Borris-Ileigh GAA Club Match Report
Borris-Ileigh vs Clonoulty Rossmore
30th July 2023
Borris-Ileigh starting lineup
Jody Harkin
Colm Boyle Liam Ryan Seamus Burke
Brendan Maher Dan McCormack Ray McCormack
Shane Kenny Tomas Ryan
Jerry Kelly Eddie Ryan (8pts (6fs) (1 65’) James “JD” Devaney (1-0)
Kevin Maher (0-2) Conor Kenny (0-2) Jack Hogan
Paddy McCormack for Shane Kenny
Dan Ryan (0-1) for Ray McCormack
Paddy Stapleton for Paddy McCormack
Borris-Ileigh’s senior squad travelled to Semple Stadium for an opening game of the FBD County Championship with Clonoulty Rossmore as their opponents on Sunday, the 30th of July. Borris were coming into the game on the back of progress to the North semi finals whilst Clonoulty ran through the West championship, a close affair was expected. Borris began the game at a far quicker pace than their counterparts and looked to have intent going forward with ball in hand. Midfielder Tom Foot did well to attain the team’s first free, duly slotted by Eddie Ryan for the team’s first score. Clonoulty hit the post with an attempted shot but Borris were quickest to react to a potential goal opportunity and soon after, they had their second point courtesy of Eddie’s long range free. Borris continued their sharp play in possession but went through a phase of missed opportunities with multiple wides which was further punished when Clonoulty returned fire with two frees of their own to even up the scoreline at 2-2. Kevin Maher then gained possession and showed a classy finish near the old stand side for Borris’ first open play score but the sides remained level after 11 minutes. Borris were grateful to goalkeeper Jody Harkin soon after who saved well from a close range shot but Clonoulty were now on top with regards snuffing out Borris attacks and looking threatening in possession. Clonoulty were in control for a period of over 10 minutes before Eddie Ryan went for a solo run that resulted in his third free of the half, the number 11 soon followed this up with a 65’ as Borris looked to grapple the momentum and looked like a fresh goal threat similar to the first few minutes of the game. Clonoulty were leading 7-5 after 22 minutes with Borris falling into a repetitive cycle of fouling their counterparts with Cathal Bourke looking undaunted on placed ball, the game went into a lull from an attacking point of view for the next few minutes as it was clear that the sides were very even and grappling for control of the game, this not helped by two changes on the Borris team with Ray McCormack leaving the field deputised by Dan Ryan and Shane Kenny replaced by Paddy McCormack. Clonoulty were the better team as the half drew to a close but two missed frees by the aforementioned Bourke coupled with Eddie’s 4th free seemed to reenergise Borris as the play of the half was soon to transpire with Dan McCormack bursting away from the tackle to assist JD who went on a solo run through the heart of the defence and showed a cool head with a lovely finish to give Borris a lead after a long drought, the goal was a jolt to Borris who finished the half the stronger from a work ethic element before the half time whistle blew with Borris leading 1-6 to 0-7.
Borris came out for the second half looking to continue the form of the end moments of half 1 and were rewarded when Dan Ryan showed excellent efficiency on his left side to get the first score of the second half. Borris’ fouling continued to persist however with Clonoulty increasing their presence on the scoreboard through the attained frees. Clonoulty scored 4 points in a row before Conor Kenny restored Borris’ presence on the scoreboard with a much needed score from open play, the result a 1-8 to 11 point draw after 38 minutes. Borris were clearly looking for goals and showed ambition with multiple runs through the Clonoulty backline but were denied by last second combo of defending and goalkeeping by the west champs. The scoring drought of the first half on both sides returned in the 3rd quarter with neither team able to gain a significant lead, Eddie stepping up courtesy of a Dan McCormack assist to keep the scoreboard ticking over, Borris were dealt another blow when Paddy McCormack had to go off injured with Paddy Stapleton taking his place. Kevin Maher did well to force a Clonoulty free that Eddie slotted for free 5 before Jerry Kelly showed quick vision to find Conor who copied his earlier effort with a tough score but Borris were struggling to win clean possession in the half forward line as the final ten minutes arrived, the score 1-11 to 14 points after 51 minutes. It would be fair to say that Clonoulty were the stronger side in the final few minutes and were able keep a lead until Kevin scored another point courtesy of a Jack Hogan assist, Borris one down with injury time arriving. Borris’ work rate in the final few minutes as they chased the equaliser was intense and it was rewarded with a turnover and Eddie showed a cool head to score his 6th free, the equaliser and a draw game as the referee blew the full time whistle with spoils shared on a score of Borris-Ileigh 1-13 to Clonoulty’s 16 points.
As mentioned before, Borris started the game sharply with ball in hand and an intent to score goals, that intent sustained throughout the game with some chances forced and some chances well defended by Clonoulty. Borris’ full back line is to be commended for the performances as a unit against quality opponents. Borris were rocked by multiple injuries through the game and best wishes to all in recovery, the work rate throughout the game was exceptional and appears to escalated during the right time with it a key positive since the beginning of the North championship. Borris now play Kiladangan in two week’s time, stay tuned to the club’s social media pages for fixture details.
