Burgess comes from behind to hold onto a slender victory to claim North Final spot

Savvy Kitchens North Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Burgess 0-21 

Ballina 0-20 

By Liam Hogan

Burgess are back in the North final but they had to do it the hard way and after a lacklustre opening forty minutes left them with much to do before they raised their game and outscored Ballina 0-9 to 0-3 in the last quarter to help them claim a place in the North Premier Intermediate decider next Sunday against Silvermines. 

In an exciting contest, last year’s runners needed things to change and the introduction of the experienced Tony Dunne and Bill O’Flaherty to the full forward line caused some worrying moments on the edge of the small square for Ballina. Further out the field, Burgess flooded the middle third with Stephen Murray and Eoin Hogan lending a hand with Murray once again saving the day as he found the target with his usual accuracy as Ballina simply ran out of ideas once the game went against them.

It was in direct opposite in the first half when Ballina had Burgess very much on the ropes. With a well-intentioned direct ball to Steven O’Brien at full forward Ballina were able to open the Burgess inside backline with incredible ease. The Tipp senior footballer was also accurate from frees and scored three as Ballina opened a 0-5 to 0-2 lead after twelve minutes. The Ballina backline had every angle covered under the stewardship of Michael Breen at six and wing backs Charlie King and Jack Collins also scored with Collins scoring from a 40-metre sideline ball. 

It was simply way too good for Ballina who had the luxury of five wides in the opening quarter which allowed Burgess some leeway and by the 20th minute they trailed 0-7 to 0-5 after Stephen Murray converted his second free. Danny Ryan was Burgess’s only source of solace at that stage as the midfielder had scored two points up to then.

Things continued to go the Ballina way with David Kelly everywhere while Jack Collins, Kian Donnelly and Josh Egan got much possession. As a result, Ballina were able to increase their lead with O’Brien securing three more points, two from play to make it 0-10 to 0-6 after 25 minutes. 

Subsequently, Burgess had to chase the game and in a point-for-point pattern Burgess had to rely on Donagh Maher for a score from play matched by a 65 by Steven O’Brien before Danny Ryan scored his third to leave his team three in arrears after intercepting a poor clearance from the Ballina defence area. 

But Ballina drove on again. Steven O’Brien scored from play after collecting a lengthy free from Breen before the former won possession again and found David Kelly unmarked before scoring. The half-time whistle was in close proximity but in the ninety seconds of added time allowed Burgess went in search of another score and Stephen Murray’s free, his fourth of the half, as Ballina went indoors the happiest on a 0-13 to 0-9 scoreline.

Two Stephen Murray points from a free and a 65 were picked up inside the opening three minutes of the second half after Simon Grace produced a great save from a low Stephen Kirwan drive. 

However, the pendulum swung back in Ballina’s favour as they hit four unanswered points in seven minutes with David Kelly posting one followed by three placed balls from O’Brien including two 65s.

Ironically Ballina would not score for another fifteen minutes although they had a few chances. Meanwhile, Burgess introduced Tony Dunne and his first touch forced Simon Grace to make another save at the expense of a 65 which Stephen Murray converted. Murray had now moved outfield and added a point from halfway. 

Burgess were increasing in stature and the scores continued to come with Eoin Grace pointing as the same player earned two frees and Murray didn’t miss. Another attack by the green and gold helped win a 65 and Murray pointed to bring parity at 0-17 each and five minutes remaining.

A minute later, Stephen Kirwan gave Burgess the lead for the first time but Jack Collins levelled with a free after he took over from Stephen O’Brien. The Ballina full forward had now moved to operate on the forty after Burgess had moved Johnny Mulqueen to mark the Ballina sharpshooter.

After Stephen Kirwan doubled his tally and there was no stopping Burgess now and after Stephen Murray’s latest free Burgess were two points clear of a lead that increased to three after substitute Bill O’Flaherty bisected the posts on the hour. 

Ballina tried desperately to search for a way back. Josh Egan was almost through on goal but play was called back for a free and Jack Collins reduced the margin with the placed ball. There was more from the royal blues and after a foul on Eoghan Power, it was Collins again with another successful free leaving the minimum between the teams. However, there was not enough time to grab an equaliser. Burges were through to the final for the second year in a row. Full-time Burgess 0-21 Ballina 0-20.

Burgess: Ronan Tucker; Kieran Ryan, Bryan Quinn, Daire Hogan; Jack O’Flaherty, Keith Nealon, Johnny Mulqueen; Danny Ryan (0-3), Kieran Grace; Michael Ryan, Donagh Maher (0-1), Stephen Kirwan (0-2); Stephen Murray (0-12, 0-8f, 0-3 65s), Eoin Hogan, Eoin Grace (0-2). 

Subs used: Tony Dunne for Quinn (42); Bill O’Flaherty (0-1) for M Ryan (46); 

Ballina: Simon Grace; Paddy O’Donovan, David Grace, Terry O’Halloran; Zak Egan, Michael Breen, Charlie King (0-1); Jack Collins (0-4, 0-2f, 0-1 sl-cut), David Coughlan; Kian Donnelly, David Kelly (0-2), Billy Collins; Josh Egan (0-2), Steven O’Brien (0-11, 0-6f, 0-1 65), Cillian Ryan. 

Subs used: Ben King for Collins (53); Eoghan Power for Kian Donnelly (53).

Referee: Christy McLoughlin (Nenagh Eire Og)