Borris-Ileigh GAA Club

Borris-Ileigh GAA Club Match Report

Borris-Ileigh vs Templederry Kenyons (North Senior Championship- Quarter Final)

10^th  August 2021

By Denis Ryan

Borris-Ileigh travelled to Dolla for a North Quarter final against near neighbours Templederry Kenyons on the 10^th of August 2021. Borris made 3 changes from the previous game with Sean McCormack replacing Kevin Maher, Aaron Rabbitte replacing Paddy Stapleton and Jody Harkin in for Shane Kenny. Borris started the game well with sharp passing in the middle third of the pitch which led to the first score of the game thanks to Jerry Kelly, the first of what would 4 points in the first quarter for the center forward. Eddie Ryan then showed good footwork to earn a free within shooting range to open his free taking account for the game before doubling his efforts from placed balls minutes later thanks to good control in the Borris half back line. Borris looked threatening in the final third and added to the scoreboard with a good Niall Kenny score after quick reactions to a Ray McCormack entry free whilst Jerry Kelly showed his dangerous side line skills with two excellent scores in quick succession. Borris did however concede a goal when they failed to deal with a long puck into the danger area but were playing more of the hurling in the first quarter, they reacted well to the setback and played through the phases to manufacture an obvious penalty when Eddie Ryan raced through the centre to set up Niall Kenny who got bundled to the floor. Jerry stood up for the penalty, hit a low shot to the keepers right and it was a good save. Eddie slotted over the proceeding 65 which was followed by a good self created score from Conor Kenny, a good Eddie Ryan score away from multiple tackles and a Jerry point to really dilute the impact of the Kenyons goal. These scores contributed to Borris having a 4 point advantage as the water break arrived with a scoreline of 10 points to 1-3. Borris played the large majority of the hurling in the quarter and were able to put together frequent multi man passes which led to threatening situations for the forwards, this was supported by excellent placed ball scores both from Eddie Ryan and Jerry Kelly. Borris began the 2^nd quarter with a good Conor score followed by an Eddie Ryan free won by the ever running Aaron Rabbitte. Niall battled well in a less than 50/50 ball to allow Jody use very good vision to set up Conor for the next score and Borris were producing excellent scoring opportunities during the period.  Conor contributed point 4 of the game before Borris scored their first goal of the game thanks to a penetrating run from JD which set up Eddie Ryan who had his first shot saved but showed quick reactions to finish to the back of the net. Both young players teamed up again to make the most of a well sought out Kieran Maher long pass to open JD’s account for the evening. JD added point 2 and 3 in very quick time with good shooting and link up with Ray and Jerry, Eddie finished free 4 of the half and all of this led to a half time score line of Borris-Ileigh 1-19 to Templederry Kenyons 1-5. Borris played a really sharp first half with quick short passing allowing space to find open men who showed deadly shooting ability, 1-19 in a half is a cracking score. Apart from the easy goal conceded, the Borris back line were resolute in shutting down the Templederry threat with good positioning and good ruck game.

                Brendan Maher and Shane Kenny replaced Kieran Maher and Ray McCormack respectively as the second half began. Niall continued his hard shift by earning another free for Eddie Ryan, number 5 of the contest. JD then re entered the scene by adding point 4 and 5 with good half forward line link up play and a fantastic left sided shot by the number 15. Paddy Stapleton replaced Conor Kenny half way through the quarter, Eddie adding free 6 to really push out the lead and Jerry Kelly putting the finishing touches to really good middle third passing to add to his scoring for the game. JD and Eddie really led the forward line for the remainder of the quarter with JD making a great catch and finishing well before Eddie scored a tough left sided effort from the sideline. Borris were in complete control as the water break arrived with the score line reading Borris 1:26 to Kenyons 1:8. Borris continued to make scoring look easy in the 4^th quarter with Jerry scoring from a good distance out before Paddy Stapleton reacted best to a dropping ball near the penalty area to double Borris’ goals for the game, JD adding point 7 with good positioning, Eddie finishing a very tough over the shoulder score whilst also finishing free 7 as highlights in a quarter that had lulled due to the nature of the deficit. Thomas Fahy replaced Sean McCormack before JD finished his scoring for the game with his 8^th point, all from play. Eddie and Colm Boyle added further points for Borris adding to an impressive 2-34 as the final whilst blew and the final scoreline of Borris-Ileigh 2-34 to Templederry Kenyons 2-9.

                The scoreline tells a lot about this game, Borris putting together that score shows a really dangerous threat in the final third with versatility for the high ball, breaking ball aswell as either a penetrating or a long range shooting game. James Devaney deserves mention for an incredible 8 points from play from all areas of the forward line and a cool composure with his shooting. Eddie Ryan also provided a potent threat both from play and from the placed ball, he also provided the assist for the penalty won by Niall Kenny. Borris will be happy to be able provide more game time for Kieran Maher and Brendan Maher ahead of what is poised to be a very difficult last 4 stage of the North Championship. At the time of writing, the draw has not been made for the semi-finals but best of luck to players and management.

Team and Scorers:

James McCormack

Seamus Burke, Liam Ryan (C), Kieran Maher

Colm Boyle (1 point), Ciaran Cowan, Sean McCormack

Aaron Rabbitte, Ray McCormack

Conor Kenny (0-04), Jerry Kelly (0-06(0-02 Sidelines)), Jody Harkin        

Eddie Ryan (1-14(0-09fs (0-01 '65)), Niall Kenny (0-01), James “JD” Devaney (0-08)      

Subs:

H/T: Brendan Maher for Kieran Maher

H/T: Shane Kenny for Ray McCormack

43 mins: Paddy Stapleton (1-00) for Conor Kenny

57 mins: Thomas Fahy for Sean McCormack (Blood Sub)