Borris-Ileigh stage recovery to claim North Under 19 ‘B’ title

GAA: Ger Gavin North Tipperary Under 19 ‘B’ Hurling Championship Final

Borris-Ileigh 3-15

Moneygall/Clonakenny 2-11

Report: Liam Hogan in Dolla

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Eddie Ryan (Borris-Ileigh)

SCORERS – Borris-Ileigh: Eddie Ryan 1-9 (0-7 frees, 0-1 65); Paddy McCormack 2-3; Colm Boyle, Mikey Kennedy, Eoin Doyle 0-1 each.

Moneygall/Clonakenny: James Carroll 0-7 (4 frees, 1 65); Tadhg Whyte 1-2; Sean Kenneally 1-1; Cian Ryan 0-1.

Borris-Ileigh overturned a ten-point half-time deficit to win their first North Tipperary Under 19 ‘B’ Hurling title last Wednesday.

The maroons looked to be in trouble when they trailed 2-8 to 0-4 at half time. They were outsmarted and out-manoeuvred but they wasted no time in taking over and within seven minutes of the restart they were level after scoring 1-4 without reply.

Moneygall/Clonakenny hit back with three quick points but Borris, led by Mikey Kennedy, Eamon Groome, Tom Delaney, Eoin Boyle, Eddie Ryan, and Paddy McCormack, soon found their rhythm with Tipp minor star McCormack setting the standard with 2-3 in a man of the match performance.

Moneygall/Clonakenny had their heroes also with Cian Ryan, James Carroll, and Tadgh Whyte. Sean Kenneally played his part also but was less than fit with a lingering ankle injury.

The combo took an early four-point lead with Tadgh Whyte, Sean Kenneally and two placed balls from James Carroll. It was the 14th minute before Eddie Ryan had Borris-Ileigh on the scoreboard after the centre forward pointed a free.

Seventeen-year-old Cian Ryan increased the combo’s lead with a splendid point but that was cancelled out by a successful 65 by Eddie Ryan before James Carroll moved Moneygall four in front with a free from eighty-five metres. The four-point lead was as much as Moneygall/Clonakenny deserved.

Their defence was playing well with Cathal Ryan holding sway at full back while Mark Fogarty cut off any danger in his sweeper role. As well as been an accurate free-taker, James Carroll was not shy in taking on the Borris defence and in the 22nd minute his delivery found Tadgh Whyte which saw the former race for goal before winning a free. With advantage allowed he continued to take possession and sent a low ball to the net past a stationary Borris defence.

Tadgh Whyte added a point and after Eddie Ryan posted his third placed ball, Moneygall hit back with Tadgh Whyte increasing his tally to 1-2. Elsewhere, James Carroll was prominent, and his side-line ball landed close to the Borris goal where Sean Kenneally won possession, drew a foul, but advantage was allowed before Kenneally, - without a hurl- managed to kick the ball to the Borris net to give his side a commanding 2-8 to 0-4 half time advantage.

Backed by the breeze, Borris-Ileigh took no time in taking on the task of eating into the deficit with Eddie Ryan pointing a long range free before he defied a crowded goalmouth with a goal in the 32nd minute. Seconds later, Paddy McCormack intercepted the Moneygall puckout before he found the back of the net. Three quick points followed through the sticks of McCormack, Colm Boyle, and McCormack and suddenly the sides were level.

Moneygall/Clonakenny rose from their brief slumber, and they replied with three points in as many minutes, all from James Carroll.

Eight minutes went by without scores before Eddie Ryan soloed in from the wing before finding Paddy McCormack who had the ball in the Moneygall/Clonakenny net for his second goal.

The concession of a 65 helped Eddie Ryan dissect the post with a point as the same player increased his tally with a magnificent eighty-five metre free close to the dugout. Borris-Ileigh were growing in confidence as evident by the well-taken scores by Eoin Boyle and Paddy McCormack.

Time was running out on Moneygall/Clonakenny and with Cian Ryan and James Carroll trying everything in the book to stem the Borris tide, but the maroons defence had their measure and when play swung to the other end it was the concession of frees that allowed Eddie Ryan to increase his tally to eight points from placed balls, to add to his 1-1 from play.

With six under sixteen players on the starting fifteen this was a good win for Borris-Ileigh. Not alone was a case of having a young team, they were short on numbers. They had just three substitutes and missed Sam Patton who was suspended following his semi-final red card against Burgess. Despite their deficiencies it was their hurling ability that pulled them through. Other clubs should take comfort from their win.

Moneygall/Clonakenny had no shortage of hurlers either, but this was one that got away. With a ten-point half time lead they had a chance of victory.

TEAMS - Borris-Ileigh: Archie Devaney; Conor Boyle, Colm Boyle, Aaron Ryan; Cian Murphy, Mikey Kennedy, Eamon Groome; Tom Delaney, Eoin Doyle; Razuk Atik, Eddie Ryan, Paddy Brett; Daniel Ryan, Harry Gould, Paddy McCormack.

Moneygall/Clonakenny: Jack Ryan (M); David Madden (C), Cathal Greene (M), David Toohey (M); Martin Whyte (M), Cian Ryan (M), Cameron Fleming (M); James Carroll (M), Andy Hoolan (M); Harry Fleming (C), Dylan McCormack (M), Oisin O’Dwyer (C); Tadgh Whyte (M), Sean Kenneally (M), Mark Fogarty (C).

Subs: Kevin McCormack (M) for M Whyte (46); Patrick Sheedy (M) for O’Dwyer (56).

Referee: Conor Doyle (Silvermines).