Moneygall withstand Burgess fightback

GAA: Liam Buckley Car Sales North Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter Final

Moneygall 2-22

Burgess 1-22

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

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Eoghan Doughan (Moneygall)

SCORERS - Moneygall: Adam Hogan 0-9 (7 frees); Tadgh Whyte 2-2; Andy Hoolan, Eoghan Doughan 0-3 each; Joe Fogarty 0-2 (1 free); Bob Kenny, Eoin Whyte, Roddy Teehan 0-1 each.

Burgess: David Nealon 0-10 (7 frees); Stephen Murray 0-7 (3 frees, 1 ‘65); Joe O’Dwyer 1-0; Donagh Maher 0-2; Eoin Grace, Paul Cahalan, Michael Ryan 0-1 each.

Despite enjoying a commanding half time lead and looking very much the winner, Moneygall had to use all their wits to survive a Burgess fightback to progress to the semi-finals of the North Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship on Sunday afternoon.

Moneygall led 2-14 to 0-9 at half time and looked comfortable until Joe O’Dwyer’s splendid goal in the 39th minute brought Burgess back into contention. It was a race to the line as Burgess kept plugging away but they couldn’t get back on terms.

Adam Hogan finished Moneygall’s top scorer with 0-9 (5 frees) and was one of eight players to get on the scoresheet, a statistic that tells its own story but there was more to the winners display with Brendan Toohey lording matters in the air at full back. Roddy Teehan did so much at left corner back in front of a very reliable goalkeeper Paddy McCormack whose puckouts were long and varied.

Andy Hoolan had a great first half and scored three points from the left wing. Aodhan Ryan was busy at midfield while captain Joe Fogarty rose to the challenge after the interval with the twin force of Adam Hogan and man of the match Eoghan Doughan causing problems along with Tadgh Whyte who scored 2-2.

Burgess had their usual leaders in Donagh Maher and Johnny Mulqueen, and received great assistance by Kieran Ryan as sweeper. Michael Ryan, Eoin Grace, David Nealon and Joe O’Dwyer tested the Moneygall waters. Stephen Murray began at midfield before moving into the attack before half time but it was David Nealon later taking over the role of free-taker scoring two points from play.

Both teams entered the game short a number of regulars with Moneygall denied the services of Sean Kenneally, Mark Fanning and Shay Gleeson who cried off minutes before the throw-in while Burgess were without Stephen Kirwan, Kieran Grace, Keith Nealon and Tony Dunne.

Scores were level for the fourth time at 0-4 each after David Nealon scored his second point from play in the ninth minute.

Burgess had the better of the exchanges and after Stephen Murray bisected the posts with a free they led by 0-6 to 0-4 before the first water break, required because of the sweltering conditions.

Water breaks are rarely welcomed by a team that has the upper hand and it certainly worked against Burgess because Moneygall took over. Eoin Whyte had narrowed the gap before Tadgh Whyte scored a great goal.

Adam Hogan increased the lead to three on twenty minutes. Both sides went point for point over the next five minutes with David Nealon’s latest free leaving Burgess one minute in arrears, 1-7 to 0-9.

Joe Fogarty’s point from play followed by another Adam Hogan free had Moneygall three clear once again, two minutes from half time.

Andy Hoolan added his third point as Moneygall went on a rampage as further points by Doughan, two Hogan frees plus 1-1 from Tadgh Whyte helped them take a 2-14 to 0-9 half time lead.

Now with the aid of the breeze, Burgess took their time to get into the groove as points by Joe Fogarty and Adam Hogan came either side of two Nealon frees. However, between the 35th & 39th minute saw Burgess scoring 1-2 without reply, the goal, a splendid one from Joe O’Dwyer who stole a march along the end-line.

Adam Hogan’s free helped maintain Moneygall’s upper hand but Burgess remained patient and points by Murray and Nealon (free) left them five adrift. A very good point by Rody Teehan was vital for Moneygall but two Murray placed balls brought Burgess within four with thirteen minutes remaining.

Paddy McCormack denied Paul Cahalan a goal in the 50th minute which seemed to wake Moneygall up as their tempo increased in the run into the final whistle. Joe Fogarty moved his team back five in front before Stephen Murray replied.

Tadgh Whyte increased the Moneygall lead but two Murray frees plus points by Donagh Maher and David Nealon left Burges two in arrears before Adam Hogan sealed the win for Moneygall.

TEAMS - Moneygall: Paddy McCormack (7); Cathal Greene (7), Brendan Toohey (8), Roddy Teehan (8); Gerard Larkin (6), Jack Kirwan (6), Andy Hoolan (7); Aodhan Ryan (7), Eoin Whyte (6); Cormac Hoolan (6), Eoghan Doughan (8), Joe Fogarty (Capt 8); Bob Kenny (6), Adam Hogan (7), Tadgh Whyte (7).

Burgess: Ronan Tucker (7); Daire Hogan (Capt 7), Bryan Quinn (7), Eoin Grace (7); Johnny Ryan (6), Johnny Mulqueen (7), Kieran Ryan (7); Donagh Maher (7), Stephen Murray (6); Paul Cahalan (6), Eoin Grace (7), Michael Ryan S (6); Joe O’Dwyer (7), David Nealon (7), Michael Ryan J (6).

Subs: Conor Cooney (6) for Ryan J (10-22 blood, 53); Keith O’Donoghue (6) for Ryan S (53).

Referee: Tom McGlinchey (Newport).