Burgess got the better of Nenagh Éire Óg and were deservedly crowned Fr Fogarty Cup (County Senior Hurling Challenge Cup) champions at St Michael’s Park, Toomevara on Sunday afternoon.
Sunday, September 1st
County Senior Hurling Challenge Cup
Fr Fogarty Cup Final Replay
Nenagh Éire Óg 1-14 Burgess 1-19
Burgess were deservedly crowned Fr Fogarty Cup (County Senior Hurling Challenge Cup) champions at St Michael’s Park, Toomevara on Sunday afternoon.
Right from the off Burgess set the tone of this encounter. Despite playing into a stiff breeze Burgess led 0-11 to 1-6 at the break and although goalkeeper Niall McGrath was asked to make a series of saves Éire Óg struggled to make any significant impression.
Seven weeks previously the sides had drawn (1-18 apiece) after extra-time. On that occasion Burgess required a dramatic last minute point from Eoin ‘Tossy’ Hogan to force a replay, but on this occasion there was no need for such heroics.
The sides traded points initially and were locked at 0-3 apiece following a Paddy Murphy point for Éire Óg in the tenth minute.
Burgess took over thereafter with a series of excellent scores helping Pat Cremin’s side into a 0-8 to 0-3 lead by the 20th minute. Despite playing into a stiff breeze Burgess’ Jack O’Flaherty, Eoin Hogan (two), Stephen Murray and Brian Hogan helped their side into that significant five-point advantage.
A Michael Heffernan free reduced the deficit to four points in the 22nd minute, but with Niall McGrath’s short puck-outs working a treat Burgess responded with points from Eoin Hogan (’65) and Stephen Murray – 0-10 to 0-4.
Éire Óg then enjoyed a period of rare dominance when points from Michael Heffernan (free) and Paddy Murphy reduced the deficit to four points before Johnny Slattery broke Michael McNamara’s long-range free to Brian Quinn who scooped in a goal from close range in the 29th minute. A Damien O’Brien point for Burgess concluded the scoring in the opening half – Burgess 0-11 Nenagh Éire Óg 1-6.
A Kevin Tucker point presented Éire Óg with an encouraging start to the second half, but Burgess responded with points from Eoin Hogan (’65) and Stephen Murray to leave three between them (0-13 to 1-7).
Two Kevin Tucker efforts (one ’65) narrowed the gap to the minimum entering the 41st minute, but Burgess responded to that challenge in style with points from Noel Gleeson, Eoin ‘Tossy’ Hogan and Eoin Hogan (free) opening a four-point gap with 15 minutes to play (0-16 to 1-9).
With ten minutes to play a Paddy Murphy point left three between them (1-11 to 0-17), but Burgess were in no mood to surrender their advantage with points from Damien O’Brien, Donagh Maher and, finally, a cracking Stephen Murray goal propelling Pat Cremin’s men into a 1-19 to 1-11 lead by the 57th minute.
Éire Óg closed out the game with points from Bob O’Brien (two) and Pearse Morris and were probably misfortunate not to score a second goal. Burgess ‘keeper Niall McGrath did make a series of neat saves from Richie Flannery, Tommy Heffernan and David Hackett, but, that said, Burgess were very good value for this victory.
Burgess: Niall McGrath, John O’Dwyer, Johnny Mulqueen, Paddy Hogan, Michael O’Flaherty, Shane Maher, Peter Gill, Noel Gleeson (0-1), Jack O’Flaherty (0-1), Damien O’Brien (0-4), Eoin ‘Tossy’ Hogan (0-1), Brian Hogan (0-1), Daniel Ryan, Eoin Hogan (0-7, 0-4 frees, 0-2 ‘65s), Stephen Murray (1-3). Subs: (HT) Donagh Maher (0-1) for Daniel Ryan, (56th) Conor Quigley for Eoin ‘Tossy’ Hogan, (60th) Brian Tucker for Brian Hogan.
Nenagh Éire Óg: Michael McNamara, Mark Flannery, Noel Maloney, John Brennan, Daire Quinn, Billy Heffernan, Adam Grattan, Michael Heffernan (0-5, 0-4 frees), Alan Kelly, Johnny Slattery, Richie Flannery, Pearse Morris (0-1), Paul Ryan, Paddy Murphy (0-3), Brian Quinn (1-0). Subs: (HT) Donnacha Heffernan for Adam Grattan, (HT) Kevin Tucker (0-3, 0-1 ‘65) for Alan Kelly, (HT) Tommy Heffernan for Brian Quinn, (47th) Bob O’Brien (0-2) for Paul Ryan, (47th) David Hackett for Johnny Slattery.
Referee: Dan Darcy (Kilruane MacDonagh’s).
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