Burgess - North Tipperary Under 21 ‘B’ Hurling champions. Back row: Ronan Tucker, Luke Conneally, Dinny Maher, Niall McGrath, Cyril McGrath, Shane Hogan, Michael Ryan, Conor Gorman, Conor Cooney, Diarmuid O’Donoghue, Oisin Tucker, Dylan Hough, Tomás Ryan, Jack O’Brien, Derek Sharkey, Gemma Flynn. Front row: Conor Gill, David Nealon, Joe O’Dwyer, Conor Grace, Kieran Grace, Liam Grace, Jack O’Sullivan, Aidan O’Dwyer, Eoin Grace, Billy Tucker, Brian Tucker, Micheál Ryan. PHOTO: PADRAIG HOGAN/SPORTSFOCUS

McGrath backs players to drive Burgess forward

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By Liam Hogan

Burgess selector Niall McGrath said this latest piece of silverware in terms of the North Under 21 ‘B’ Hurling title had made a disappointing hurling year look positive.

“After winning the North Premier Intermediate title we thought the year would take off, but it took a nosedive,” McGrath said.

“Those young lads are after bringing a bit of energy about the place. Look at the crowd they brought today. The club is going in the right direction, and I think these lads will energise the intermediate team next year.

“It’s time for us to step up anyway! The big win over Moneygall/Clonakenny last week in the semi-final. Moneygall/Clonakenny were the favourites and we beat them having played with fourteen men for much of the first half, the entire second half and extra time. We ground it out and deservedly so.

“We only have sixteen players. They are a tight group.

“We trained well during the week. We were a small bit leggy during the first half, but I was happy going in at half time knowing we had the breeze in the second half.

The trouble was that we didn’t kick on because we missed a lot of chances,” he added.

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