Sean Ryan delivers an incredible display for Templederry Kenyons to down porous Burgess

FBD Insurance Premier Intermediate Hurling Relegation Semi-Final

Templederry Kenyons 4-25

Burgess 5-15

Sean Ryan is once again the saviour of Templederry Kenyons as the former Tipperary forward led his team out of the relegation mire after a hard-fought, high-scoring and extremely entertaining relegation semi-final with Burgess in Nenagh on Sunday afternoon.

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Ryan finished the game with 3-3 from play to his name, and it is no exaggeration to say that he could have had at least six goals by the end, only for the smart goalkeeping of Ronan Tucker at various points throughout the game.

You’d be forgiven for thinking the art of defending was dead and buried looking at this game, but it went along expected lines as both teams have been incredibly porous all campaign and it looked like they went into the game with the attitude that the best defence is a good offense.

Seven first-half goals told that tale, with the goalkeepers being worked consistently outside of those concessions as David Nealon and Sean Ryan were the main predators in the scoring zone throughout.

Goal hungry would be the best description used in the first half of this one, concerning both teams, who seemed hell-bent on raising green flags.

Templederry had taken a 0-4 to 0-3 lead after seven minutes before the first of seven first-half goals was registered, with David Nealon finishing a good move after being fed in at an angle by Stephen Kirwan.

The response from Templederry was emphatic, with Adrian Ryan sweeping home a rebound from a Sean Collins shot inside the square to restore their lead, but the threat of David Nealon continued in the next five minutes, with Burgess hitting their opponents for two goals by the 13th minute.

David Nealon had a hand in both of those with two goal-bound shots saved by Tim McCutcheon, only to fall out for teammates to dispatch as Kieran Grace and Sean Dunne finished the chance well to give their team a big opening quarter boost.

Burgess enjoyed a five-point lead up to the 21st minute, but the Templederry were beginning to get joy out of Sean Ryan, who was being left on an island with Daire Hogan all first half long.

The former Tipperary forward bagged goals in the 19th and 23rd minutes as Burgess continued to leave Daire Hogan exposed, and as the half wore on, it caused more issues, but Burgess continued to cause problems at the other end with Sean Dunne netting a second major after Tony Dunne set him up.

Defending was only optional in this one and, incredibly, it was Templederry who led at half-time on a bonkers scoreline of 3-13 to 4-8.

Seven goals were scored, but there were so many efforts for goals during the first half at both ends that the respective management teams had to become more pragmatic; Burgess first dropped Keith Nealon back to cover Sean Ryan, who was now being marshalled by Donagh Maher.

However, with the more attacking threat and spread of scorers, that move seemed to suit Templederry more as the introduction of Brian Stapleton allowed him to drop and shore up the leaks at the back.

Scores came for Templederry more easily in the second half, early on, with Adrian Ryan and Sean Ryan dove-tailing nicely in attack with scores to go with Eanna Murray's frees, putting them ahead 3-20 to 4-11 after 49 minutes.

Burgess were thrown a lifeline after 53 minutes when Bill O’Flaherty fielded a high ball and was dragged back in the square, and even though Ronan Tucker’s penalty was saved well by Tim McCutcheon, Kieran Grace followed in on the rebound and pulled home one-handed. The game is now back to just two points.

However, this was officially the Sean Ryan show as he bagged his hat-trick a minute from time after a brilliant delivery from Colm Murray; Ryan finishing like the assassin he is to finish the contest.

Burgess have had little luck with injuries but will take some positives from the game, and with Stephen Murray and Michael Ryan being introduced late in the second half, they will hope they can get them back on the pitch from the start in the relegation final against Clonakenny.

Templederry Kenyons: Tim McCutcheon; Brian Rohan, Tom Stapleton, Mikey Ryan; Tadgh McLoughlin, Liam McCutcheon, Darragh Carey (0-1); Michael Collins (0-1), Pio Kennedy; Gearoid Ryan, Eanna Murray (0-8, 0-5f, 0-2 65), Colm Murray (0-2); Sean Collins (0-1), Sean Ryan (3-6, 0-3f), Adrian Ryan (1-5).

Subs used: Brian Stapleton (0-1) for Kennedy (28, inj).

Burgess: Ronan Tucker; Bryan Quinn, Daire Hogan, Aidan O’Dwyer; Jack O’Flaherty, Donagh Maher, Johnny Mulqueen; Kieran Grace (2-0), Eoin Grace; Keith Nealon (0-1), Diarmaid O’Donoghue, Tony Dunne (0-1); Sean Dunne (2-0), David Nealon (1-11, 0-7f, 0-1 65), Stephen Kirwan (0-1).

Subs used: Bill O’Flaherty for O’Donoghue (28); Kieran Ryan for T Dunne (48); Micheal Ryan for S Dunne (50); Stephen Murray (0-1) for Kirwan (53).

Referee: Conor Doyle (Silvermines)

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