Borrisokane claim Division 4 success

GAA: FBD Insurance County Hurling League Division 4 Final

Borrisokane 2-17

Moyle Rovers 2-16

Report: Liam Hogan at The Ragg

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Conor Ryan (Borrisokane)

SCORERS - Borrisokane: Oisin Larkin 1-7 (1-0 pen, 0-3 frees); Gary Ryan 0-3 (1 free); Philip Austin 1-0; Jack Larkin, Conor Ryan 0-2 each; Seody Cleary, Liam Cleary, Liam Dooley 0-1 each.

Moyle Rovers: Dara Ryan 1-6 (0-5 frees, 0-1’65); Dean English 1-1; Stephen Quirke, Kevin Grace, Daire Luttrell 0-2 each; Shane Ryan, Shane Lonergan, Cathal McKeown 0-1 each.

Four unanswered points in injury time helped Borrisokane past a determined Moyle Rovers to win an exciting County Hurling League Division 4 final on Sunday.

Scores were level nine times over the hour before the five minutes of extra time saw Borrisokane take a 2-17 to 1-16 lead. It didn’t end there as Moyle Rovers had time to for one last scoring chance and Dean English, unmarked close to goal, gave Borrisokane keeper Colm Larkin no chance before time ran out.

This was a victory that will do Borrisokane the world of good as they face into championship fare, firstly taking on Ballinahinch in the North quarter final in ten days’ time. They should have a stronger squad by then, but on Sunday they had only three substitutes on the bench. From last year’s campaign, Borris were short the services of Luke Gleeson, Cathal Dooley, Stephen Gavin, Michael Heenan, Andy Austin, and Eddie Dwyer. In addition, they Philip Austin replaced with twenty minutes remaining, more of a precaution with the Borris management having the championship in view.

They needed every player because they were up against a Moyle Rovers team that made little of the fact they were relegated to Junior last October. They have a fine team and with Stephen Quirke making a return the Tipp footballer, wasted no time in pointing two points inside four minutes. His team were four to the good when the Borris defence were at sixes and sevens as full forward Dara Ryan found the net. But within three minutes Borrisokane had responded as Philip Austin won a penalty and Oisin Larkin converted.

Dara Ryan’s free from halfway had Moyle two in front before they had trouble at the other end as failure to execute the short puckout allowed Borris to come level with points from Gary Ryan on halfway, followed by one from Jack Larkin.

By now Borrisokane had moved Roan Murphy to wing back to manage Stephen Quirke – which he succeeded in doing so – and after both sides swapped scores it was the ever-present Conor Ryan who drifted into a dangerous position before offloading to Philip Austin who fired home from close range.

Three quickfire points had Moyle Rovers back in front, including one from Shane Lonergan who operated as a sweeper with telling effect. Jack Larkin replied to level matters for the fourth time 2-5 to 1-8 before Dara Ryan (65 and a free) had Moyle in front before Garry Ryan replied with a long range free. Half time: Borrisokane 2-5 Moyle Rovers 1-10

Dara Ryan’s free edged Moyle Rovers two in front inside seventy-five seconds before Oisin Larkin responded with a point from play. At this stage Philip Austin had departed the scene and Moyle Rovers took advantage by going two in front with a Kevin Grace point.

However, Borrisokane, with the half back line of Liam Cleary, Roan Murphy and Liam Dooley having the advantage, were back level by the 41st minute through the impressive Conor Ryan scoring with Seody Cleary adding another seconds later before Borris took the lead through Oisin Larkin from a free.

Both Dara Ryan and Oisin Larkin swapped frees before eighteen-year-old Daire Luttrell had the teams’ level for the seventh time. With plenty of clearances coming from Morgan Irwin and Shane Lonergan another passing move involving Anthony Phelan and Cathal McKeown saw the later move Moyle Rovers in front, but Oisin Larkin levelled in the 55th minute before Dean English had the Southsider’s in front for the final time two minutes later.

We didn’t have to wait very long for Borrisokane to respond and when wing back Liam Cleary scored from long range it looked as if extra time was a possibility and in the 62nd minute Oisin Larkin planted his feet on the ground before finding the lead point from exactly halfway.

Both sides missed chances but in the 64th minute Liam Dooley added another long-range score to extend Borrisokane’s lead to two before they threw precaution to the wind as Gary & Conor Ryan found the target as they stretched the lead to four.

Another minute of play developed, and Moyle Rovers came in search of a goal and an unmarked Dean English obliged, however it was mere consolation.

TEAMS - Borrisokane: Colm Larkin (7); Brian Dooley (7), Brian Davis (Capt 7), Jimmy Hough (7); Liam Cleary (7), Roan Murphy (7), Liam Dooley (8); Kevin Cleary (7), Dylan Power (7); Seody Cleary (7), Oisin Larkin (7), Conor Ryan (8); Philip Austin (7), Gary Ryan (7), Jack Larkin (7).

Subs: Michael Kelly (7) for P Austin (37 inj); Gordon Harding (6) for S Cleary (51).

Moyle Rovers: Luke Delahunty (6); Jack Holohan (6), Shane Luttrell (7), Brian McKeown (7); Shane Ryan (6), Morgan Irwin (8), Cathal McKeown (7); Anthony Phelan (8), Kevin Grace (7); Stephen Quirke (7), Craig Condon (6), Daire Luttrell (7); Shane Lonergan (8), Dara Ryan (8), Dean English (7).

Subs: Rory Collins for Condon (42); Sean Keating for Grace (50); Danny Lyne for Luttrell (53); Cillian Crowe for B McKeown (57).

Referee: Joe Leahy (Moyne-Templetuohy)