Sluggish Moneygall still too good for Borrisokane

GAA: FBD Insurance County Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter Final

Moneygall 3-15

Borrisokane 2-10

Report: Liam Hogan in Nenagh

A positive last ten minutes were enough to help Moneygall over the line and claim a place in the last four of the County Intermediate Hurling Championship in defeating Borrisokane on Saturday afternoon.

Having struggled to shake off a determined Borrisokane side, the North champions scored 2-3 in the last ten minutes to seal the deal with a Borrisokane scoring a consolation goal in injury time to put a better shine on the final scoreboard.

It wasn’t a great Moneygall performance, but it was enough to see them repeat their North final win over the same opposition in July. The winning margin was thirteen points that wet day but as so often happens the margin can be a lot less second time round.

And so, it was with Borrisokane very much on their game and they showed what they could do when taking a 1-4 to 0-5 lead inside the opening quarter. They had Philip Austin to thank as he was a constant threat when first setting up Ciaran Foley for a goal only to be later denied by Ciaran Quinlan from close range.

Then in the 23rd minute, Austin went off injured and Moneygall began to produce what we come to know about them and struck 1-2 before half time to help them take a 1-8 to 1-5 lead.

Moneygall maintained their lead through the third quarter, but it was their second goal in the 51st minute by Joe Fogarty before they could relax. Moneygall were the better team, but this was not one of their best performances. Their shooting let them down with the wides tally reaching twelve in total, eight in the second half, including a number of frees as the normally accurate Joe Fogarty would get on his best day. Yet he finished with 1-7, 0-6 from placed balls.

Sean Kenneally was another key player not having things his own way as he was closely monitored by Shane Nevin. However, there were many positives with Ciaran Quinlan, Philip Fanning, Andy Hoolan, Roddy Teehan, Conor Ryan, Bob Kenny, Sean Fogarty, Philip Fanning and Paddy Fogarty all playing their part with Paddy Fogarty earning the man of the match accolade.

Philip Austin was Borrisokane’s most dangerous forward, but his departure left a major void. Oisin Larkin, a surprise omission from the starting line-up, replaced him and made an impression as did Shane Nevin, Gary Ryan, and Mike Heenan. Colm Larkin was exceptional in goal and produced two brilliant saves, one in each half.

Moneygall took the early initiative when taking a 0-3 to 0-1 lead before Borrisokane really set the game alight after Ciaran Foley’s goal had them 1-2 to 0-4 in front after ten minutes. Jack Larkin increased the Borris lead with an assist from Conor Ryan. Bob Kenny replied with a long range score, but Borris were two in front thanks to a Gary Ryan free. Moneygall were under pressure and were relieved to see Ciaran Quinlan deny Philip Austin from close range as the full forward bore down on goal.

Michel Heenan had a half a chance of a goal in the 20th minute but two minutes later, the action as at the other end when Colm Larkin produced a great save when he denied Sean Fogarty at the expense of a 65.

But things were about to change. Philip Austin left the field and two minutes later Moneygall were back in front thanks to a Paddy Fogarty goal. One minute later, Mark Fanning increased the lead and Moneygall never looked back and led 1-8 to 1-5 at half time.

Paddy Fogarty pointed thirty seconds into the second half, but the margin was back to three after Ciaran Foley scored in the 35th minute. Incredibly the next ten minutes were devoid of scores as both sides squandered chances, especially Moneygall but they soon made amends when Mark Fanning’s score stood after consultation between the umpires and the match officials. It looked wide from my vantage point.

Two Joe Fogarty frees increased Moneygall’s lead to six with ten minutes remaining. Oisin Larkin replied with a Borris point, but Moneygall were moving more freely as Sean Kenneally, Paddy & Sean Fogarty were creating danger and in the 52nd minute, Joe Fogarty flicked the ball to the net after Paddy Fogarty provided the assist. Sean Kenneally added a point before Oisin Larkin fired over two points, including a free in the 56th minute.

Any thoughts of a Borrisokane comeback disappeared when Paddy Fogarty had Moneygall’s third goal in the final minute of normal time. Gary Ryan’s point in the 61st minute was a consolation, but Sean Kenneally hit back with a similar score.

Borris continued to keep their efforts up and Eanna Dooley scored a goal before Joe Fogarty completed the win with a free in the 65th minute. Game over and a relieved Moneygall were back in the semi-finals when they will take on Boherlahan-Dualla in the last four and they will have to play for the full hour if they are to win a place in the final.

Player of the Match: Paddy Fogarty (Moneygall)

Moneygall: Ciaran Quinlan (7); Cathal Greene (7), Philip Fanning (7), Andy Hoolan (7); Adam Hogan (6), Brendan Toohey (7), Roddy Teehan (7); Conor Ryan (0-1, 7), James Carroll (6); Bob Kenny (0-1, 8), Joe Fogarty (1-7, 0-5f, 0-1’65) 7), Sean Fogarty (0-1, 7); Paddy Fogarty (2-1, 8), Sean Kenneally (0-2, 7), Mark Fanning (0-2, 7).

Subs: Niall Maher for Fanning (blood 41-45); Jack Kirwan (NR) for Fanning (60+1).

Borrisokane: Colm Larkin (8); Brian Dooley (7), Shane Nevin (7), Jimmy Hough (6); Stephen Gavin (6), Bryan Davis (7), Liam Cleary (6); Jack Larkin (0-1, 6), Ciaran Foley (1-2, 8); Dylan Power (6), Garry Ryan (0-2, 1f, 7); Conor Ryan (0-1, 7), Mike Heenan (7), Philip Austin (0-1, 8).

Subs: Oisin Larkin (0-3, 7) for Austin (24 inj); Peter Collins (6) for Hough (41); Kevin Cleary for Foley (blood 44-46); Eanna Dooley (1-0, 7) for Power (51); Kevin Cleary (6) for Foley (54).

Referee: Ciaran O’Donovan (Burgess).