Borris-Ileigh GAA Match Report 2023
FBD County Senior Hurling League-Round 2 vs Moycarkey Borris
Borris-Ileigh Starting Lineup
Jody Harkin
Colm Boyle Liam Ryan Johnny McGrath
Seamus Burke Kevin Maher Brendan Maher (1pt)
Sean McCormack Tomas Ryan (2pts)
Conor Kenny (6pts) Shane Kenny Jerry Kelly (7pts (5fs) (1 65’))
Jack Hogan (2pts) Dan Ryan (1-1) James “JD” Devaney (1 pt)
Mikey Kennedy for Sean McCormack
Cathal Hogan for Johnny McGrath
Shane McCormack for Shane Kenny
Bill O’Connell for Conor Kenny
Borris-Ileigh’s Senior hurling squad travelled to Littleton for a contest with Moycarkey Borris on Wednesday, the 29th of March. Borris were playing their second game in three days after an opening day win against Clonoulty, their hosts also victorious on Day 1 with a win over Mullinahone. The game began with a good pace and quite similar to Borris’ first game in both teams looking comfortable on the ball and testing each other’s full back lines with delivery albeit less targeted. Conor Kenny opened Borris’ account with a well worked finish from a Brendan Maher assist before Jerry Kelly converted a 65’ that was a result of good hustling from Conor and a good turnover. Borris’ backs were in the action frequently early on and applied well other than one goal chance that was snuffed out by Johnny McGrath with a last ditch hook from behind. The score was 2 points each after 6 minutes, Borris looking comfortable on the ball and starting to show a consistent intent to find team mates, Moycarkey doing well to stagnant scoring chances with a sweeper. Borris were resigned to placed ball opportunities and duly accepted with Jerry calmly slotting his first and second back to back in quick succession, bright sparks before a Moycarkey block of control where they utilised their short game well and kept targeting their full forward with dangerous ball, Borris doing well to limit scores whilst on the back foot in the second quarter. Conor Kenny was looking threatening in a multitude of positions within the forward line and stepped up with another point to keep the scoreboard ticking over before Jerry added free number 3, the phase of play leading to a Moycarkey slender lead at 7-6 after 23 minutes. Jerry was looking very sharp throughout the half with excellent movement on both wings and stood up to finish a tough effort from near the left wing but Moycarkey answered just as the half time whistle arrived with the hosts leading 8 points to 7 at the interval. Borris showed an excellent fluidity on their wings and had serious threats in the half forward line, the backs showing an increasing confident on ball with some areas to improve including shooting accuracy and Moycarkey’s danger near goal.
Borris started the second half on the front foot and opened up a goal chance that was blocked and a corresponding 65’ just veering wide, an unfortunate start of a number of wides in the first five minutes of the quarter. Conor stopped the shooting slump with two points in quick succession to reward the team’s ascendancy over their opponents in the quarter, Borris’ forward line starting to ramp up their threat with more variety, JD showing a quick turn of foot to finish a Jerry catch and pass for his first of the game. Mikey Kennedy replaced Sean McCormack soon after before corner forward Jack Hogan continued his early season form with a point as Borris were starting to manage the game well, shutting down Moycarkey’s passing game in the middle third more frequently. Tomas Ryan then stepped up with a long range score as Borris led 12-10 after 43 minutes, the midfielder repeating the feat soon after before a lull in the game arrived with both teams struggling to open up clear cut chances. A key moment then occurred when a promising Moycarkey attack was overturned by Borris work rate which led to pass after pass before Conor continued his shooting streak to deliver a hammer blow to the opponents. Brendan then scored a point from the wing to make it 17-12 to Borris before Shane McCormack replaced Shane Kenny. JD was really starting to have his way in the forward line as the 4th quarter arrived and showed excellent link up play with Jerry which led to some near misses for goals but eventually a successful venture when passing inside led to Dan Ryan showing good hands and a good finish for the team’s first green flag of the game. Moycarkey, to their credit responded in the best way possible with a goal of their own to keep the game active, the JD/Jerry combo leading Jerry’s fourth free, the first of the half but extending a lead that was needed as Moycarkey scored two late goals to keep the game in the melting pot. Dan Ryan caused a turnover and finished with an excellent score as Cathal Hogan replaced Johnny McGrath and Bill O’Connell replaced Conor Kenny as the final minutes descended, Borris held on for a good win as the full time score was Borris-Ileigh 1-20, Moycarkey Borris 3-12.
Borris’ will be grateful for two tough games in three nights in preparation for further tests down the line, the team showing an excellent work rate and high intensity for large periods despite the quick turnaround. Stand outs in the first half were Brendan aswell as forwards Jerry and Conor who showed aerial threat, high work rate and a variety of positioning that opened up space on various occasions. The back line showed excellent application in the second half getting closer to their attackers aswell as being aided by a high work rate further down the field to shut off a passing game and the follow up good delivery. Borris now wait for a fortnight until their next game, stay tuned to the social media pages for updates.
