Borris-Ileigh GAA Club Match Report
Borris-Ileigh vs Kiladangan (North Junior A League-Round 4)
29th April 2022
Borris-Ileigh starting lineup
Cathal Bourke
Cathal Hogan Thomas Fahy (1pt) Johnny McGrath
Mikey Kennedy Bill O’Connell Miksie Carey
Jody Harkin (4pts (3fs)) Shane McCormack (1pt)
David O’Connor (3pts (1f)) Danny Ryan (2pts) Jack Fitzgerald (4 pts (4fs))
Jack Hogan Shane Kenny (1 pt) Matthew Stapleton (1pt)
Adam Galvin for Johnny McGrath
Damien Dunne (1 pt) for Cathal Hogan
Fintan Holland (1 goal) for Jack Fitzgerald
Borris-Ileigh’s Junior A squad played host to Kiladangan in Round 4 of the North Junior A League on Friday, the 29th of April. Looking to build on an away victory in their last outing, Borris maintained the majority of their starting lineup with Thomas Fahy reverting to full back from the start, Jody Harkin returning in midfield and Shane Kenny taking up the full forward position. Borris started the game very sharply in possession showing a confidence with ball striking and passing well to a team mate, this led to the team’s first score when Matthew Stapleton linked up with David O’Connor for a well taken score. Borris continued their short game and showed a clear intent to pass through the lines early but this did lead to a turnover and Kiladangan’s first score. This did not deter Borris however, as the home team generated some scoring opportunities but were unfortunate with the end result. The intensity of the Borris forwards eventually brought about rewards when Doc set up Danny Ryan for a point after a turnover before Jody Harkin scored the team’s first free to give Borris a 2 point advantage at 3-1 after 10 minutes. Buoyed by intensity leading to scores, Borris’ work rate up front continued for the next few minutes but Kiladangan to their credit stayed calm and this resulted in a quick 3 points on the bounce for the away team and their first lead of the game before Borris responded with two quick Jack Fitz frees as both teams exchanged advantage on the scoreboard. Doc did very well near the sideline to generate a fantastic score to even up the teams as the 25 minute mark arrived but Kiladangan were starting to score well from out the pitch with Borris’ short game starting to wane slightly. The Borris intensity ramped up again though with Jack Hogan and Sodge doing well with individual battles to lead to a Shane Kenny point followed by a goal chance well saved by the GK but the consolation of another point for the Borris men. Kiladangan were generating more scoring opportunities as the final moments of the half arrived but Jack Fitz showed a cool head with two further frees, number 3 and 4 of the half for the wing forward before the half time whistle was blown with Kiladangan leading by a solitary point at 11-10.
Damien Dunne replaced Cathal Hogan at half time with a reshuffle of the backline in place, Borris started well when good work ethic by Shane Kenny led to Danny Ryan scoring his second of the contest. Kiladangan then put together a crucial phase of play which included a goal as part of a 1-2 phase without reply to take a dominance of the game on the scoreboard and a mountaint to climb for the home team. Fintan Holland replaced Jack Fitz in the period to add some high ball presence in the full forward line before Jody scored from the midfield area to stop the drought before Doc followed suit with his first free of the contest, part of a heightened intensity by the Borris team knowing inroads were needed quick to overturn a deficit. Jody, on long range frees scored a tough placed ball which was followed by wing back Damien Dunne doing very well on a solo run and fantastic finish to reduce the deficit to the solitary goal with 15 minutes to go. Kiladangan responded well to the surge however and increased their lead which was bit part their attacking threats and bit part missed frees by Borris albeit in difficult long range areas. Borris then began their own phase of scoring without reply when Shane McCormack and Toco added points before Fintan Holland stepped up with good footwork and a side step to his left and a well placed finish for a green flag and further momentum for Borris leading into the last few moments. Bryan Murray replaced Doc with injury time fast approaching and Borris in the ascendancy, down two. Jody scored a 65’ to leave Kiladangan with the slimest of leads but good time management from the away team kept Borris at bay as the final whistle arrived and a full time score of Kiladangan 1-19 to Borris-Ileigh’s 1-18.
As mentioned before, Borris showed a real sharpness in their passing and a clear intent to find team mates with the ball as opposed to aimless deliveries throughout the pitch. The team did well in different phases from a work ethic point of view and have shown very good versatility with positioning of players throughout the league. Borris have one fixture remaining, an away game with Nenagh on Friday the 6th of May.
