Borris-Ileigh GAA Club Match Report
Borris-Ileigh vs Kilruane MacDoanghs (North Senior Championship- Semi Final)
15th August 2021
By Denis Ryan
McDonagh Park in Nenagh was the setting for the North Semi final contest between Borris-Ileigh and Kilruane McDonaghs on Sunday the 15th of August 2021. Having met in the county semi final two years ago and also during the opening stages of the 21 league which ended in a draw, a tough game was expected. Borris entered the game making three changes with Brendan Maher replacing Kieran Maher, Dan McCormack replacing Ray McCormack and Kevin Maher replacing JD Devaney. Borris had a fantastic start beginning with Eddie Ryan winning the team’s first free whilst getting a rough tackle, Kevin Maher deputising on free taking duty to open the team’s account before Borris put together a fine period of play started by Jerry Kelly utilising excellent play making to set up Eddie Ryan selflessly to round a defender and finish well to the net. Jerry then capitalised on a breaking ball to run at the Kilruane full back line before setting up Jody Harkin for his first of the game, a 1-2 run without reply for Borris. Borris were doing extremely well against the very physical tackle either breaking through or gaining a free, Niall Kenny doing really well to get away from his marker along the sideline before finishing for another Borris point, a staple of the game for the number 14 as he continued to put in the hard yards despite pulling and dragging from the opposition. Eddie, after a knock from the first free stepped up to slot frees 1 and 2 from well earned play from Jerry and Eddie himself to give the team a good look on the scoreline within the first 12 minutes. Kilruane however were getting easy ball in the middle third and scored their first goal with a low entry pass into the full forward line which they reacted quickest to finish a ground shot to make the score 1-5 to 1-4. The teams traded points with Borris scoring through a really good Conor Kenny catch leading to a very dirty helmet level tackle on the number 10 before Eddie finished the corresponding free, Borris leading 1-6 to 1-5 at the first water break. As mentioned before, Borris put together a fantastic period of attacking play early in the game, a recurring element of their game but Kilruane were getting more clean ball in their half back line with Niall O’Meara in particular getting into pockets of space to either shoot or set up a dangerous attack into the Borris full back line. Borris showed really good physicality to make gains from very physical Kilruane tackling either a free or pass but fairly even going into the 2nd quarter.
Kilruane came out for the 2nd quarter far the sharper team dominating possession leading to generation of shot opportunities but early misses. They did however start hitting the target with Cian D’Arcy looking ever threatening in a fantastic battle with Seamie Burke, Kilruane isolating the Tipp man and looking for him most opportunities. They put together a string of 3 unanswered points to lead 1-8 to 1-6, Borris failing to replicate the danger up front in the period with Niall Kenny continuing to win hard ball and putting Kilruane on the back foot leading to two more Eddie frees but the same free space just wasn’t there as the previous game. Kilruane continued to put together multi man plays and making scoring look easier with only another free from Eddie increasing Borris’ score as the half time whistle blew with Kilruane leading Borris on a score line of 1-13 to 1-9. Borris were only able to put together 3 points in the 2nd quarter thanks to physical defending by Kilruane coupled with precision and confidence in the middle third with a clear gameplan to involve D’Arcy. Borris weren’t able to replicate their renowned high intensity either in the ruck or on the ball which cut down on the chances then to initiate short passing or hit it long to threats up front.
Kieran Maher replaced Aaron Rabbitte in the middle of the park to begin the second half, Dan McCormack pushing up the pitch to negate the impact of the Kilruane half back line from the first half. The third quarter was the highlight of the game from an intensity point of view with both teams hustling and fighting for the upper hand, unfortunately for Borris the scoring drought from the 2nd quarter remaining but far higher physicality and cutting of space in defence. Conor Kenny scored his first point of the game with good link up alongside Niall who continued to look dangerous. Eddie finished his 7th free soon after but Kilruane were able to score the intermittent point to keep Borris at a distance before moving Brendan up the field to inject extra threat. Borris then began tactic of long ball in search of game changing goals but Kilruane to their credit remained resolute and had enough bodies in place to shut down the Borris threat. Tomas Ryan made his return from injury in midfield replacing Jody Harkin. Brendan hit a fantastic free from the left side of midfield to jolt some energy into the comeback but Borris remained behind at the second water break on a score line of 1-15 to 1-12. As mentioned, a very physical third quarter but not a lot of scoring. Shane Kenny replaced Eddie Ryan in the 4th quarter but Borris still struggled to create clear cut chances, the sole game plan now being long ball into the danger zone. Kevin Maher took over free taking duties and finished his 2nd of the evening but Kilruane were able to manufacture scoring opportunities far easier in space no more emphasised by D’Arcy getting in to score their second goal to kill the game as a contest. Brendan pounced from a breaking ball to score another point but the game finished with Kilruane McDonaghs worthy winners on a scoreline of 2-18 to 1-14.
Borris were excellent in the first quarter putting together a 1-2 patch led by excellent team play and selfless play, Kilruane reacted well to negate this post water break. Niall Kenny deserves mention for a fantastic performance winning ball after ball, running in a direct manner despite constant fouling and continuing to look a high ball threat throughout the contest. Borris will be disappointed with the space afforded to Kilruane’s half back line especially from water break to water break where the opposition used the space to shoot or set up threatening attacks. Borris will however be grateful for the bonus opportunities that an unplanned North championship has allowed which are the arrivals of young players Eddie Ryan, Aaron Rabbitte and Colm Boyle, the return of Kieran Maher and the re integration after county duty of Brendan Maher, Dan McCormack, Kevin Maher and JD Devaney. Borris will also benefit from getting a proper sense of Kilruane’s physicality ahead of a rematch as both clubs are in the same group for the county championship which promises to be a fantastic matchup. Borris now have a few weeks to get key players back from injury, prepare for what promises to be a very tough group in the county championship and best wishes to players and management in the weeks ahead.
Team and Scorers:
James McCormack
Seamus Burke, Liam Ryan (C), Sean McCormack
Colm Boyle, Brendan Maher (0-02(0-01f)), Ciaran Cowan
Aaron Rabbitte, Dan McCormack
Conor Kenny (0-01), Jerry Kelly, Jody Harkin (0-01)
Eddie Ryan (1-07 (07fs)), Niall Kenny (0-01), Kevin Maher (0-02)
Subs:
Kieran Maher for Aaron Rabbitte
Shane Kenny for Eddie Ryan
Tommy Ryan Foot for Jody Harkin