Feisty Junior B football final sees Burgess pip Rosegreen to county honours

FBD Insurance Junior B Football Championship Final

Burgess 2-4

Rosegreen 1-4

By Michael Dundon

Burgess bridged a 24-year gap with their victory over Rosegreen in the FBD Insurance County Junior B Football final at The Ragg on Saturday. This close-fought contest got a bit aggressive in the tense closing stages.

In a low-scoring encounter, with scores at a premium, Burgess deservedly got over the line but their backs were to the wall in the closing minutes as Rosegreen chased the goal they needed to take the encounter to extra time.

Ideal conditions favoured the clash with Burgess getting the dream start when, in the fourth minute, Kieran Grace was set up by Donagh Maher for a goal that put them in the driving seat for the rest of the game. 

However, Rosegreen were on terms after fifteen minutes. Bill O’Flaherty for Burgess and Killian Ryan had swapped points before Rosegreen’s Podge Quinlan was fouled as he went to shoot for a goal. Referee Paddy Russell pointed to the penalty spot and Rosegreen captain Tony Kerwick duly despatched his effort to the net, 1-1 each.

Killian Ryan nudged Rosegreen ahead after 25 minutes but two minutes later, an excellent Burgess move, involving several players, ended with Donagh Maher netting to leave them 2-1 to 1-2 ahead at the break.

Burgess had enjoyed more of the ball in the first half and looked the better side and when they resumed with three unanswered points in the opening ten minutes of the second half, from Kieran Grace, Bill O’Flaherty, and Sean Dunne to go five points clear (2-4 to 1-2) they looked as though they were going to win comfortably.

Rosegreen had other ideas, however. Podge Quinlan pointed at the three-quarter mark followed by another point from Mark Harnett seven minutes later to set the tie-up as a one-score game (2-4 to 1-4). 

Rosegreen piled on the pressure in those hectic closing minutes, and things got a bit heated as the tension increased. Referee Paddy Russell had to draw on all his experience to keep a tight hold on affairs and flashed some yellow cards. Burgess coach Marty Caulfield was red-carded to the bank with three minutes plus to go.

Rosegreen kept pushing forward but Burgess proved equal to the challenge and kept their lines intact to the final whistle when their followers showed their delight at bringing silverware back to the club to end the year on a high note.

Burgess were delighted to hear the final whistle but were value for their win which will see them play in junior A ranks next year as a bonus. They brought lots of energy and commitment to their game and were quite comfortable in possession. 

With a U21 hurling game the day after, they took the unusual step of withdrawing four players in one swoop after 39 minutes but they got over the line notwithstanding.

Their key men were Kieran Grace, Tony Dunne, Bill O’Flaherty Sean Dunne, and Donagh Maher while sub Stephen Kirwan also made an impact when introduced.

Rosegreen who were seeking to end a 20-year barren spell came up just short despite the best efforts of Patrick Colville, Killian Ryan, Tom Dowling, JP Anglim, and Kevin Tobin. 

They had a fair sprinkling of young players in their side and the challenge for them is to build on this experience and go one better next year.

Burgess: Colm O’Brien; William Ryan, John O’Brien, Jack O’Flaherty; Kieran Grace (1-1), Tony Dunne, Aidan O’Dwyer; Bill O’Flaherty (0-2), Johnny Mulqueen; Kieran Ryan, Stephen Murray, Danny Ryan; Sean Dunne (0-1), Eoin Hogan, Donagh Maher (1-0).

Subs used:  Liam Grace for O’Dwyer (39); Michael Ryan for Grace (39), Eoin Grace for Hogan (39), Stephen Kirwan for B O’Flaherty (39); David Nealon for Murray (59).

Rosegreen: Gerard Cummins; Sean Ryan, Kevin Tobin, Ross Bourke; Tony Kerwick (1-0 pen), Tom Dowling, Patrick Colville; Keith Bergin, Pa Ryan; Daniel Hayde, JP Anglim, Killian Ryan (0-2); Podge Quinlan (0-1), Diarmuid Quinlan (0-1), Colin Bourke.

Subs used: Eoin McSweeney for Quinlan (36); Vinny Downey for K Ryan and Mark Harnett (0-1) for Hayde (49); Danny Fanning for P Ryan (53); Nick Ryan for Bourke (63).

Referee: Paddy Russell (Lattin Cullen)