Birr send disappointing Shamrocks packing with powerful second half tour-de-force

BIRR rallied powerfully in the second half to book their place in the Intermediate Hurling Championship final, leaving a bitterly disappointed Shamrocks licking their wounds.

Molloy Precast and Environmental Systems Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-final

Birr 1-22

Shamrocks 1-20

Playing into a slight wind in the second half, Birr performed really well to out score their opponents by 1-12 to 0-7 and were well worth their win.

Shamrocks could only manage two points from play in a very substandard, almost static second half display and that is the reason they lost. While Birr were also reliant on frees, they posed more scoring threat up front while their defence, superbly marshalled by the veteran Brian Watkins, got on top and won most of their individual battles in the second half.

It looked like Shamrocks would win with a degree of comfort as they led by 1-13 to 0-10 at half time. They were superbly efficient in the first half, taking almost every chance and registering just one wide.

There was almost nothing between the teams for twenty minutes with them level on five occasions as Birr got three in a row via Ricky Fitzsimons, Cian Nolan (free) and Eoin Pilkington to draw it up at 0-7 each after 18 minutes. Shamrocks struck for 1-3 without reply to lead by 1-10 to 0-7 after 24 minutes, Johnny O'Toole-Greene riffling home a fine goal.

A six point lead was a big one at half time and it was set up for Shamrocks to win but they just didn't perform well enough and score enough in the second half.

A lot of this was down to a much improved Birr display, particularly in the closing quarter. Shamrocks led by 1-16 to 0-14 after 39 minutes but Birr were clearly the best team from here to the final whistle.

They scored 1-4 without reply between the 40^th and 49^th minute to grab a 1-18 to 1-16 lead. The goal was scored by Michael Dwane, set up by Dylan Murphy, in the 49^th minute and Shamrocks looked shell-shocked but showed great character to wrestle back the initiative.

Nigel Dunne and Johnny O'Toole-Greene got points from play as they regained the lead, 1-19 to 1-18, with six minutes left. Cian Nolan got a point from play and a free to give Birr back the lead and Nigel Dunne equalised for Shamrocks from a 58^th minute free.

Extra time loomed large but Shamrocks ran out of steam as Birr found another gear late on. The loss of full back Conor Condron to an injury was a big one for Shamrocks and Birr edged in front with a Nolan free as it entered three minutes of injury time.

It was all Birr late on and they missed three chances before Ricky Fitzsimons firing over a 62 minute point, leaving Shamrocks needing a goal to survive.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Cian Nolan (Birr): Brian Watkins was immense at the heart of the Birr defence and they may not have won it without him but Cian Nolan's accuracy was instrumental in Birr advancing. He got three of his fourteen points from play and also had a couple of assists in a very effective display.

Nigel Dunne did the same for Shamrocks, scoring three of his thirteen points from play and he was the single biggest reason they went so close. Johnny O'Toole-Greene had a super first half for them, and while he wasn't as prominent in the second half, he did get an important point.

THE SCORERS

Birr: Cian Nolan 0-14 (11f), Eoin Pilkington 0-3, Michael Dwane 1-0, Ricky Fitzsimons and Darragh Tierney 0-2 each, Darragh McNamara 0-1.

Shamrocks: Nigel Dunne 0-13 (9f and 1 '65'), Johnny O'Toole-Greene 1-3, David O'Rourke and Shane Heffernan 0-2 each.

THE TEAMS

SHAMROCKS: Darragh Minnock; Sean Mooney, Conor Condron, Mark Buckley; Cathal Healion, Padraig Cantwell, Mark Malone; Dan Heffernan, David O'Rourke; Johnny O'Toole-Greene, Nigel Dunne, Neil Minnock; Shane O'Toole-Greene, Shane Heffernan, Darragh Neville. Subs – Eoghan Meacle for Dan Heffernan (43m), Conor Kearney for Condron, inj. (50m), David O'Toole-Greene for Neville (52m),

BIRR: Deven Beale; Joseph Boyd, Craig Pardy, Ben Pardy; Darragh McNamara, Brian Watkins, Sam Smith; Ricky Fitzsimons, Craig Shortt; Eoin Pilkington, Cian Nolan, Dylan Murphy; Gavin Guilfoyle, Darragh Tierney, Michael Dwane. Subs – Adriano Szoma for Boyd, inj., (28m), Ronan Bergin for Murphy (58m),

Referee – Brian Gavin, Clara.

REFEREE WATCH

Brian Gavin refereed it well with no big issues. There was only one linesman and that shouldn't happen for a fixture of this importance.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

The save Deven Beale made from Neil Minnock in the 49^th minute was crucial as Beale earned his spurs. It was his first game of the championship as the intermediate goalkeeper and captain, Adam Fitzgerald was called up by the seniors for their win over Ballinamere. Beale hadn't been the sub goalie but he handled everything well here.

VENUE WATCH

The O'Connor Park pitch looked absolutely pristine with the lines looking clearer than normal, creating a very positive visual effect.

WHAT'S NEXT

Birr go into the final while Shamrocks' year is over.

STATISTICS

Wides: Shamrocks – 4 (1 in first half); Birr – 6 (3 in first half).

Yellow cards: Birr – 1 (Gavin Guilfoyle); Shamrocks – 1 (Shane Heffernan),

Red cards: 0