Ryan snatches late Premier IHC victory for Murroe-Boher against Bruff

MURROE-BOHER earned their third Lyons of Limerick Premier Intermediate Hurling Championship win on the bounce after seeing off Bruff by 1-15 to 0-17 in Fedamore in a crack contest.

There were times when Bruff looked on course to grab a first victory after two draws in their opening outings but they could never translate a comeback into taking the lead.

Before the break, they were hit by four points from 100 metres or more from the posts and, while the wind eased up after the break, they never showed the same composure under pressure.

Owen Meaney's free got Bruff off the mark before Murroe-Boher made use of the noticeable breeze on the tight pitch and took the lead when Mark Nicholas's opener off a long delivery was followed by Killian Quaid came out from his goals to take the pass and point from deep inside his own half.

Meaney soon equalised but Pat Tobin’s charges went two ahead when wing-backs Oisín Holmes and Aaron Kennedy (free) also found their range from distance.

However, after Meaney's free was met by Dylan Sheehan, a bust-up led to Kennedy picking up a straight red.

The loss of Kennedy increased Bruff 's presence around the middle and led to Darragh Butler and Danny O'Leary's sideline cut tying up the scores by the quarter mark.

However, the Stars failed to capitalise on their extra man. Mark Nicholas and Meaney traded blows and efforts from Seanie Tobin and Holmes put Murroe-Boher in a good position heading towards half time.

They bounced into a lead of five when Tobin flicked his 20 metre free aside to the unmarked Jack Casey who buried into the net.

Charlie Cronin pulled a point back for Bruff immediately after the puckout. A long range Tobin free and a reply into the breeze from Meaney saw the score at 1-12 to 0-8 to Murroe-Boher at the break.

The wind had died considerably by the time the game resumed but Bruff still got out of the traps at pace through two Paul Browne scores from play and a free by Meaney.

Josh Keating came closest to hitting the net for Bruff when he collected a fierce Seán Finn pass but his strike shaved the crossbar when it went over the bar.

Bruff restored parity with Meaney’s unerring accuracy to the fore heading into the final quarter but a point from play and another from a free by Tobin was added to by Nicholas to put Murroe-Boher three clear.

The Stars did manage to get level once again with Meaney striking two more frees either side of Cronin’s effort from play.

Meaney and Jack Nicholas traded blows heading into injury time but it was Murroe-Boher that snatched a late, late victory through Mikey Ryan’s score just before the full time whistle.

SCORERS - MURROE-BOHER: Seanie Tobin 0-5 (4f), Jack Casey 1-0, Oisín Holmes 0-3 (1f), Mark Nicholas 0-2, Killian Quaid, Aaron Kennedy (1f), Dylan Sheehan, Jack Nicholas, Mikey Ryan 0-1 each; BRUFF: Owen Meaney 0-10 (10f), Charlie Cronin, Paul Browne 0-2 each, Darragh Butler, Paddy O'Leary (sideline), Josh Keating 0-1 each.

MURROE-BOHER: Killian Quaid; Seán Fitzgerald, Cillian Byrnes, Fintan Sheridan; Aaron Kennedy, Darragh Kennedy, Oisín Holmes; Mark Nicholas, Dylan Sheehan; Conor Foley, John O'Keeffe, Michael Ryan; Mikey Ryan, Seanie Tobin, Jack Casey; Sub: Jack Nicholas for Foley (36 mins).

BRUFF: Eric Finn; Conor Shanahan, Patrick Finn, Colm O'Loughlin; Seán Finn, Paul O'Riordan, Kevin Bonnar; Owen Meaney, Mickey O'Riordan; Barry Callinan, Josh Keating, Darragh Butler; Danny O'Leary, Paul Browne, Evan Daly; Subs: Charlie Cronin for Butler (20 mins, inj), Gavin Bracken for M O'Riordan (55 mins).

Referee: Timmy McGrath (Oola).