Late surge sees Burgess edge the ‘Mines

GAA: FBD Insurance County Premier Intermediate County Hurling Championship Group 3

Burgess 0-21

Silvermines 0-19

Report: James Hayden in Nenagh

Two injury time points from Burgess saw them edge out Silvermines in a hard-fought County Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship clash at MacDonagh Park on Sunday.

Still smarting from their North final loss to Lorrha the previous weekend, Burgess went into this encounter determined to get their season back on track while a rested Silvermines side were seeking to kick-start their year with an opening round victory over their near neighbours.

Both sides went at it hammer and tongs from the start with sweepers in place for either side. Jason Forde and Michael Corcoran sat deep in the opening quarter for the Mines’ while Keith Nealon was tasked with mopping up behind the Burgess half-back line.

Burgess started brightly with points from the impressive Michéal Ryan and Johnny Mulqueen before Jason Forde (free) and Oisín Murphy ensured the ‘Mines kept pace. Forde edged the Mines’ in front with a booming eighth minute free from way out the field before a brace of frees from Stephen Murray saw Burgess wrestle back the advantage.

Playing with the aid of a slight breeze, Silvermines almost rattled the Burgess net on eleven minutes after Pa Leamy broke through the cover, but his low drive was excellently saved by Ronan Tucker with Jason Forde converted the resulting 65’. The nip and tuck nature of the game continued unabated with Pa Leamy and Andy Hayden on target for the ‘Mines while Stephen Kirwan and Michéal Ryan ensured Burgess kept pace.

From the 20-minute mark onwards, Burgess were in the ascendancy with a dominant Eoin Hogan causing serious problems for the Mines’ rearguard. Three points on the bounce from Stephen Murray fired them into a three-point lead before a super point from Stephen Kirwan off his left ensured Burgess led by four with 25 minutes elapsed. Jason Forde (free) responded before Silvermines manager; Brian Lawlor introduced Noel Quirke into the fray in a bid to quell the aerial dominance of Eoin Hogan.

Another Forde free narrowed the gap on the stroke of half time but Stephen Kirwan was on hand to put four between the sides. The Mines’ responded once more though with Jason Forde’s fifth free to see them trail 0-12 to 0-9 at the break.

Silvermines emerged determined to put in a strong third quarter effort and by the 43rd minute they had narrowed the gap to just a point with frees from Jason Forde and an impressive 41st minute point from Conor McKelvey.

Burgess struggled to manufacture a score from play in this quarter but two frees from Stephen Murray, who was struggling with a heavily strapped hamstring, kept Burgess ticking over.

With Silvermines now pushing up on Burgess and the rain cascading down, three points without reply, including successive frees from Jason Forde restored parity before a beautifully flighted Oisín Murphy effort fired the Mines’ into a fully-deserved but slender lead. Burgess responded impressively though with Stephen Murray (2 frees) and Michéal Ryan quickly restoring a two-point advantage.

The momentum swung back in favour of the Mines’ again though with a brace of frees from Jason Forde brought the ‘Mines back upsides again; 0-18 apiece. With the game in the melting pot, Jason Forde edged Silvermines in front once more with a sweet left-handed strike, but Stephen Murray replied in kind before a 61st minute Forde free drifted agonisingly to the left and wide.

Burgess surged back up field again and were awarded a close-range free after Michael Corcoran was caught in possession by Bill O’Flaherty who was adjudged to have been fouled by referee John Lillis, as he attempted to gather possession. Stephen Murray stepped up to edge Burgess back in front.

Silvermines were afforded the opportunity to snatch a late leveller but it never materialised and it was the men in green and gold who opened up a two-point advantage after Michéal Hogan’s clearance was plucked from the air by Stephen Kirwan and his effort was deemed to have been inside the upright despite the protestations of the Silvermines sideline after one umpire signalled wide and the other umpire signalled a point.

Silvermines were afforded one late opportunity to fashion what would have been a winning goal, but the Burgess rearguard held fast and cleared their lines to ensure a hard-earned two-point victory.

Impressive for Burgess were Michéal Hogan, Stephen Kirwan, Keith Nealon, Johnny Mulqueen, Kieran Ryan, Eoin Hogan, and Stephen Murray while Jason Forde, Oisín Murphy, Pa Leamy, Andy Hayden, Conor McKelvey, Ronan Sherlock, and Noel Quirke caught the eye for Silvermines.

Player of the Match: Michéal Ryan (Burgess).

Burgess: Ronan Tucker (7); Daire Hogan (7), Kieran Ryan (7), Pat Woods (6); Jack O’Flaherty (7), Danny Ryan (7), Johnny Mulqueen (0-1, 7); Stephen Murray (0-13, 12f, 7), Michéal Ryan (0-3, 8); Eoin Hogan (8), Keith Nealon (7), Stephen Kirwan (0-4, 8); Eoin Grace (7), Bill O’Flaherty (7), Kieran Grace (7).

Subs: Willie Ryan (6) for Woods (45); Conor Cooney (NR) for E Grace (53).

Silvermines: David Shanahan (7); Edward Ryan (7), Ronan Sherlock (7), Michéal Hogan (6); Darragh Nolan (7), Michael Corcoran (7), Gerard Leamy (7); Luke O’Brien (6), Patrick Leamy (0-1, 7); Conor McKelvey (0-1, 7), Daniel Keogh (7), Oisin Murphy (0-2, 7); Andrew Hayden (0-1, 7), Orrie Quirke (7), Jason Forde (0-14 (11f, 1 65’) 8).

Subs: Noel Quirke (7) for O’Brien (28); Cathal Treacy (6) for Keogh (45); Seán Spillane (NR) for Leamy (60+4).

Referee: John Lillis (Drom & Inch).