Borris-Ileigh still standing after dramatic semi-final
Hibernian Inn North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final
Borris -Ileigh 1-32
Burgess 2-24 (AET)
Report: Shane Brophy in Nenagh
The storied history of the North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship saw another first on Sunday as extra extra time was needed before finally Borris-Ileigh emerged as winners over Burgess in this gripping semi-final.
It literally almost was a case of last man standing with players on both sides struggling in the second session of extra time where after almost 100 minutes of action, Borris-Ileigh just found that little bit extra to end Burgess' dream of a first divisional senior title.
This one will hurt Burgess as the final defeats in 2008 and 2014 considering they were six points in front on 39 minutes when Bill O'Flaherty, on his knees, fired to the net for a 2-11 to 0-11 lead.
An upset was on the cards but that goal finally woke Borris-Ileigh from their sluggishness and for the remainder of normal time dominated the contest but it wasn't until the second minute of added time when they drew level through Kevin Maher and after Bill O'Flaherty had nudged Burgess back in front, Conor Kenny fired over twice in quick succession and it looked as if Borris-Ileigh had snatched victory. The second point was adjudged to have gone over the crossbar by the umpire as Ronan Tucker managed to bring the ball down.
However, following a subsequent fracas in front of the stand, which held up the game for four minutes, it provided Burgess with time for one last opportunity which came in the form of a Stephen Murray free from 80 yards which he nailed.
The subsequent loss was cruel on Murray who finished with a massive 18 point contribution, 14 from placed balls but the one thing Burgess lacked as a chief scorer from play to match Borris-Ileigh's Conor Kenny who finished with 1-7 from play, the goal coming in the opening seconds of the first period of the second extra time which proved to be the defining score of the game.