Borris-Ileigh GAA Club Match Report
Borris-Ileigh vs Toomevara (Junior A North Championship- Round 3)
8th July 2022
Borris-Ileigh starting lineup
Cathal Bourke (2pts (2fs))
Damien Dunne Matthew Stapleton Johnny McGrath
Cathal Hogan Bill O’Connell (1pt) Miksie Carey
Adam Galvin Shane McCormack (3pts)
David O’Connor (1pt) Shane Kenny (3pts) Danny Ryan
Dan Ryan Jack Hogan (1pt) Jack Fitzgerald (6pts (5fs)
Harry Gould for Dan Ryan
Borris-Ileigh’s Junior A squad returned to competitive action after a multi week break with a trip to Templederry and a contest with rivals, Toomevara in round 3 of the competition for Borris. A repeat of the league final with some changes due to senior commitments, an evenly contested affair was still expected. The game started at a good pace for both teams with Borris’ first score coming from an unlikely source in goalkeeper Cathal Bourke who showed efficient long range shooting to open the league champion’s account for the evening. The two Shane’s then added scores, McCormack after a ruck win and Kenny after a well caught possession leading to a level game of 3 apiece after 5 minutes. The quick start on the scoreboard subsided with Borris missing a few frees but good work rate in the backline stopping punishment at the other end. The scoring lull was ended when Jack Fitz stepped up for his first placed ball success of the game but Toome then got on top and found space deep in the Borris defences to increase their presence on the scoreboard. Jack Fitz showed excellent turn of foot to restart Borris’ threat from open play but Toome maintained a two point advantage after approximately 20 minutes. Fitz scored his second free of the game but Toome were matching their counterparts score for score before Cathal Bourke stepped up again to repeat his earlier success to give Borris bonus scores from such long range. Toome then punished some open space on the left hand side for a run from deep and a very well taken goal to take a hold of the game but Borris responded very well with their best team play of the half, Shane Kenny showing yet more excellent high ball ability to set up Jack Hogan for a well taken score. Shane McCormack stepped up with a nice individual point late into the half but Borris backs finished the half a distance off their men which allowed Toome maintain a nice lead as the half drew to a close with Toomevara leading Borris 1-10 to 9 points.
Borris came out for the second half with an intent to drive at the Toome defence which led to a platitude of frees early on with Fitz finishing free’s 3, 4 and 5 in quick order to bring the deficit within a goal. A constant positive throughout the game, Damien Dunne showed composure to set up team mate David O’Connor who showed his long range prowess for the number 10’s first of the game as Borris were starting to find attackers from well won ball in the backline. Harry Gould replaced Dan Ryan in the 45th minute but Toome had a second wind and returned the advantage to 3 points after 47, both teams showing their continued work rate. Bill O’Connell then reacted quickest to a team turnover to slot over a long range shot as Borris were increasing in confidence and perhaps the first half was done to the long layoff caused by a walkover and a gap week. The efficient shooting of the 3rd quarter disappeared however as the team started to shoot inefficiently from long range and also create some handling errors to let Toome off the hook. The final moments had arrived and a move of Shane McCormack closer to goal worked when he was found with a quick free for a well taken score and then backed it up moments later as he found space to bring the teams to within one. The threatening and tirelessly running Shane Kenny then gathered possession in injury time to head for goal and take a point which was reward for his performance. The referee then blew the final whistle and the game ended in a draw on a scoreline of Borris 17 points to Toomevara’s 1-14.
As mentioned before, Borris had a long gap between competition action and it showed in the first half when the defence at times was well off their men on deliveries but this was shored up in the second half with notable performances from both corner backs, Johnny McGrath and Damien Dunne. Borris came out for the 3rd quarter with an intent to attack the Toome backline but also showed efficient long range shooting when the opportunity arose. Borris showed a late game work rate that has now become a staple of the team which gave them ample amounts of opportunities to increase their score but inefficient shooting in the 4th quarter took the comeback to the last moments but the team showed excellent composure with Shane McCormack stepping up well with two late points and Shane Kenny showing excellent handling and scoring ability. Both teams are seen as threats for the North Championship and this game showed enough evidence to suggest they could meet again in a few weeks’ time. Borris have one final group game against Kilruane and stay tuned to the club’s social media accounts for further details.
