Borris-Ileigh GAA Club Match Report
Borris-Ileigh vs Kilruane MacDonaghs (Junior A North Championship- Semi Final)
29th July 2022
Borris-Ileigh starting lineup
Cathal Bourke
Johnny McGrath Matthew Stapleton Cathal Hogan
Colm Boyle (3pts) Jody Harkin (1pt (1f) Mikey Kennedy
Bill O’Connell (1pt) Shane McCormack (2pts)
David O’Connor (2pts) Shane Kenny (3pts) Jack Hogan (1pt)
Miksie Carey Danny Ryan (1pt) Jack Fitzgerald (1-8(5fs)
Thomas Fahy for Bill O’Connell
Damien Dunne for Jack Hogan
Fintan Holland for Cathal Hogan
Cathal Hogan for Jody Harkin
Borris-Ileigh’s Junior A squad returned to the scene of their last group game with a repeat outing against Kilruane MacDonaghs on Friday, the 29th of July with higher stakes this time in the form of a place in the North Junior A final up for grabs. Largely unchanged from their previous game with the return of Colm Boyle in place of Damien Dunne and the relocation of Cathal Hogan to the full back line, Borris were looking for similar performance and end result in relation to that last game. Borris started well with sliotar in hand and showed a confidence and patience which led quickly to the first score when David O’Connor found Jack Hogan with a sideline and regained possession which led to a high and curling shot for a good score. Concie then went from assisting to scoring when Shane Kenny did well to grab an aerial delivery and find his fellow half forward team mate who finished well. Borris were showing an intent to deliver to their forwards in promising positions with good movement and vision whilst Kilruane were relying on long ball delivery to their big full forward line which was generating little rewards as Matthew Stapleton was doing well to snuff out the challenge early on. One slight negative in the first ten minutes for Borris were the handling errors from multiple forwards who struggled to gather prime possession which led to turnovers with Kilruane generating scoring opportunities, mixed results but 2 scores to even up the game after the ten minute mark. The scoring threat seemed to spur the Borris boys on as they upped the intensity of play with possession and quickly reeled off a three point period with Colm Boyle showing little rust after injury, Shane Mc finishing a Miksie Carey assist and Jack Fitz maximising the space he generated to score a well taken point as Borris went 5-2 up. Kilruane to their credit didn’t balk at the surge and returned two scores of their own but as a trend continued through the first half, Borris responded well to their oppositions scoring with an excellent score courtesy of Doc from the stand side which was quickly followed by a high work rate play leading to Shane Kenny scoring another point as Borris led 7-4 after 17 minutes. Borris then put together a 2 pt output from long range with varied approaches, Jody Harkin scoring a long range free before Colm Boyle gathered possession from deep and went on a long solo run before finishing the play for a fantastic point. Colm deserves a mention for his first half display which came after a period on the sidelines, he was in the play a significant amount of time and returned with 3 points in the half from half back. The passage of play for the Borris boys continued when Danny Ryan finished a good team play and then Shane Kenny scored another point full of confidence as Borris were starting to make scoring one way on the scoreboard as opposed to the earlier battle for ascendancy in the scoring department. Colm then finished his 3rd point from near middle of the park before a slump came over the scoring in the game as the half neared its end. The slump was ended late on when Jack Fitz opened up his free taking account with two well taken frees to add to Borris’ control on the scoreboard as the half time whistle drew and Borris leading on a scoreline of 14 points to 7.
Borris refused to start the second half in a comfort zone which was emphasised by Bill O’Connell showing a sharpness up front to deliver a well taken score before Shane Mc went on a solo run before showing good vision and setting up Jack Fitz who finished the play with a white flag to extend the lead. The start to the second half and the lead overall perhaps then led to a slump with regards intensity in the game for a few minutes as both teams struggled to open up scoring opportunities but good awareness and intercepting from Doc set up Shane Kenny for another point to just keep the scoreboard ticking over before Fitz earned and finished his second free of the game as Thomas Fahy entered the fray at the expense of Bill O’Connell. Both teams were trading points which led to a 18-10 advantage for Borris after approx 42 minutes which was extended when Fitz finished free 3 as Damien Dunne replaced Jack Hogan. Kilruane were granted a lifeline when a forward snuck behind the Borris defences and finished for a green flag and a second wind for Kilruane. Fitz was able to finish free number 4 to retain a good lead as Fintan Holland entered the game with Cathal Hogan departing. Fintan made an immediate and sustained difference as a pass led to a Shane Mc point before a cross field pull from Fintan set up a chance for Jack Fitz who cooly finished to the back of the net and a real game clincher, the period resulting in a 1-21 to 1-12 advantage for Borris with minutes remaining. Thomas Fahy then did well to generate a free which was finished by Fitz, number 5 of the game for the corner forward as the game was starting to meander. Fintan did gain just reward for his playmaking when he did well to score off his left side as the team’s final score. Maurice Ryan then came on for David O’Connor as the game entered the final moments with Borris well on top, a late Kilruane goal not making much difference as Borris ran out well deserved victors and passage into a second consecutive North Junior A final appearance with a winning scoreline of 1-23 to 2-12.
Borris’ Junior A squad played the semi final this evening with themes that have become accustomed with the squad, those being a versatile threat up front with aerial play and play along the ground at angles which is supported by an unselfish mentality by all forwards. The Borris backline was targeted with long balls throughout the game but did well to make life very difficult with a constant approach to getting a hurley in the way and a team intensity to regain possession. The team has showed this year a real intent to use possession wisely and attempt to set up attacks through the lines aswell as utilising threats such as Shane Kenny aerially and Jack Fitz with angled ball. Borris now look forward to a second consecutive North final berth and a league final rematch with rivals Toomevara which will take place on the weekend of August 12th, best wishes to the team and management in preparation and stay tuned to the club’s social media accounts for further details on date and location of the final.
