Borrisokane ease into Intermediate semi-finals

GAA: Kelly’s of Fantane North Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter Final

Borrisokane 1-23

Ballinahinch 0-12

Report: James Hayden in Puckane

Borrisokane proved far too strong for a depleted Ballinahinch in what proved a one-sided North Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter-final on Friday evening.

From the very get-go, Ballinahinch, who were without the services of a number of players, including former Tipp player Shane McGrath, were under the cosh as Borrisokane got their campaign off to an impressive start.

Seamus Gleeson’s charges were out of the blocks quickly with an early pointed free from Oisín Larkin and a fine brace from captain Mike Heenan firing the men from Lower Ormond into a lead they never relinquished.

Ger Grace did open Ballinahinch’s account with a well-taken point off his right on seven minutes but even at this early juncture they were struggling in a number of sectors.

Four further points on the bounce from the impressive Liam Cleary, Ran Murphy, Gary Ryan and Oisín Larkin (free) saw Borris’ stretch their lead to six before Karl Kelly arrowed over a well-struck free from range for Ballinahinch’s second.

Oisín Larkin popped up for a trio of points between the 20th & 22nd minutes to stretch the gap to ten and even at this point there seemed no way back for Pat Cremin’s side.

Borrisokane heaped on the pressure in the closing ten minutes of the half with Gary Ryan bringing the best out of John Foley in the Ballinahinch goal with a low goal-bound drive.

Liam Cleary surged up from wing-back for an impressive brace in the 25th & 26th minutes before points late in the half from Conor Ryan and Mike Kelly ensured the men in green and white led by 0-17 to 0-4 at the break.

Ballinahinch did fashion a semblance of a goal chance just before the interval whistle though, with Ger Grace electing to knife over from close-range after finding himself unmarked in front of the Borrisokane goal.

Credit to Ballinahinch they endeavoured to up the tempo for the second half with early points from Davy Gleeson and Brendan Ryan, but these points only served to book-end a brace from the impressive Oisín Larkin.

Ballinahinch added further points from Gleeson (free) and Adam Ryan before Gary Ryan found Mike Heenan in space in front of the Ballinahinch goal. Heenan rattled the net with a low 47th minute strike to heap further misery upon the men in saffron and blue, 1-19 to 0-9.

As the descending gloom enveloped the Puckane pitch, Borrisokane continued to find their range with Oisín Larkin, Gary Ryan and Mike Kelly adding to their side's tally, although Raphael Ryan and Ger Grace did keep the scoreboard ticking over for Ballinahinch who were reduced to fourteen men on 59 minutes after Davy Gleeson received successive yellow cards for two incidents in the same passage of play.

Karl Kelly flighted over a late free from Ballinahinch for what was the last action of the game as Borrisokane eased into a semi-final clash with near neighbours and fierce rivals, Shannon Rovers.

Borrisokane will undoubtedly prove formidable opponents for the Rovers and appear to have the necessary firepower in attack and cohesive structure defence to mount a serious tilt at this year’s North championship.

Ballinahinch on the other hand will regroup and prepare for the county championship but will have it all to do in a tough group which features Borrisokane, Skeheenarinky and Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams.

Player of the Match: Oisín Larkin (Borrisokane)

Borrisokane: Colm Larkin (7); Jimmy Hough (7), Shane Nevin (7) Bryan Davis (7); Liam Cleary (0-3, 8), Roan Murphy (0-1, 7), Liam Dooley (7); Dylan Power (7), Kevin Cleary (7); Mike Heenan (1-2, 8), Oisin Larkin (0-9, 4f) 8), Mike Kelly (0-2, 7); Conor Ryan (0-1, 7), Gary Ryan (0-4, 1f) 7), Jack Larkin (7).

Sub: Seody Cleary (0-1, 7) for Heenan (48)

Ballinahinch: John Foley (7); James Lynch (7), Paddy Kelly (7), Frank Troy (6); Kevin Fitzpatrick (7), Karl Kelly (0-3f, 7), Cathal Ryan (B) (7); Ger Grace (0-3, 7), John Ryan (B) (7); Jack Mullaney (6), Joey Kelly (7), Adam Ryan (0-1, 6); Brendan Ryan (0-1, 6), Davey Gleeson (0-3, 2f) 7), Evan Kearns (6).

Subs: Raphael Ryan (0-1, 6) for Mullaney (HT); David Ryan (6) for Kearns (48); Evan Kearns (NR) for R Ryan (60 inj).

Referee: Shane Hodgins (Knockshegowna).