Port finish strongly to down Burgess

GAA: Savvy Kitchens North Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Portroe 3-18

Burgess 4-12

Report: Liam Hogan in Nenagh

Games between close neighbours generally provide so much entertainment and this one was no different as Portroe prevailed against Burgess in the North Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling semi-final on Saturday.

Port outscored Burgess 2-4 to 1-1 in the last nine minutes (including eight minutes of added time) to win but in truth they made life very difficult for themselves after they allowed a depleted Burgess to stay in the game due to the concession of two soft goals either side of half time.

In fact, there were plenty goalmouth incidents and after Port recovered a two deficit to level at 0-3 each the winners began to find a chink or two in the Burgess defence and Sam Madden was at the end of a great move, but his goal-bound shot was saved by Keith Nealon at the expense of a 65 which John Sheedy converted.

Burgess took the unusual step of playing Johnny Mulqueen at midfield instead of the customary half back position and he was up to par while his midfield partner Daire Hogan was also in fine form as he levelled matters for the third time before two points by AJ Willis had Port in the clear for the moment.

After Eoin Hogan’s free cut the margin to the minimum in the 19th minute, Burgess increased their lead a minute later when Portroe goalkeeper Diarmuid Boyle allowed Donagh Maher’s long delivery spill from his hand and over the goal-line.

Bill O’Flaherty increased the lead to three in the 23rd minute but two Ruan Mulrooney points and a John Sheedy free had the team’s level. Port were back on top and close to half time they strengthened their position when Sam Madden was successful in placing a low ball past Tucker to see his side 1-9 to 1-6 in front at the break.

John Sheedy’s free increased Port’s lead but Burgess, now helped by the breeze, hit back with a quick goal from Danny Ryan in the 32nd minute. Kevin O’Halloran’s free from halfway had Port two clear but Garrett Howard replied with a free in the 35th minute before AJ Willis forced Ronan Tucker to another good save at the expense of a 65 which John Sheedy failed to convert.

As play ebbed and flowed, Burgess were beginning to find their rhythm and points by Garrett Howard (free) and Danny Ryan had the team’s level after 39 minutes. Kevin O’Halloran’s free from his own 65 had Port in front again but the impressive Donagh Maher had Burgess level a minute later as they began a string a number of promising attacks together but three wides in a row dented their hopes before things turned to gold in the 48th minute when Diarmuid Boyle’s puckout failed to reach Robert Byrne. Bill O’Flaherty won possession before offloading to Tony Dunne who gave Boyle no chance and Burgess led 3-10 to 1-13.

Garrett Howard failed to increase his team’s lead with a free, but John Sheedy had no such problems after Robert Byrne (now in attack) was fouled. Burgess replied when Ronan Tuckers’ lengthy puckout reached Tony Dunne who had his side three in front once more.

There was still a minute of normal time remaining but Portroe sensing they need one last throw of the dice increased the tempo increased with Anthony Burke scoring followed by a super Kevin O’Halloran point from halfway. Port came again and two minutes later AJ Willis took a pass from Robert Byrne before finding the corner of the net and they were two in front.

Garrett Howard’s free moved Burgess within a point of the leaders but Kevin O’Halloran eased Portroe’s fears with a free after AJ Willis was fouled. Another Sheedy free increased the lead and when Willis and Ruan Mulrooney linked up for the later to John Sheedy, the latter was on hand to find the net leaving Port six in front and almost at the winning line.

There was another two minutes of action and Burgess found room for a consolation goal, but it was too little too late.

Portroe’s greater scoring prowess won the day with Kevin O’Halloran, Anthony Burke, Ruan Mulrooney, Sam Madden, John Sheedy and man of the match AJ Willie taking up the challenge. The Port defence of Robert Byrne and Christopher Riordan, Johnny Moroney did enough.

The brilliant work of Donagh Maher and the goalkeeping of Ronan Tucker kept Burgess in the game. Both Daire Hogan and Johnny Mulqueen had their moments too with Bill O’Flaherty causing a lot of problems with his arial ability. Burgess missed Stephen Murray so much with the Burgess sharpshooter failing to pass a late fitness test.

Player of the Match: AJ Willis (Portroe)

Portroe: Diarmuid Boyle (6); Michael Creamer (7), Michael Breen (7), John Moroney (7); Jack Moloney (7), Robert Byrne (0-1, 7), Christopher Riordan (7); Colm Gleeson (6), Kevin O’Halloran (0-5, 3f) 7); Ruan Mulrooney (0-3, 7), John Sheedy (1-5, 0-4f, 0-1 65) 6), AJ Willis (1-2, 8); Sam Madden (1-0, 7), Mark Gennery (0-1, 6), Anthony Burke (0-1, 6).

Sub: Keith McKeogh (6) for Gennery (43).

Burgess: Ronan Tucker (7); Pat Woods (7), Kieran Ryan (7), Tom Gibson (6); Donagh Maher (1-1, 7), Keith Nealon (6), Willie Ryan (1-0, 6); Johnny Mulqueen (0-1, 7), Daire Hogan (0-1, 7); Bill O’Flaherty (0-2, 7), Brian Tucker (6), Danny Ryan (1-1, 6); Eoin Hogan (0-2f, 6), Tony Dunne (1-1, 6), Johnny Ryan (6).

Subs: Garrett Howard (0-3f, 6) for B Tucker (20); Paddy Hogan (6) for Gibson (HT).

Referee: Conor Doyle (Silvermines)