Second half Burgess goal blitz sinks Treacys

Burgess are through to the knockout stages of the County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship following a convincing eight-point victory over Sean Treacys on Friday evening.

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Group 4 Round 3

Burgess 4-16

Sean Treacys 1-17

Report: James Hayden at Kenyon Park, Templederry

The sword of Damocles hung over the reigning North champions going into this encounter with a win guaranteeing progress either to a quarter-final proper or a preliminary quarter-final, depending on results, but a loss would see them finish in last place in the group and a possible relegation battle.

The men from the West were also in a precarious position and nothing less than a win would suffice in their bid to stave off a relegation battle for a side that has failed to fire on all cylinders this year.

Notwithstanding this fact, Treacys started brightly beneath the canopy of a worsening squall, and despite the wet and slippery conditions, found themselves two points to the good after just five minutes, with a brace of Paddy Carey frees coupled with a well-struck Pat Dawson point providing the men in blue & gold with an early foundation to build upon.

As conditions overhead brightened somewhat, Burgess started to settle into a rhythm; Stephen Murray set the tone with all of his side’s first three points (2 frees) before a mix-up in the Treacy’s defence saw the talisman poke the sliotar over the line for the opening goal of the game.

Kieran Grace chipped in with a fine point before Murray cut a sublimely struck sideline cut straight over the black spot on eighteen minutes to fire Burgess into a 1-5 to 0-4 lead.

Sean Treacys were still hurling well though and a cracking Stevie Carr point coupled with another well-struck placed ball from Paddy Carey brought Ger O’Toole’s charges to within a point.

Burgess, who were without the services of the suspended Johnny Mulqueen, were dealt their second major injury blow of the half with Danny Ryan forced off with a hamstring injury on 23 minutes, after Keith Nealon had been forced to retire after just ten minutes with a niggle he carried into the game.

Despite this, Burgess mounted an impressive surge as the opening half drew to a close with a brace of Stephen Murray frees added to a fine point from play from midfielder, Micheal Ryan.

Sean Treacys were in no mood to capitulate though and two further frees plus a superbly flighted 65' as well as an audacious over the shoulder effort from play, all coming from the stick of Paddy Carey, ensured they trailed by just the bare minimum at the break, 0-10 to 1-8.

Burgess emerged determined to put their stamp on proceedings and thanks in the most part to the efforts of man of the match, Bill O’Flaherty, they went on to record a resounding victory.

O’Flaherty was unstoppable, netting just seconds after the re-start following a surging Tony Dunne run, before minutes later plucking Ronan Tucker’s puckout from the skies, pirouetting on a sixpence and arrowing the sliotar straight between the uprights.

Throw in additional points from Stephen Murray and a third Burgess goal from the mercurial Tony Dunne on 36 minutes following a deft Eoin Hogan flick and suddenly the men in green and gold were in the driving seat, 3-10 to 0-11.

This seven-minute spell really knocked the stuffing out of Treacys, yet they battled on gamely with Michael Feehan nabbing a well-taken goal on forty minutes following an insightful Jody Ryan pass.

Stephen Murray and Paddy Carey traded points from placed balls before up popped Donagh Maher for a well-struck effort following impressive approach play from the hard-working Stephen Kirwan.

With the game ebbing towards the final quarter Treacys did their utmost to find a way back into contention and three frees on the bounce from Paddy Carey brought them to within four before Stephen Kirwan knifed over a cracking point to steady the Burgess ship once more, 3-14 to 1-15.

With seven minutes of normal time remaining, Burgess put the outcome beyond any doubt after Bill O’Flaherty’s physical presence caused problems once more for the Treacys rearguard, snatching the sliotar from the sky before handing off to the inrushing Eoin Grace and he made no mistake from close-range.

Treacys emptied the bench, but it made no odds as Michael Ryan and Eoin Grace tacked on a further points from play to ensure Brian Hogan’s charges built upon their North final success with two wins from three in the group stages, and with it safe progression to the quarter-finals.

Impressive for Burgess were Bill O’Flaherty, Tony Dunne, Michael Ryan, Bryan Quinn, Stephen Kirwan, Stephen Murray, and Ronan Tucker while Paddy Carey, Stevie Carr, Jody Ryan, Tom Hickey, Michael Feehan and Pat Dawson caught the eye for Treacys.

Player of the Match: Bill O’Flaherty (Burgess).

Burgess: Ronan Tucker (7); Daire Hogan (7), Bryan Quinn (8), Aidan O’Dwyer (7); Willie Ryan (7), Keith Nealon (6), Danny Ryan (6); Micheal Ryan (0-2, 7), Kieran Grace (0-1, 7); Stephen Kirwan (0-1, 7); Tony Dunne (1-0, 8); Eoin Grace (1-1 8); Donagh Maher (0-1, 7), Bill O’Flaherty (1-1, 8), Stephen Murray (1-9 (0-7f, 0-1 s-cut) 8).

Subs: Jack O’Flaherty (7) for Nealon (11 inj); Eoin Hogan (7) for D Ryan (23 inj); Conor Cooney (NR) for Dunne (60).

Sean Treacys: Shane Stapleton (7); Andrew O’Brien (6), Sean Hickey (6), Eoin Sheldon (6); Colm Kennedy (7), Tom Hickey (7), Brendan O’Dwyer (7); Paul Nolan (7), Patrick Deegan (7); Sean Ryan (0-1 65’, 7); Patrick Dawson (0-1, 7); Michael Feehan (1-0, 7); Paddy Carey (0-14, 10f, 3 65’s, 8), Jody Ryan (7), Stevie Carr (0-1, 7).

Subs: Christopher Egan (6) for Sheldon (33); Cillian Murphy (NR) for P Carey (56); Donnacha O’Brien (NR) for J Ryan (56); Darragh Carr (6) for Dawson (56); Brian Nolan (6) for O’Dwyer (60).

Referee: John Lillis (Drom & Inch).