Lower Main Street Borrisoleigh, Tipperary
Lower Main Street Borrisoleigh , Tipperary, Ireland.
August 30 2023
Borris-Ileigh GAA Match Report
Under 19 North A Semi Final Vs Ballina
August 30th 2023
Borris-Ileigh Starting Lineup
Archie Devaney
Conor Murray Harry Gould Eamon Groome
Cian Murphy Tom Delaney Lar Stapleton
Mikey Kennedy Evan Ryan
Eoin Boyle Sam Patton (0-1) Paddy McCormack (0-4 (3fs))
Darragh Chute (1-1) Patrick Brett Patrick Ryan (2-7 (4fs))
Borris-Ileigh travelled to Ballina for a North U19 Semi Final against hosts Ballina on Wednesday 30th of August. Borris were looking for repeat away success after a hard fought victory over Roscrea two weeks prior and were boosted by the returns of Cian Murphy and Darragh Chute. It was Patrick Ryan who opened Borris’ scoring for the proceedings as he hit the leveller early on but Ballina looked sharp from the get go and looked more comfortable in possession as they opened up leads of 3-1 and 5-2 in the 1st quarter but Borris refused to let a significant deficit ensue and Darragh Chute did well to generate a free that was duly finished by Paddy McCormack for his first placed ball success. As mentioned before, Ballina led 5-2 after 10 minutes but Borris levelled up when Paddy Mc found danger man Patrick Ryan who finished well to the net, Ballina however did not wilt and returned fire with three straight points to dampen the impact of the goal. Ballina were looking a constant threat in their inside forward line with no.14 Jack Collins very dangerous, Borris’ work rate increasing though to allow free number 2 for Paddy Mc before a Tom Delaney free was drifiting wide but a fantastic effort from Patrick Brett on the end line kept the ball alive before Darragh Chute reacted quickest to fire to the net and another jolt to the Borris efforts. Paddy Mc followed up the goal with a point courtesy of quick reactions as Ballina held the slenderest of leads at the 24 minute mark at 0-11 to 2-4. The home team to their credit repeated the response to the first goal with a batch of points to maintain control of the game before Mikey Kennedy went on a run and showed good vision to find Darragh Chute for a well worked point before Pa Ryan opened his free taking account with his first as Borris appeared to be stalling the host’s forward momentum. The half time whistle was then blown with Ballina leading 0-13 to 2-6 at the break, Borris happy with the minimal deficit. Borris came out quicker in the second half with Sam Patton levelling proceedings with a fine point, Patrick Ryan then adding a brace of points (1f, 1 from play) but Ballina refused to fall behind and opened up a 3 point advantage again in a short period of time with Borris struggling to attain possession and Ballina constantly threatening their markers up front. Borris were unable to reduce the deficit and instead Ballina opened up a 5 point advantage and appeared to be in full control but Borris were granted a lifeline when Patrick Ryan showed tennis like finishing ability with a smash shot to the net but Borris still had a mountain to climb. Ballina led 0-22 to 3-9 after 44 minutes and just appeared sharper with sliotar in hand and unlocking their dangerous forwards on a constant basis whilst Borris were working off scraps. Ballina were dealt a blow when they received a red card with 15 minutes to go but as with the previous setbacks of goals, they stood up to the challenge and shut down a Borris revival with Borris kept at arm’s length of 3 points the minimum despite points from Pa Ryan and a free from Paddy Mc. Ballina led 0-23 to 3-11 after 53 minutes, Borris needing a dominant last few minutes and it appeared to start with Pa Ryan scoring free’s 3 and 4 to maintain the goal disadvantage but unfortunately, as proven multiple times in the game, Ballina stepped up a gear and finished the final moments the stronger team ballooning the lead to 6 at one point before the full time whistle blew with Ballina running out deserved victors on a scoreline of 0-27 to 3-13.
Borris deserve huge credit for never letting their heads drop during this game against a classy Ballina side who kept a scoreboard advantage throughout the game. Borris scored 3 very good goals but were unable withstand a Ballina response each time and that appeared the difference in the end, Ballina’s forward line looked very dangerous throughout the game. Three forwards in particular deserve mention, Patrick Ryan deserves credit for his standout performance in the forward line alongside Paddy Mc who worked tirelessly against a double marking assignment, Darragh Chute continues to show his goal threat aswell as a classy scoring potential. Borris will learn a lot from their experiences in the A grade this year and there is huge potential in the squad going forward.
