Lower Main Street Borrisoleigh, Tipperary
Lower Main Street Borrisoleigh , Tipperary, Ireland.
August 12 2022
Borris-Ileigh GAA Club Match Report
Borris-Ileigh vs Toomevara (Junior A North Championship- Final)
12th August 2022
Borris-Ileigh starting lineup
Cathal Bourke
Johnny McGrath Matthew Stapleton Cathal Hogan
Colm Boyle Jody Harkin (1-5 (1-3f) (1 65)) Mikey Kennedy
Bill O’Connell Shane McCormack (1pt)
David O’Connor (1 goal) Shane Kenny Jack Hogan
Miksie Carey Danny Ryan (1pt) Jack Fitzgerald (3pts (3fs))
Damien Dunne for Shane McCormack
Fintan Holland for David O’Connor
Borris-Ileigh’s Junior A squad travelled to Dolla for a second consecutive year to contest another North Junior A Final, this time against rivals Toomevara. With both teams fancied from the start of the tournament and having already contested a league final, a close encounter was anticipated. Borris entered the game with an unchanged lineup and were looking to continue their fine form that has led to a league title and an unbeaten group run. The early moments were identical for both teams with clean possession in the middle third but little attacking threat. Toome then opened the scoring before Borris responded in kind immediately with team captain, Shane McCormack scoring from long range to level matters. The teams then had contrasting results in attack with Toome starting to threaten with good movement up front and dangerous ball coming in whilst Borris delivery was returning quickly with forwards not quite up to their markers as Toome led 3-2 after 9 minutes, Borris’ second point coming courtesy of a 65’ by Jody Harkin which was the result of a close goal chance for Jack Hogan who showed excellent footwork and pace on route to goal but was deflected away from goal with Borris taking the consolation of the white flag as opposed the green. Borris then began to increase their work rate and intensity in the middle third which led to some turnovers with good result coming from Bill O’Connell who garnered a free which was slotted by Jody who looked poised over placed ball. Borris will have been content to be level after 12 minutes with Toome having looked sharper on ball but Borris starting to get inroads with intensity. Toome then dealt a hammer blow when a long ball was caught by their full forward who did well with a cool finish to the net for the first goal of the game and a setback to Borris’ efforts. Borris did well to respond when Jack Fitz finished his first free attempt before the water break arrived with Toome leading 1-3 to 4 points. Toome came out for the second quarter far the sharper outfit and dominated possession whilst also snuffing out any threat in Borris’ forward line with the end result being Toome increasing their control of the scoreboard whilst Borris went over 10 minutes without a score. The league champions did then generate two half chances near the Toome goal but resolute defending eliminated chances to eat into the deficit. Toome ended the half with a surge of 3 points whilst Borris were looking for answers up front with Jody securing his 3rd placed ball success of the half but Borris going into the half time break with a mountain to climb on a scoreline of 1-8 to 4 points
The second half began just as the first half finished with Toome the sharper in the tackle and on ball. Borris made a few positional changes up front to try insert spark into the comeback but the Toome forwards were continuing to have the scoreboard ticking over with effortless looking shooting to keep Borris well at bay. Borris have shown during the championship a very good link play up front and showed a glimpse when Jack Hogan found Danny Ryan for a well taken score but Borris still trailing 1-12 to 6 points 5 minutes into the half. The two teams then began to trade possession and the odd score with Jack Fitz scoring his second free but little threat coming from play to trouble Toome who were dominating all areas of the pitch. Borris then had a second wind when Concie gathered possession and found David O’Connor with a fantastic pass cross field with the no.10 finishing to the net for a momentum boost. The goal really brought about a higher intensity in the Borris fightback with Toome starting to make errors with Jody capitalising with free 4 and a scoreline of 1-14 to 1-9 in favour of Toome after 46 minutes. The comeback however was dealt a major blow when a mistake in the borris full back line allowed Toome to score their second goal of the game and introduce a cushion with which they could lean on as the 3rd quarter came near it’s end. Borris to their credit continued their high work rate but a well worked Toome passing game led to a fantastic point as the water break arrived and Toome leading 2-15 to 1-9. Jody stepped up straight away in the last quarter with an individual score but multiple possessions in the middle third led to turnovers as movement up front was stagnant and as the minutes dropped away, Toome were able to shut off multiple avenues. Damien Dunne and Fintan Holland replaced Shane McCormack and David O’Connor in the period respectively but Borris were unable to generate any chances from play having to rely on a half chance from a free that was snuffed on the line before a trading of goals late on with Toome scoring their third and Jody scoring a goal from a free but the game had petered out with Toome running out well deserved winners on a scoreline of 3-19 to Borris’ 2-10
Borris deserve huge credit for the Junior A campaign that they have put together in 2022. The team has contested both the league and championship finals with a piece of silverware in the form of the league a just reward for a squad that have impressed in the last two years. Borris have prided themselves this year on work rate throughout the pitch and versatile play up front with ball winners and pace but unfortunately were unable to generate scoring chances frequently enough as Toome had multiple purple patches and were impressive throughout. Borris had a few minor chances near Toome goal during the game but just struggled to open up scores from play and were dependent on the reliable sharp shooting of Jody Harkin to show presence on the scoreboard. The team now moves on to the County stages of the Junior A championship in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to the club’s social media pages for details as they emerge.
