Borris-Ileigh GAA Club Match Report
Borris-Ileigh vs Kilruane MacDonaghs (Hibernian Inn North Senior Quarter Final)
9th July 2023
Borris-Ileigh starting lineup
Jody Harkin
Colm Boyle Liam Ryan Seamus Burke
Brendan Maher Dan McCormack Sean McCormack
Shane Kenny Tomas Ryan (1pt)
Jerry Kelly (1pt) Eddie Ryan (15pts (10fs) 1 65’) James “JD” Devaney (4pts)
Kevin Maher (2pts) Conor Kenny (2pts) Jack Hogan (1pts)
Borris-Ileigh’s senior squad commenced their participation in the 2023 North Senior Championship with a headline game against reigning County Champions, Kilruane MacDonaghs in Dolla on Sunday 9th of July. As mentioned, this mouthwatering tie resumed a fantastic rivalry that began in earnest in 2019’s county semi final when Borris won but Kilruane had got the better of the previous two contests in championship both in 2021. Borris welcomed back Dan McCormack from county duty but were fielding without a few key squad members through injury/travel whilst Kilruane had a similar balance of big names counter balanced by a few missing players which is more likely to be the case at this time of year. Borris started sharper from the get go with wing forward JD gathering possession and running forward with intent that drew the first foul and Eddie Ryan’s first placed success of the contest. Kevin Maher then started scoring proceedings from play with a fine point from the right hand before Eddie finished free number 3 to give the Borris men a 3 points to nothing lead after 3 minutes. Eddie appeared to be buoyed by the early striking as he scored back to back scores from play as Borris looked sharp and intent on shooting when the chance was there. Kilruane came into the game and only trailed by the minimum at the 9 minute mark, a clear indicator of how little was between the teams with both sets of players showing excellent work rate and grit as the sliotar went back and forth between both backlines. Jerry Kelly showed excellent physicality for the team’s next score which was the follow up to excellent forward work ethic and the deserved result of a point. Work rate was replaced by interplay next up when JD scored his first of the game as the forward was looking dangerous. Borris dominated the proceedings for the next few minutes as Tom Ryan Foot scored from long range as Borris led 9-6 after 17 minutes before a stoppage in play killed Borris’ momentum and allowed Kilruane to come back into the game which was a combo of good quick play, some Borris wides and free taking from the county champs. Shane Kenny caught an excellent possession from the puck out which led to Eddie’s 5th free before Kilruane had a good goal chance that was driven just wide, a wake up call for Borris who badly needed a score and it came courtesy of Conor Kenny but Borris winning 11-10 after 26 minutes and a tight game ensued. Borris matched Kilruane’s goal chance when Jerry fed JD who was stopped by the goalkeeper but both teams looking for the green flag. Borris finished the half slightly on top with two scores, Eddie slotting a 65’ and then a long range score from a Jerry assist, the half finishing with Borris winning 13-12.
Kilruane came out far quicker for the second half with two quick points in the first 3 minutes to take the lead but Eddie scored free number 6 to get the scoreboard ticking over again before Jack Hogan had a goal chance that required a goalkeeper save but the goal seeking from the first half of both teams appeared to disappear with greater emphasis on the middle third battle. Eddie then started a personal scoring spree for the Borris men when he scored the next four points, all frees and from various ranges. The score remained deadlocked at the 39 minute mark at 16-16, Eddie’s last two free’s of Eddie’s quartet giving Borris a slender lead. Colm Boyle was having an excellent game at corner back against Cian Darcy and a turnover by the young back led to JD showing excellent long range poise to make the score 20-19 in favour of Borris after 50 minutes. JD stepped up for a carbon copy style point soon after a Sean McCormack assist as Borris looked rejuvenated in the forward line. Jerry showed the aforementioned strength to gain possession which led to Conor’s second point of the game but Kilruane refused to go away and the game remained tight as the final moments arrived. Eddie showed incredible range to score his 10th free of the game but their opponents remained as resolute on placed balls. The play of the game then occurred when a repositioned Brendan Maher went on a solo run through the left hand side of the Kilruane defence before finding Kevin Maher who connected with a sweet volley that barely went over the bar, Borris now appearing to get on top with easier scoring opportunities and work rate in the half back line. Borris led 23-22 after 59 minutes and a nervous few minutes were in store but the Borris men stepped on the gas and outplayed their opponents with turnovers and work rate leading to a surge of points in injury time. It began with a JD point as a result of a turnover and cooler heads prevailing to open up the best scoring possibility, Jack Hogan then scored an excellent point from near the stand as the Borris crowd were willing the team on and it worked as Kilruane committed players up the pitch, an attempted delivery was blocked down by Dan McCormack which fell at the grateful feet of Eddie who deservedly finished the scoring for the day with his 5th from play, part of a 15 point total as Borris finished extremely well and won on a scoreline of 26 points to 23.
Borris had a long layoff from the league which allowed them time to prepare for this big game and their preparation was evident from the outset in this game. The forwards looked sharp and showed excellent intent towards goal whilst the full back line looked solid throughout. Kilruane had their spells that showed their quality but also some decision making and wides from the Borris men that can be worked on. The 4th quarter performance both from a scoring point of view but more evidently was the work rate that sustained throughout the game which led to more scoring opportunities for the dangerous forwards, no more dangerous than man of the match Eddie Ryan who scored 15 points (10fs, 5 from play) and mention also for Colm Boyle who had the unenviable task of marking Cian Darcy but stayed glued to his man and showed no fear in getting around the pitch and causing turnovers. Borris now play Kiladangan in the North Semi Final, stay tuned to the club’s social media pages for updated fixture details.
