Borris-Ileigh GAA Club Match Report
Borris-Ileigh vs Roscrea (North Junior A Championship-Round 1)
3rd June 2022
Borris-Ileigh starting lineup
Cathal Bourke
Cathal Hogan Matthew Stapleton Johnny McGrath
Mikey Kennedy Jody Harkin (1pt (If)) Colm Boyle (1pt)
Adam Galvin Bill O’Connell (1pt)
David O’Connor (3pts) Danny Ryan (1pt) Jack Hogan (6 pts)
Micheal Carey Fintan Holland Jack Fitzgerald (1-6 (4fs))
Harry Gould for Fintan Holland
Shane McCormack for Cathal Hogan
Borris-Ileigh’s Junior A squad began their championship campaign for 2022 with a trip to Cloughjordan and a meeting with Roscrea on Friday the 3rd of June. A battle between the previous two league title winners, a well contested game was expected. With the switch to championship format and a need for team changes, Borris started with Jody Harkin at the 6 and Bill O’Connell being granted a free roaming role in the middle third and the return to the starting lineup for David O’Connor up front in place of Thomas Fahy. Borris, looking to avoid a competitive hangover from a first league title in 44 years started the slower with Roscrea opening up a quick 2 point lead but Borris responded with their first point courtesy of Jack Hogan at the 6 minute mark. Borris really ramped up the work rate from this point with a puckout turnover leading to Jack Fitz opening his placed ball account for the evening before another turnover caused by Cathal Hogan opened up a long ball opportunity which was quickly transferred to Jack Fitz who went on a quick solo run and a cool finish was quickly attained for the Borris team to go ahead 1-2 to 2 points on the back of a rapid 1-2 scoring surge primarily due to the work rate and turnover ability. David O’Connor then stepped up with a fantastic effort from the sideline to continue the scoreboard reward for high intensity in the tackle before Jack Fitz doubled his efforts from frees as Borris were snuffing out Roscrea whilst showing a clinical touch up front. Roscrea were trying to match Borris with physicality but were ill disciplined whilst Borris continued with the theme of work rate which led to two more points through the scoring of Jack Hogan and an Adam Galvin assisted score from Jack Fitz as Borris were really turning the screw in the tackling game with Roscrea struggling to get in the game, 1-4 to 5 points in favour of Borris after 18 minutes. Borris refused to let their levels drop even as the final minutes of the half drew near with Colm Boyle adding a tough midfield score before Bill O’Connell increased Borris’ presence on the scoreboard with a well taken score as Borris maintained a 3 pt lead after 26 minutes. Borris’ physical efforts were clearly frustrating their opponents which led to free taking opportunities which were duly slotted by Jody from long range and Jack Fitz, his 3rd of the half as Borris aimed to increase their distance on the scoreboard with the half ending on a positive note when Jack Hogan gathered possession with goal in mind but unselfishly found Jack Fitz for another point as the half time whistle arrived with Borris leading 1-11 to 8 points.
Borris began the second half with a continuing of high work ethic which led to Jack Fitz finishing his 4th free to extend the lead before a turnover in a low percentage play led to Danny Ryan splitting the posts with a good score. One of the plays of the game then occurred when a passing game from back to front was finished by Jack Hogan as Borris kept the consistent lead from the half of 6 points 10 minutes into the second half. Borris’ work rate continued deep into the third quarter but the scoring chances began to be few and far between before Roscrea were handed a lifeline when an attempted short game near the Borris goal ended in a turnover and a green flag for Roscrea who used the goal as a launch pad for a renewed push in the game, Borris doing well to keep scores low whilst they attempted to find another attacking surge of momentum. Borris went a period of minutes without a point before Doc stepped up and reacted quickest to stop the scoring drought and alleviate some pressure before the number 10 again gathered ball and went towards goal but narrowly shot above the crossbar but the key for Borris of a 4 point lead and a 2 score game vital leading into the final few minutes. Harry Gould replaced Fintan Holland in the full forward line as the final minutes descended on a hard fought game, the substitute doing very well handing off to Jack Hogan who showed efficient shooting to expand the team’s lead and a clear sense of Borris getting more and more into the ascendency with a second wind whilst Roscrea were looking for answers up front and needing them quick. Roscrea did well to claw back the deficit to 2 with a scoreline of 1-17 to 1-15 as the 60 minute mark arrived but Jack Hogan stepped up with 2 toughly contested points which coupled with a resolute defensive effort by the Borris backs emphasised by Matthew Stapleton led to the result of Borris running out deserved winners on a final scoreline of 1-19 to 1-15
As mentioned before, the theme for the first 40 or so minutes was the incredible work rate shown by all lines of the Borris team which was a real testament considering a slump could of existed post league title victory. Roscrea have proven to be very difficult opposition in the Junior ranks in the last few years with wins shared but Borris were able to smother any attacking play and were able to transfer the efforts to the scoreboard. Borris had a lull in the minutes prior to the 4th quarter including a sloppy goal given away but were able to find their second wind and produce some tough scoring which supported them in maintaining a lead down the stretch and a fantastic start to the campaign and a great launch pad for future games.
