Walsh's of Nenagh North U21 B hurling: Burgess see off Lorrha Shannon Rovers combo to claim the silverware

Burgess 4-9
Lorrha/Shannon Rovers 2-10

Eoin Grace scored 3-7 as Burgess bridged a gap of twenty four years to claim their fourth North Tipp Under 21 B title when they defeated Lorrha/Shannon Rovers in the final at Saint Cronan’s Park, Roscrea last Monday at noon.

It was a joyous Saint Stephen’s Day for the wearers of the Green and Gold who were already holders of four Under 21 A titles, the last won in 2011. They led from start to finish with Eoin Grace getting a touch to Michael Ryan’s high delivery for the game’s opening goal after two minutes.

That goal was as valuable as two on a day, that was not ideal for hurling on a pitch that was soft nature following bouts of rain the previous twenty four hours notwithstanding the threatening showers that appeared on the horizon during the game.

With both defences giving little away the opportunities for scores were minimal with Eoin Grace and Colm Fogarty dominating the scoring charts. Fogarty scored the entire lot for Lorrha Eoin Grace had 1-1 on the board by the fifth minute before Fogarty had his first of eight pointed frees in the opening half before Michael Ryan (wearing number six) scored a point in the sixth minute increasing his team’s lead to four.

With Eoin Grace and Fogarty accurate from free the margin ebbed from three to four points and by the 13th minute at 1-4 to 0-3. However, the next five minutes belonged to Lorrha as Colm Fogarty scored three unanswered frees to leave the minimum between the sides.

The scores coincided with an improved Lorrha/Shannon Rovers outfit where James Guinan, Kevin Cahalan and Darragh Guinan were on the ball much more often. However, there was a setback in the 25th minute when Eoin Grace stole ground to score a goal which was of a soft nature. Barley two minutes later Grace was on hand again and his delivery from the right reached an unmarked Michael Ryan in front of goal and his first time ground shot hit the roof of the net with ghusto. Colm Fogarty replied with his eight free but on hearing the half time whistle the winners led 3-4 to 0-8.

The second half began with another Eoin Grace free from midway but his effort for a point deceived the Lorrha defence and dropped into the net much to their disappointment as they questioned its legitimacy.

The next score didn’t come until the 42nd minute when Eoin Grace increased the Burgess lead with a free and with neither defence giving latitude the same player added another free in the 48th minute. In the absence of scores, the tight marking made it a sporting contest but there were a few isolated incidents where referee Pat Murray had to deal with and in the 53rd minute tempers frayed which meant red cards for both James Guinan and Michael Ryan. Both players were unlucky with one or two more very lucky to avoid detection.

This came after Colm Fogarty pointed his ninth free and after the red card, Eoin Grace replied with a similar score quickly followed by another Fogarty free to make it 4-7 to 0-10, two minutes from time. despite been nine points adrift and the game reaching the hour mark, Lorrha won a close in free. Fogarty sent to the net.

However, deep into injury time, Lorrha/Rovers lost Donnacha O’Meara to a second yellow card. In response Burgess came again and increased their lead through corner back Tom Gibson before Colm Fogarty was on hand to score his second goal. It was too little too late and if there was any mention of a late late fightback it received a setback when Eoin Grace secured the final score from a free.

Burgess were best served by Eoin grace, Michael Ryan plus Conor Cooney in attack plus Kieran Grace and Sean Dunne in midfield. The half backline of Cian Sharkey, Daire Hogan and Liam Grace were steady all through but the full line of Aidan O’Dwyer, Jack O’Keeffe and in particular Tom Gibson refused to give an inch.