Borris-Ileigh GAA Club Match Report
Borris-Ileigh vs Moyle Rovers (Junior A County Championship- Quarter Final)
25-09-2022
Borris-Ileigh starting lineup
Cathal Bourke
Damien Dunne Matthew Stapleton Cathal Hogan
Bill O’Connell Jody Harkin Mikey Kennedy (2pts)
Colm Boyle (4pts) Shane McCormack (1-1)
David O’Connor (1pt) Danny Ryan Jack Fitzgerald (3pts (2fs))
Miksie Carey (1pt) Thomas Fahy(1pt) Harry Gould
Vinnie Stapleton for Harry Gould
Adam Galvin for David O’Connor
Borris-Ileigh’s Junior A squad resumed action on Sunday the 25th of September as they contested a County quarter final with Moyle Rovers, the south champions in Cashel. Borris reached this stage courtesy of a second consecutive North final appearance and were looking to build on a very consistent season which has brought with it a league title and the aforementioned back to back north final berths. Borris hadn’t played a competitive game in a number of weeks post north final and lost a few key players due to senior duties which alongside an injury to Johnny McGrath forced some changes to the team, Damien Dunne, Thomas Fahy and Harry Gould entering the starting 15 with Jack Hogan, Shane Kenny and Johnny McGrath unavailable. Both teams started well with Borris better in possession whilst Rovers looked a physical unit, the Borris tactic early on was to find wing forward Jack Fitz in space which led to the team’s first point with a left sideline finish. David O’Connor then stepped up with his signature shooting after a Colm Boyle assist as both teams shared the scores after 5 minutes. Borris then added to the scoreboard courtesy of danger man Thomas Fahy who showed excellent footwork to score his first after Jack Fitz showed an excellent turn of foot and pace to get away from his marker. Mikey Kennedy was influential early on with multiple possessions and a clear intent to be pinpoint with his passing which led to some opportunities that went amiss. Moyle Rovers then came to the pace of the game and looked the more threatening in possession with a mix of pace and athleticism up front whilst snuffing out Borris attacks, the north team relying on moments including a fantastic long range point from Colm Boyle who brought the teams level at 4 apiece after 15 minutes. Mikey Kennedy then gained just reward for an all round half with a point from long range yet again, the positive of the scores perhaps papering over a lack of ball into the full forward line for goal opportunities. As mentioned before, Rovers were looking a real threat up front but were kept working by Borris’ full back line in particular Matthew Stapleton and Cathal Hogan who made their markers work for any sort of space despite constant deliveries into their zones. Borris’ standout past the half back line had to be Colm Boyle who finished the team’s half of scoring with another rocket from midfield and a poise that is very positive going forward for the under 19 player. Moyle Rovers were leading 7 points to 6 after 28 minutes and the score remained the same as the half time whistle blew.
Borris started the second half by bringing the teams level again with a Miksie Carey point but Rovers responded with a quick two point period before Jack Fitz opened his free taking account with free number 1, a testament to the Rovers defences who gave nothing away. Colm Boyle then stepped up again with a point reminiscent of his earlier efforts but a purple patch was to arrive for the South outfit who put together another scoring surge, this time a 3 point surge which gave them a 4 point lead before team captain Shane McCormack stagnated the momentum with his first, Moyle Rovers leading 13 points to 10 after 41 minutes. Vinnie Stapleton replaced Harry Gould in the period but unfortunately coincided with a Rovers onslaught who started to make scoring look easy whilst shutting down any sort of delivery into the Borris forward line, the quarter leading to a lead of 20 points to 11 for Rovers, a huge mountain to climb for the lads going into the 4th. Adam Galvin replaced Doc at the beginning of the quarter but the team were unable to turn the tide as Rovers found space across their forward line and looked efficient with ball in hand, the Borris forward line struggling to generate possessions whilst also not shutting off passing lanes. 59 minutes had elapsed and the lead extended to 23 points against 11 before Jack Fitz scored his second free of the game, Mikey Kennedy scored his second from long range and Shane Mc scored a consolation goal with a cool finish to reduce the deficit but the final whistle soon emerged and Moyle Rovers deserving victors on a scoreline of 24 points for Moyle Rovers to Borris’ 1-13.
Borris played very well for the first half of this game with a resolute defence led by Matthew Stapleton and Cathal Hogan which only lost 7 points on the scoreboard, contributions from young players such as Mikey Kennedy and Colm Boyle who contributed 6 between them another huge positive going forward. The forward line had it’s moments with Jack Fitz and Thomas Fahy looking a threat early on but Moyle Rovers adapted and stifled any sort of advances on their goal. Despite a heavy loss, the Borris boys deserve huge credit for the season which led to a fantastic North campaign in both league and championship including the return of silverware in the form of a league title. The team played an attractive game which included long range shooting, excellent aerial ability and a doggedness in defence which were the corner stones of the success this year. The campaigns will of brought forward the young players tremendously in terms of experience and the physical side of the game and also given just reward to some of the veteran players who stood out again at the level this year. Congrats to both players and management on a successful season and the look of a squad showing consistency at the Junior A level.
