Borris-Ileigh GAA Club Match Report
Borris-Ileigh vs Kilruane MacDonaghs (FBD Insurance Senior County Hurling League- Round 5)
15th May 2022
Borris-Ileigh starting lineup
James McCormack
Seamus Burke Ray McCormack Paddy Stapleton
Liam Ryan (C) Jerry Kelly (1pt) Bill O’Connell (2pts)
Mikey Kennedy Sean McCormack (1pt)
Conor Kenny (4pts) Eddie Ryan (5fs) Niall Kenny (1pt)
James “JD” Devaney (2pts) Thomas Fahy (1-2) Jack Fitzgerald (1pt)
Colm Boyle for Paddy Stapleton
Jack Hogan for Thomas Fahy
Jody Harkin for Jack Fitzgerald
Shane Kenny for Bill O’Conell
Borris-Ileigh’s senior panel travelled to Cloughjordan for a final group game contest with Kilruane Macdonaghs on Sunday, the 15th of May. Borris were aware going into the game that a draw was enough to guarantee progress into the semi final stage but knew not to rest on their laurels with a tough game against the home side expected. Borris made a few changes from their last outing with Ray McCormack reverting to full back in place of Ciaran Cowan, Bill O’Connell taking the 7 shirt whilst Jerry Kelly deputised in centre back for Brendan Maher, Sean McCormack and Eddie Ryan after Tipperary duty also returning to the lineup. Kilruane came out of the starting blocks quicker from throw in however, Borris defenders off their men early which led to 3 quick scores for the home team, Jerry Kelly ending the run with a very well taken long range shot as he progressed from the 6 position. Borris put together a carbon copy of Kilruane’s early control when Conor Kenny scored from a difficult angle near sideline and Eddie Ryan resumed his free taking duties with a long range placed ball after Niall Kenny had shown good handling to garner the free. Borris responded very well to the early deficit and continued their momentum with continued scoring in the form of an Eddie free and two tough shot conversions by Conor on the other side and Bill O’Connell from long range. Conor and Bill then teamed up with the former showing vision to find Bill who showed efficient finishing ability to extend the team’s lead and control of the quarter. JD then got into the action maximising some space and good footwork to get on the scoreboard before Borris scored a crucial goal, Thomas Fahy continuing on from his fine performance in the Junior semi reacting quickest to a mixup near the goaline to really solidify Borris’ dominance in the period. Eddie the continued his efficiency in the free making department with number 3 of the half which was quickly followed by Sean McCormack finishing well from a Toco pass to make the scoreline 1-10 to 8 points in favour of the away team. Eddie added a 4th free from good team play leading to fouls on a continuous basis before the team went into a scoring lull with minutes left in the half. James McCormack showed quick reactions to shut off a Kilruane shot at goal but the home team were gaining more of a footing in the game, akin to their control of the first few minutes. Jack Fitz ended the lull with a well taken score but Kilruane went into the break with more momentum despite trailing 1-12 to 12 points. Jerry Kelly really stood out during Borris’ period of control finding pockets of space in the centre back position and providing targeted ball into a dangerous forward line, the long range shooting another positive against a team really up for the contest.
Thomas Fahy started the second half really well for Borris when he created his own score near goal before setting up Conor for the wing forward’s 3rd of the game to increase the lead on the scoreboard. These were moments of positivity as unfortunately, Borris’ work rate dipped again post break as pre break with Kilruane getting on top and sniffing goals, James Mc doing very well to block another goalbound shot. Kilruane began to claw back the deficit with good shooting from both inside and outside areas before Borris came back into it when Jerry linked up with team mate Conor before retrieving a pass and scoring a fantastic team worked play before JD created space down the stand side and put the foot down towards goal but a good save from the goalkeeper still resulted in a point for Borris. Borris freshened up the forward line near the end of the 3rd quarter when Shane Kenny Jody Harkin replaced Bill and Jack Fitz but Kilruane were still well in the game, eventually eliminating any deficit with an all square game of 1-16 to 19 points with 15 minutes to go. Borris appeared to be re energised with this event and re took the lead when Jody scored from an Eddie assist and JD followed suit, assisted by Shane Kenny. A huge moment in the game then occurred when a long ball into the Borris square was finished by a Kilruane forward and a green flag but was quickly overturned by the referee. Borris reacted well to the near call when Conor stepped up again from a difficult angle stand side to bring the teams level again with mere minutes left and a semi final spot at stake. Jack Hogan came on as substitute to add some energy to the middle third but Kilruane were snuffing out any Borris attacks and took the lead on multiple occasions as injury time arrived but Conor again replicated his difficult shooting efficiency with a game leveler before Eddie slotted a tough free from midfield but the game wasn’t done. Kilruane gathered possession in the Borris half and had to attempt passes for a clearer look thanks to excellent Borris work rate, the home team eventually setting up a game winning opportunity but corner forward JD came out of nowhere to make the game saving hook just before the final whistle arrived with a tie game, 1-21for Borris-Ileigh and 24 points for Kilruane, the key being that Borris went through to the semi finals.
Borris will grateful for a game like yesterday, away from home against a quality outfit with stakes on the line and an intensity of game expected later in the year. As aforementioned, there were multiple positional switches to the team with Jerry and Ray acclimatising with a high standard whilst the team were able to re-engage Eddie Ryan after inter county duty, Borris will be buoyed by managing to react well to setbacks within the game where Kilruane appeared to be getting away but quality shooting from the Borris forwards kept the game and scoreboard close and clutch play by Conor Kenny, Eddie and defending from JD at the end made sure that not only had Borris qualified, they qualified as table toppers on the back of the head to head with Clonoulty. Borris will have home advantage in that semi final against near neighbours, Drom and Inch. Stay tuned to the club’s social media pages for further details when they emerge.
