Hogan points the way for Burgess to County Under 15 ‘B’ Hurling title

GAA: Tipperary Coiste na nOg Under 15 ‘B’ Hurling Final

Burgess 1-18

Ballybacon/Grange 0-18

Report: Liam Hogan in Cappawhite

A fortuitous goal by Oisin Hogan was the difference as Burgess defeated Ballybacon/Grange in an exciting County U15 ‘B’ Hurling final on Sunday.

Hogan’s goal came in the 50th minute when his free from half-way deceived Ballybacon keeper Jim Purcell when perhaps the glare of the high sun didn’t help him deal with it properly.

That goal was only a snippet to Hogan’s overall contribution as he amassed 1-16 including six points from play. On the other side, Matthew Walsh was equally prolific with his tally of sixteen points, four from play.

It wasn’t all down to sharpshooters because the winners had much more on offer as Sean Purcell, Eoin Hogan and Luke Slattery were to the fore of a tight marking defence in front an alert goalkeeper David Mulcahy who had to come of his line and produce a vital save at a stage in the eleventh minute. Others to shine included Kaden Fogarty, Jack Comerford, Shane O’Donoghue and Tommy Ryan while Ben Madden was sorely missed when he left with a shoulder injury in the 23rd minute.

Much credit must go to the Ballybacon/Grange defence. Cillian O’Dwyer had his moments at six in front of Cian Walsh at full back. Matthew Walsh was the leader up front and had much help from Fionn Aird, Dylan Shone and Darren O’Mahoney.

Early nerves saw both side shoot two wides each before Oisin Hogan opened the scoring with a free in the seventh minute. Fionn Aird levelled within sixty seconds. It was end to end as Hogan gave Burgess the lead which doubled after Kaden Fogarty was on target. Aird replied with his second and levelled seconds after David Mulcahy denied Darren O’Mahoney in the ninth minute

Oisin Hogan scored three times, two from play to see Burgess 0-6 to 0-3 clear after fourteen minutes. However, Ballybacon were back in the hunt after a Walsh free plus a third Aird point. Play continued, however, and it became a battle of frees between Walsh and Hogan with the former making 0-8 each, a minute from the break.

Two Hogan points, the second from play had Burgess two in front but not to be outdone Matthew Walsh had the last say from a placed ball as the teams made their way to the dressing rooms, Burgess leading 0-10 to 0-9.

Jack Comerford’s point after twenty seconds set Burgess on what looked like a home run as they scored five unanswered points in eight minutes with Hogan picking up four more, three from frees. However, Ballybacon were not for losing as the Brendan Cummins managed side began their fightback with another Walsh free and the same player scoring an excellent point from play. Midfielder Tommy Lenihan added another brilliant point before Matthew Walsh rounded off the six unanswered run with two more accurate frees and one from play.

The number of times players fouled became much more frequent and the next one proved costly to Ballybacon as Oisin Hogan’s effort for a point from a free on halfway ended up in the Ballybacon net.

Walsh replied immediately with a free but two more Hogan frees had Burgess five in front with three minutes remaining. Ballybacon fought back and two frees by their talisman had them three in arrears but they could muster no more as a cohesive Burgess defence held out for victory.

Player of the Match: Oisin Hogan (Burgess).

Burgess: David Mulcahy; Sean Purcell, Eoin Hogan, Tom Cahalan; Harry Hoare, Luke Slattery, Michael Grey; Karen Fogarty (0-1), Girvan Mooney; Dillon Darcy, Jack Comerford (0-1), Shane O’Donoghue; Tommy Ryan, Ben Madden, Oisin Hogan (1-16, 1-10f).

Subs: Tony Seymour for Madden (22 inj); Aaron Philpot for Darcy (53).

Ballybacon/Grange: Jim Purcell; Jack Kinehan, Cian Walsh, Shane Bourke; Shane Howe, Cillian O’Dwyer, Michael Moyles; Harry Walsh, Tom Lenihan Capt; Matthew Walsh (0-15, 10f), Sean Lonergan, Jackson Callanan; Fionn Aird (0-3), Darren O’Mahoney, Dylan Shone.

Subs: Cillian Murphy for O’Mahoney (35); Cillian Moloney for Shone (45).

Referee: Seamus Delaney (JK Brackens).