Borris-Ileigh GAA Match Report 2023
FBD County Senior Hurling League-Round 1 vs Clonoulty Rossmore
Borris-Ileigh Starting Lineup
Jody Harkin
Colm Boyle Liam Ryan Johnny McGrath
Seamus Burke Kevin Maher Brendan Maher (3pts (3fs))
James “JD” Devaney(1 goal) Sean McCormack (1pt)
Shane Kenny Jerry Kelly (6pts (4fs)) Tomas Ryan (2pts)
Jack Hogan (3pts) Conor Kenny(2pts) Mikey Kennedy
Borris-Ileigh returned to competitive senior action for the first time in 2023 with a home game against Clonoulty Rossmore. The game was originally slated as an away game for Borris but weather conditions forced a rearrangement and hosting duties for the 2021 League champions. This was a repeat of an opening day fixture from the year previous and Borris were looking to repeat fortunes with another win albeit with a different management team and introduction of some new players. This was a drastically different looking starting 15 for Borris from their last competitive outing in last year’s county campaign, a successful U19/U21 season coupled with county duties for some key players allowing some positional changes and experimentation. The game started evenly with both teams sharing the first 4 points, Borris’ courtesy of free taker Jerry Kelly and wing forward Tomas Ryan. Clonoulty then grasped the initiative with high level intensity in the ruck game and multiple players in tackles compared to Borris, all resulting in a scoring block for the visitors highlighted with a goal in the 12th minute and a 1-4 to 2 points advantage. Brendan Maher stopped the momentum with a long range free but Clonoulty continued to generate tackling and passing in numbers throughout the pitch. The tide turned in Borris’ favour throughout the 2nd quarter however with more slick attacking play and good intent from forwards which started with Brendan passing to Conor Kenny who found Jerry for the best score of the game to date, another targeted pass soon after setting up Jack Hogan for his first of the game. Jerry stepped up for his second free to make the score 1-5 to 6 in favour of Clonoulty but the home team on the ascendancy. Sean McCormack then stepped up with a quality score before a sharp looking Jerry found space inside to finish a well worked play, Conor following suit with a good point to bring the teams level as the final moments arrived of the half, Borris finishing the strongest with Tom Ryan scoring from the left wing to give Borris the slightest of leads as the whistle blew for half time on a scoreline of 10 points to 1-6
Bill O’Connell replaced Johnny McGrath at the half, Borris continued as they had left off with a good management of the game and snuffing out Clonoulty threat, Jack Hogan continuing his good first half with another point to start scoring for the quarter. Borris were continuing to deliver into the forward line and a correlation began with some Clonoulty fouling, Jerry scoring his 3rd free of the game as Borris kept the scoreboard ticking over. Brendan was on the long range frees and continued the placed ball accuracy with another soon after as Borris opened a 4 point lead 6 minutes into the second half. Jack Hogan then scored his third with a fantastic effort from out wide as Borris were looking threatening in both sectors of the forward line. Shane McCormack replaced Mikey Kennedy in the forward line before Jerry finished a free that was won through great effort by Jack Hogan, work rate of the forwards a theme throughout the game. Brendan scored another long range free before Clonoulty were granted a lifeline with a second scrappy goal and a three point deficit with 10 to go. Borris responded in the best way possible when a angled delivery found it’s way to JD who took on his man and finished to the back of the net, a nervy 10 minutes settled with said goal. Cathal Hogan and Dan Ryan replaced Brendan and Tomas Ryan respectively with minutes to go before a vital save by Jody Harkin in the goals alleviated Clonoultys threat late on. Jerry continued his fine free taking for the day with a final effort and Borris’ final score before the full time whistle arrived and Borris winning on a scoreline of 1-17 to 2-10.
Borris will be very happy to get a physical test like the one presented to them today, they withstood a first 20 minutes where Clonoulty were on top and managed to keep patience and chip away at the deficit with clear intent to find a man between the forwards, some excellent scoring from near the sidelines standouts. Young players like Colm Boyle and Johnny McGrath applied well to their positions whilst there was a lot of work rate from likes of Jack Hogan and Tomas Ryan in the forward line, stalwarts including Jerry, Conor and Brendan played well so all in all a positive day for the team. Borris now travel to Littleton on Wednesday, the 29th of March for a game against Moycarky Borris with throw in at 7:30pm.
