Borris-Ileigh GAA Club Match Report
Borris-Ileigh 0-22 Kilruane MacDonaghs 4-10
14th June 2021
By Denis Ryan
Borris-Ileigh started their 2021 participation in the Senior County League with an opening day fixture against Kilruane MacDonaghs in the Park, Borrisoleigh. Played in perfect summer conditions, both teams started with excellent intensity. MacDonagh’s had a fair share of the ball in the early moments and used it to manufacture a goal after a goal line contest at the 6 minute mark. Borris were more efficient with their use of possession and recovered really well with excellent first quarter performances from Tom Foot in midfield who got on a lot of ball and Eddie Ryan who scored Borris’ first point from play off his left-hand side. Their performances were rewarded with a following point each, one from play (Foot) and one from a free by Eddie Ryan who was on free taking duty. Eddie Ryan finished with 3 converted frees by the first water break. Just before the water break, Borris engaged in very good cross field play including good link up play which led to a good chance for Conor Kenny who slotted it over the bar. Borris led by 6 points to 1-1 at the water break. Borris went up a level after the water break led by Niall Kenny who contributed two points and a well won free to help Borris extend their lead before Ciaran Cowan’s two points and a Jody Harkin point helped Borris further their lead to 6 points at the break with a 12 points to 1-3 score-line.
The second half began just like the first with Eddie Ryan running through the Kilruane defence to extend his scores from play to 3 points before Kilruane added a second goal to their tally. Shane Kenny added another point for Borris before Kilruane sent a third goal into the Borris net to bring the deficit down to 1 on the 46th minute. David O’Connor replaced Matthew Stapleton during this period and contributed a solid point to make the lead 2 points at 17 points to 3-6 as the water break arrived. Borris came out from the second water break just like the first one and took the ascendency once again going 4 points without reply to start the last quarter with Eddie Ryan proving very reliable on free taking duty with 2 frees and another point from play. Bill O’Connell replaced Jody Harkin and Shane McCormack came on for Tomas Ryan late on. Conor Kenny caught great ball and was in on goal and had a few options but unfortunately Kilruane defenders rallied back well but scores were taken by both Conor and DOC to make it a 4 point lead for Borris heading towards the end of the 60. Kilruane took advantage of a dropping ball with Cian D’arcy stepping up and slotting a well taken goal to make it a 1 point game with mere minutes remaining. Both team fought very hard with particular effort in the rucking as the game drew to a close but Kilruane were just able to get enough space to make it a draw game as the final whistle blew.
Both teams deserve huge credit for the work rate, team play and overall effort shown in the Park tonight. Borris will be disappointed to concede 4 goals but they played very well as a unit and kept Tipperary star Cian D’arcy quiet for large quantities of the match. Borris looked like a threat up front without perhaps the final decision going their way and Eddie Ryan in particular deserves huge praise for his league debut at senior level finishing with 10 points (6 frees, 4 from play). Borris-Ileigh have 2 remaining fixtures in the group, Toomevara in Toomevara and Loughmore Casteleiney at a yet to be determined location.
Team and Scorers:
James McCormack
Seamus Burke, Liam Ryan, Thomas Fahy
Ciaran Cowan (0-02) Ray McCormack Aaron Rabbitte
Tomas Ryan (0-01) Jack Hogan (0-01)
Conor Kenny (0-02) Niall Kenny (0-02) Shane Kenny (0-01)
Jody Harkin (0-01) Matthew Stapleton Eddie Ryan (0-10(0-06f))
Subs:
David O’Connor (0-02) for Matthew Stapleton (44 mins)
Bill 0’Connell for Jody Harkin (49 mins)
Shane McCormack for Tomas Ryan (53 mins)