Magical Murray fires Burgess past Cashel

GAA: FBD Insurance County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter Final

Burgess 3-27

Cashel King Cormacs 2-23

(After Extra Time)

Report: Liam Hogan in Borrisoleigh

The importance of an excellent free-taker means a lot to a team and Burgess certainly have one in Stephen Murray who contributed a massive 2-18 as Burgess came from behind to defeat favourites Cashel King Cormacs, after extra time, in a spell-binding County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter final on Saturday.

In a game where the teams were level no less then thirteen times, Murray dragged Burgess back into the game as they tried to curb a Cashel side that hurled with determination and will to win as they opened 1-10 to 0-7 lead with Adrian Cummins scoring the goal in the eighteenth minute as both Devon Ryan and Cathal Quinn provided a threat up front, while in defence there was much to admire about the work rate of James Cummins and Eoghan Connolly.

Despite playing second fiddle, Stephen Murray kept his cool and scored seven first half frees as Cashel’s lead was cut to four by half time 1-10 to 0-9.

But once the teams changed ends it was Burgess who were in the ascendency. Led by the brilliant Johnny Mulqueen at half back where he kept a close eye on Ger Browne, plus Keith Nealon who enjoyed his role as sweeper, and up front Burgess had Stephen Murray continuing to pop over placed balls from all angles and distances while Stephen Kirwan and Michael Ryan made space for Murray to score a goal in the 40th minute which paved the way for a 1-17 to 1-14 lead after fifty minutes.

However, Cashel rallied and in the closing stages they outscored Burgess three points to one with Devon Ryan’s free in the 61st minute giving the West-men a 1-19 to 1-18 lead. Was it enough? Not so said Burgess and in one final attack it was the hard-working Michael Ryan who found the equaliser, signalling extra time.

For extra time, Burgess won the toss and decided to play against the breeze which was no deterrent this time as the excellent Donagh Maher had the ball in the Cashel net after just seventy seconds.

Both defences came under pressure as it was score for score for the remainder of the game. Burges had called on the strong Bill O’Flaherty to man the edge of the square and his presence worked as Murray increased Burgess’s lead with a free. Both Daniel Moloney and Donagh Maher traded points before Burgess keeper Ronan Tucker made a good save to deny Devon Ryan at the expense of a 65 which Eoghan Connolly converted.

Approaching half time, Ger Browne was fouled and Eoghan Connolly stood over the close-range free which he blasted to the net and by the change of ends, Cashel led 2-22 to 2-21 after Ronan Connolly pointed.

On the resumption, Stephen Murray levelled with a free. Ross Bonnar gave Cashel the lead for what would be their last score before another Murray free had teams level for the thirteenth time at 2-23 each.

Then Burgess simply took off with points by Eoin Grace and Eoin Hogan plus another free by Murray. They looked home and dry, but Murray was relentless and his second goal increased his tally to 2-18 (2-1 from play) making it a magnificent day for the corner forward, leaving Tadgh O’Halloran with the final say for a seven point victory.

Hurling was the winner with both sides contributing to a great contest and apart from the men who made big contributions in terms of scoring there was much to admire from the displays of Burgess’ Pat Woods, Kieran Ryan, and Paddy Hogan for Burgess along with Michael Ryan and Stephen Kirwan while Conor O’Dwyer, Nathan Ryan, Daniel Moloney and Ross Bonnar for the runners-up.

Player of the Match: Stephen Murray (Burgess).

Burgess: Ronan Tucker (7); Pat Woods (7), Kieran Ryan (7), Paddy Hogan (7); Jack O’Flaherty (0-1, 7), Keith Nealon (7), Johnny Mulqueen (8), Tadgh O’Halloran (0-2, 7), Danny Ryan (6); Michael Ryan (0-1, 7), Donagh Maher (1-3, 8), Stephen Kirwan (7); Eoin Grace (0-1, 6), Eoin Hogan (0-1, 6), Stephen Murray (2-18, 0-16f, 0-1’65) 9).

Subs: Daire Hogan (7) for D Ryan (HT); Bill O’Flaherty (7) for E Grace (52); Eoin Grace for M Ryan (14 ET).

Cashel King Cormacs: Jonathan Walsh (7); Simon Delaney (7), Nathan Ryan (7), Ciaran Quinn (7); James Cummins (7), Eoghan Connolly (1-4, 1-1f, 0-3’65) 8), Conor O’Dwyer (0-1, 7); Cathal Quinn (0-3), Ronan Connolly (0-3, 7), Conn Bonnar (6), Ger Browne (0-2, 6), Ross Bonner (0-2, 6); Devan Ryan (0-6, 5f) 7), Paddy Fahy (6), Adrian Cummins (1-0, 6).

Subs: Daniel Moloney (0-2, 7) for C Bonnar (42); Lee Bourke (HR) for Delaney (19 ET).

Referee: John Dooley (Thurles Sarsfields)