage but on this evening, Ballina had done enough.

Player of the Match: Charlie King (Ballina)

Ballina: Simon Grace (8); Michael Grace (8), Michael Breen (0-2, 8), David Coughlan (6); Zak Egan (7), Jack Collins (8), Terry O’Halloran (7); David Kelly (7), Thomas Shanahan (8); Charlie King (1-3, 8), Billy Collins (0-1, 7), Brian Bourke (7); Josh Egan (1-1, 7), Paddy Bradley (1-1, 7), Matthew Power (0-7, 4f, 1 ’65) 8).

Subs: Cathal O’Donnell (0-1, 7) for B Collins (46); Eoghan Power (7) for Bourke (51); JP Mbokha Tansia (NR) for J Egan (60); Paul McKeogh (NR) for Bradley (60).

Burgess: Ronan Tucker (7); Donagh Maher (6), Kieran Ryan (6), Willie Ryan (6); Michael Ryan (7), Tony Dunne (7), Johnny Mulqueen (7); Daire Hogan (7), Kieran Grace (8); Stephen Kirwan (0-2, 7), Stephen Murray (0-10, 7f, 1 ’65) 7), Diarmuid O’Donoghue (6); David Nealon (0-3, 8), Bill O’Flaherty (0-1, 6), Kieran Grace (0-3, 7).

Subs: Conor Grace (6) for Maher (21 inj); Eoin Hogan (0-1, 7) for O’Flaherty (29); Aidan O’Dwyer (6) for W Ryan (43); Bill O’Flaherty for E Grace (57).

Referee: John Dooley (Thurles Gaels).