Burgess frustrated by Sars after controversial ending

GAA: FBD Insurance County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter Finals

Thurles Sarsfields 2-19

Burgess 1-21

Report: James Hayden in Borrisoleigh

Burgess’ season came to a disappointing end on Saturday as Thurles Sarsfields edged an absorbing Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter final.

Sarsfields’ second-string went into this clash hopeful of overcoming an u Burgess side bearing the favourites tag and duly belied their pre-match odds with an impressive performance.

They were made work all the way for the win though and controversy reigned right at the death when Stephen Murray appeared to have been clearly held and fouled for what would have been a close-range free, one which more than likely would have sent the tie to extra-time. Murray had been well-contained by an impressive Thurles inside-back line all day but on this occasion, he appeared to have been restricted from playing the ball after gathering possession from a high, looping delivery but referee Alan Tierney awarded no free much to the annoyance of the Burgess sideline.However, he was forced to brandish a red after Murray retaliated in frustration at two Thurles defenders, a decision that served to further incense the Burgess faithful.

With time up, Thurles had prevailed to progress by the slenderest of margins after a second half which saw Burgess haul back a six-point interval deficit to draw level by the 55th minute. Both sides were level on two further occasions before a superbly executed point from Sars’ substitute, Michael O’Brien proved the Blues with the all-important winning score.

In a game which ebbed and flowed throughout, the Mid side were superior in the opening half. Although playing into the teeth of a considerable breeze, Burgess only hurled in patches and found it difficult to circumvent the sweeping duties of the imperious Michael Cahill.

With Jack Lanigan in fine form from placed balls, the Thurles men led 1-3 to 0-2 after five minutes following points from Mossie Stapleton, Jack Lanigan (free) and Rory Purcell before and a cracking goal from the stick of Lanigan handed Sars’ an early initiative.

Burgess responded with a well-taken Stephen Murray free before Donagh Maher snapped a pinpoint accurate Keith Nealon delivery out of the sky and pirouetted on a sixpence before unleashing an unstoppable drive past Kevin Bracken with eleven minutes elapsed.

Thurles Sarsfields response was not just immediate but ruthless, with the impressive Liam McCormack arrowing the sliotar low past Ronan Tucker’s left to fire Sars’ back into a three-point advantage, 2-3 to 1-3.

Burgess retaliated with a brace from wing-forward Stephen Kirwan before Sars’ established a noticeable grip on the proceedings in the second quarter. Five points on the bounce from Jack Lanigan (2 frees), Robbie Stapleton and Liam McCormack fired Sars’ into a deserved 2-8 to 0-5 advantage before Eoin Grace stopped the rot with a fine point from range. Both sides fired two points apiece as the half drew to a close, but it was Thurles Sarsfields who were by far the happier going in at the break with a 2-11 to 1-8 interval cushion.

Burgess, now with the aid of the breeze, set about the task of pegging back Sars’ but a nip and tuck opening ten minutes saw the gap reduced by just two points. Successive efforts from Eoin Hogan and Stphen Murray (free) saw Burgess trail 2-13 to 1-12 with 38 minutes gone before a 41st minute Jack Lanigan free put five between the sides.

Three points on the trot from Stephen Kirwan, Stephen Murray (free) and Kieran Grace brought Burgess right back into it, but Sars’ were still creating chances with Mossie McCormack on target with a fine 48th minute effort to ensure Sars’ kept their noses in front, 2-16 to 1-16.

Successive Stephen Murray frees edged Burgess to within striking distance before a 55th minute Murray free finally restored parity. Burgess were dealt a blow though after 49th minute substitute Michéal Ryan was forced off after just six minutes on the field with a re-occurrence of a leg muscle injury.

With the game well and truly in the melting pot, Harry Fitzgibbon and Conor Cooney traded points before Burgess hit the front from the first time since the third minute thanks to yet another Stephen Murray free with just three minutes of normal time remaining, 1-21 to 2-17.

Thurles Sarsfields regrouped though with scorer-in-chief Jack Lanigan arrowing over a leveller from a placed ball on the stroke of full-time before Michael O’Brien handed the Blues the all-important advantage. O’Brien nearly bagged an injury-time third goal for Sars’ also, but the intervention of Kieran Ryan saved the day for Burgess.

Burgess surged back up field in search of a levelling score to send the tie to extra-time, but it wasn’t to be, and Thurles Sarsfield held out to progress to the semi-finals.

Player of the Match: Michael Cahill (Thurles Sarsfields)

Thurles Sarsfields: Kevin Bracken (7); Kieran Moloney (7), David Maher (7), Jack O’Mara (7); Henry Fogarty (7), Michael Cahill (8), Aidan Ryan (7); Kieran Costello (7), Harry Fitzgibbon (0-1, 7); Robbie Stapleton (0-2, 7), Mossie McCormack (0-1, 7), Rory Purcell (0-2, 7); Tommy Maher (6), Jack Lanigan (1-9 (0-7f) 8), Liam McCormack (1-2, 7).

Subs: Aidan Stakelum (6) for A Ryan (45); Michael O’Brien (0-1, 7) for T Maher (48); Pa Dunne (NR) for D Maher (58); Michael Russell (NR) for Stapleton (58).

Burgess: Ronan Tucker (7); Daire Hogan (7), Kieran Ryan (7), Willie Ryan (7); Jack O’Flaherty (7), Danny Ryan (7), Johnny Mulqueen (7); Donagh Maher (1-0, 7), Eoin Grace (0-1, 7); Eoin Hogan (0-3, 7), Keith Nealon (0-1, 7), Stephen Kirwan (0-4, 8); Stephen Murray (0-10, 8f, 8), Bill O’Flaherty (7), Kieran Grace (0-1, 7).

Subs: Micheál Ryan (NR) for Grace (49); Conor Cooney (0-1 7) for M Ryan (55 inj).

Referee: Alan Tierney (Shannon Rovers).