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North Semi-Final
Burgess 1-15
Kildangan 2-12
Burgess live to fight another day after
Saturday September 11th 2004
Intermediate North Hurling Semi-Final
by David Mc Donnell
Burgess 1-15 Kildangan 2-12
There was a dramatic finale to this North Intermediate Hurling semi-final.
With three minutes of normal time remaining Kildangan led by a point when they were awarded a disputed free 40 yards out
from the Burgess goal. Burgess defender, Noel McDonnell was fouled coming out with the ball, but the referee judged that the
defender held onto the ball for too long and Kildangan&'s Patrick Lynch duly pointed to put two between the sides.
Two minutes later Tony Scroope set off on a surging run through the Kildangan defence before catching the ball, for what
appeared to be the third time, and shooting high between the posts for a point that was allowed. Then, at the end of normal
time, Noel Gleeson pointed from a free to level the scores. But, the drama didn't stop there as the game entered injury time.
A minute into injury time, Burgess had the opportunity to win the game when they were awarded a free 35 yards out, but
wing-forward Niall Quigley's effort dropped short and Dermot Hogan in the Kildangan goal promptly cleared to safety. The sliotar
was moved upfield and Conor Hayes caught, drew a defender and handpassed to Hugh Flannery, who shot over to give Kildangan
what seemed to be the winning score with the contest approaching the death.
But, five minutes into injury time, Burgess were awarded a free 65 yards out on the left touchline. Remonstrations on
the validity of the free were made by a member of the Kildangan management who encroached the field, the result of which saw
referee, Sean Bradshaw promptly move the free 20 yards downfield. Still faced a difficult opportunity under pressure, Tipp
Under 21 star Tony Scroope manned up to the challenge and stroked the sliotar between the posts and sent this tie to a replay.
The beginning of this game started poorly and it took a full eight minutes for the game's first score, which came from
a Darragh Egan free. Burgess opened their account shortly afterwards when good interplay between Niall Quigley and Robbie
Cremin saw the ball worked out to Brian Hogan. Hogan shot for a point but mis-hit the ball which went low all the way to the
back of the Kildangan net eluding keeper Dermot Hogan.
The game then kicked into life. Three pointed efforts from Egan were cancelled out by three points from play for Burgess
through Scroope, Gleeson and Eoin Hogan. The sides continued to trade scores until Kildangan reduced the gap to a single point
after a Darragh Egan pointed free, his sixth point of the game, was followed up with a point from Lynch.
Then four minutes before referee whistle for half-time, a ball from the left side of the field was sent into the full-forward
line. Burgess corner-back, Liam Hogan misjudged the high bounce from the sliotar and corner forward, Conor Hayes swung first
time to send the ball to the net to give the team in blue and gold a two-point lead, which was cut to a point when Gleeson
pointed from placed ball before the break.
The second half began slowly like the first. The only score in the opening nine minutes came when Darragh Egan controlled
the sliotar and pointed from the right side of the field within a minute of play.
After 12 minutes, Burgess levelled when a pointed free by Gleeson was followed up when the same player scored from play.
However, Kildangan got their second goal a minute later, when wing forward, Hugh Flannery caught a low outcoming clearance
30 yards out. He ran on a few steps before unleashing a shot past Niall McGrath in the Burgess goal. Burgess responded five
minutes later with two pointed
frees from Niall Quigley, before the sides swapped points through Patrick Lynch and Shane Maher before the entertaining
finale ensued.
It had been a frantic finish and in the end, Burgess were happier with the draw. Perhaps Kildangan will rue arguments
directed at the referee during the final moments. Nevertheless, the replay will be played this weekend and North Intermediate
champions; Burgess will once again be favourites to progress to another final.
Scorers :
Burgess: N Gleeson (0-7,5f), B Hogan (1-1), T Scroope (0-3,1f), N Quigley (0-2,2f), E Hogan and S Maher (0-1 each).
Kildangan:
D Egan (0-7, 4f, 1'65), H Flannery, C Hayes (1-1 each), P Lynch (0-3,1f),
Burgess:
N McGrath; T Hogan, D O'Brien, L Hogan; D Maher, C Quigley, N McDonnell; E Hogan, B Hogan; R Cremin, S Maher, N Quigley;
N Gleeson, T Scroope, K Nealon.
Kildangan:
D Hogan; J Flannery, B Lawlor, M Ryan; K Hogan, L Kelly, G Slattery; C McGrath, J Maher; P Lynch, J Minehan, h Flannery;
C Hayes, L K Flannery, D Egan. Sub: B Kelly for C McGrath (41 min).
Referee: Sean Bradshaw (Knockavilla Kickhams)
© Nenagh Guardian
& http://www.unison.ie/
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