Moneygall look up as Burgess look down

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 3 Round 3

Moneygall 2-24

Burgess 3-17

Report: Liam Hogan at St Michael’s Park, Toomevara

Moneygall survived a late Burgess rally on Saturday to maintain their unbeaten County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship run, while also ensuring a place in the knockout stage with their opponents facing into a relegation battle.

Moneygall were full value for the win as an inspired Joe Fogarty and Adam Hogan led them to victory as their greater all-round scoring power saw them move clear before a consolation goal put the scoreboard in a better light for Burgess.

How the tables have turned almost full circle in the weeks since Burgess defeated Moneygall in the North semi-final as the latter appear to have acclimatised to the Premier Intermediate grade.

For Burgess, this game was ideal preparation for the forthcoming relegation series while they had an eye on admin problems as they successfully appealed the suspension of Eoin Hogan who was dismissed in the round two clash with Upperchurch/Drombane while they suffered the loss of goalkeeper Ronan Tucker who received a straight red that day.

Oisin Tucker stood in for his brother but received a baptism of fire in the first half as Moneygall were 1-3 to 0-2 in front by the seventh minute. Eoghan Doughan was the goal-scorer from a penalty after Sean Kenneally was fouled in the square.

Stephen Murray was the only Burgess player to score in the opening quarter with his fourth free bringing them within three, 0-4 to 1-4, but Moneygall were gaining inch by inch as Joe Fogarty and Adam Hogan covered many blades of glass to see Moneygall move further in front with Doughan with three frees, Adam Hogan 0-2 (1 free) and Bob Kenny help move the margin to nine after 25 minutes.

Whatever trouble Burgess had was easily dealt with by Jack Kirwan, Roddy Teehan, and Brendan Toohey, in front of their new goalkeeper Kevin McCormack who replaced the injured Mark Fanning.

Burgess had to rely on Stephen Murray for scores and he broke the sequence with his fifth in the 26th minute before Moneygall upped another gear and land three more points through Kenny, Doughan, and Adam Hogan.

The eleven-point advantage looked pretty aw Oisin Tucker had to be alert when saving a low shot by Bob Kenny but Burgess responded and an injury time goal by Kieran Grace left the half time score at 1-13 to 1-5.

With Bob Kenny’s goal in the 33rd minute, Moneygall were eleven in front once more but Burgess fought back and thanks to the efforts of Johnny Mulqueen, Kieran Ryan, and Daire Hogan as they outscored their opponents 0-5 to 0-3 with Kieran Grace (2) and three Murray frees, while Paddy Fogarty and the excellent Sean Kenneally picking up timely Moneygall scores to help maintain their lead which stood at nine after 42 minutes.

However, Burgess were far from done yet and Stephen Kirwan’s goal a minute later had the margin back to six before points by Tony Dunne and David Nealon left four separating the sides.

Another foul on a busy Kenneally saw Adam Hogan convert close to the left touchline before Moneygall went eight in front after points from Adam Hogan (2 frees) and Tadgh Whyte.

A long range free by David Nealon plus another Kieran Grace point from play left the margin at six before Nealon converted back-to-back frees before Tadgh Whyte was on target with his fourth.

Play continued and Bill O’Flaherty’s goal in the 63rd minute left three separating the teams and a nervous Moneygall side hoping that the final whistle would arrive soon but not before Eoghan Doughan’s late free sealed the win.

Player of the Match: Adam Hogan (Moneygall)

Moneygall: Kevin McCormack (7); Shay Gleeson (7), Andy Hoolan (7), Roddy Teehan (0-1, 7); Jack Kirwan (7), Brendan Toohey (7), Cian Ryan (7); Joe Fogarty (0-1, 8), Adam Hogan (0-6, 3f, 1’65, 8); Paddy Fogarty (0-1, 7), Aodhan Ryan (7), Bob Kenny (1-1, 7); Eoghan Doughan (1-7, 0-6f, (7), Tadgh Whyte (0-4, 8), Sean Kenneally (0-3, 8).

Subs: Eoin Whyte for Hoolan (38- 40 blood); Sean Fogarty (6) for Aodhan Ryan (48); Eoin Whyte (6) for Kenny (56); Niall Maher (6) for T Whyte (57).

Burgess: Oisin Tucker (7); Aidan O’Dwyer (6), Brian Quinn (6), Daire Hogan (6); Michael Ryan (6), Keith Nealon (6) Johnny Mulqueen (7); Diarmuid O’Donoghue (6), Kieran Ryan (6), Eoin Grace (7); Tony Dunne (0-1, 6), Stephen Murray (0-9f, 6); David Nealon (0-4, 3f, 7), Stephen Kirwan (1-0, 6), Kieran Grace (1-3, 7).

Subs: Eoin Hogan (6) for Dunne (29); Sean Dunne (0-1, 7) for O’Donoghue (38); Bill O’Flaherty (1-0, 6) for K Ryan (45); Jack O’Flaherty for M Ryan (47).

Referee: Sean Everard (Moyne-Templetuohy).