Borris-Ileigh strike late to see off Lorrha

GAA: Hibernian Inn North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Round 1

Borris-Ileigh 1-25

Lorrha 1-18

Report: Liam Hogan in Nenagh

MATCH DIGEST

Man of the Match: Ray McCormack (Borris-Ileigh)

SCORERS - Borris-Ileigh: Eddie Ryan 0-5 (3 frees); Niall Kenny 1-2; Kevin Maher (1 free), James Devaney 0-4 each; Jerry Kelly 0-3; Brendan Maher (1 free), Paddy Stapleton, Colm Boyle 0-2 each; Conor Kenny 0-1.

Lorrha: Colm Fogarty 1-5 (0-4 frees); Eoin McIntyre 0-5; Brian Hogan 0-4 (2 frees, 1’65); Cian Hogan 0-3; Niall McIntyre 0-1.

Borris-Ileigh eventually shook off the Lorrha challenge with a late scoring burst, seeing them through an exciting first round North Senior Hurling Championship encounter on Friday evening.

Scores were level eight times as Borris-Ileigh, one of the favourites to win the Dan Breen, needed all their aces to see off a Lorrha side who won’t be Dan Breen contenders by reason of the fact they will be competing in the Seamus O Riain.

Such was the Lorrha performance that Borris-Ileigh needed to spring Brendan Maher from the bench to see them over the line. Dan McCormack was another absentee as Maher entered the scene when the teams returned from their final waterbreak in the 49th minute.

Scores were level, Borris-Ileigh 0-19 Lorrha 1-16 at the time and two quick points by Maher inside three minutes, eased Borris in front and they were not going to let go as they outscored Lorrha 1-6 to 0-2 in those final minutes with Niall Kenny’s goal in the 61st minute sealing victory.

The seven-point margin was unkind to Lorrha as they played a great hour’s hurling but Borris had the greater strength and firepower with Seamus Bourke in charge in the inside backline while in front of him Ciaran Cowan inspired at six in the company of wing back and man of the match Ray McCormack.

Borris had more scoring potential up front with James Devaney, Kevin Maher, Jerry Kelly, and Paddy Stapleton securing vital scores when needed most while Niall Kenny’s strength in front of goal played an important role exemplified by his game’s clinching score.

On the Lorrha side they can be proud of their defence where Ciaran Haugh and Brian Hogan inspired. Hogan’s fielding under pressure was magnificent and he could score too while midfielders Eoin & Niall McIntyre combined to score six from play with Eoin grabbing five in a near perfect first half. Cian Hogan was another to catch the eye on the scoring front and his three points were vital while 1-5 (0-4 frees) came from Colm Fogarty as only two of the Lorrha starting front six made the scoresheet.

Borris-Ileigh played with the breeze in the first half, but Lorrha fired the first missile when Colm Fogarty found the net inside ninety seconds. It rattled Borris-Ileigh but by the tenth minute they had recovered to go a point in front thanks to four unanswered points including two from Paddy Stapleton at centre forward.

Both sides toyed with the lead with Lorrha back in front after Eoin McIntyre and a Colm Fogarty free had them 1-2 to 0-4 in front before James Devaney levelled in the 13th minute. Then it was the turn of Borris-Ileigh as Devaney and Colm Boyle had them in front before Devaney forced Patrick Reddin to make a good save just in time for the first waterbreak.

By the 23rd minute Borris were four points in front following Jerry Kelly’s point from halfway. Lorrha needed respite and after Brian Hogan pointed a 65, they closed the gap to two thanks to a Colm Fogarty close range free and suddenly they had found a new lease of life and approaching half time they came level after Eoin McIntyre (his fourth) and another Brian Hogan 65 made the scoreline Lorrha 1-9 Borris-Ileigh 0-12 at the break.

Scores would be level five more times as both sides took turns in taking the lead with Borris going two in front after Kevin Maher posted two quick frees. Lorrha responded with two Cian Hogan points either side of a Colm Fogarty free. The lead lasted no length as two Niall Kenny points saw Borris back in front by the 38th minute before Hogan levelled with his third from out on the wing.

It was exciting stuff with the teams trying to produce one score better than the other and Borris-Ileigh moved two in front after Kevin Maher and Eddie Ryan pointed frees but Lorrha fought back to produce three quick points beginning with Brian Hogan’s ninety metre free closely followed by points from play through Eoin McIntyre and Colm Fogarty allowing Lorrha lead 1-16 to 0-18.

As expected, Borris replied and when Jerry Kelly levelled from halfway, referee Ger Fitzpatrick signalled time for the final water-break. Enter Brendan Maher and after the Tipp star scored two points as Borris began playing with confidence. Colm Boyle added another but Brian Hogan kept Lorrha in touch with a long range score after fielding the opposition puckout.

Jerry Kelly hit back but Colm Fogarty cut the margin to two with a free, Lorrha’s final score and three minutes remaining.

However, Borris-Ileigh appeared to have the extra leg power as Eddie Ryan and Devaney stretched their lead and it was left to Niall Kenny to fire home their only goal leaving no doubt about the outcome.

TEAMS – Borris-Ileigh: James McCormack (7); Seamus Bourke (7), Liam Ryan (7), Kieran Maher (7); Colm Boyle (7), Ciaran Cowan (7), Ray McCormack (8); Jerry Kelly (7), Kevin Maher (6); Conor Kenny (7), Paddy Stapleton (7), Shane Kenny (6); Eddie Ryan (6), Niall Kenny (7), James Devaney (7).

Sub: Brendan Maher (7) for S Kenny (49).

Lorrha: Patrick Reddin (7); Michael Dolan (7), Conor Hogan (7), Denis O’Meara (6); Ciaran Haugh (8), Brian Hogan (8), Jamie Lewis (6); Eoin McIntyre (8), Niall McIntyre (7); Cian Hogan (8), Daniel Donoghue (6), David Fogarty (6); Christopher Fogarty (6), Alan O’Meara (6), Colm Fogarty (7).

Subs: David Sullivan (6) for D O’Meara (44); Willie Maher (6) for A O’Meara (44).

Referee: Ger Fitzpatrick (Roscrea).