Kiladangan find spark to leave Borris shell-shocked

GAA: Hibernian Inn North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Kiladangan 0-16

Borris-Ileigh 0-12

Report: Shane Brophy in Dolla

Kiladangan have been looking for a spark for some time now to renew themselves and they may well have got it on Sunday as they produced a storming final ten minute performance, down to thirteen men, as they came from behind to see-off a shell-shocked Borris-Ileigh in this North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship semi-final.

The game might have been short on scores, not helped by a deluge of rain just at the throw-in which reduced the first half especially to a battle, but which made the game what it was, a compelling spectacle, which boiled over on a number of occasions with no fewer than three players sent off.

There was a tetchiness right from the off as Kiladangan’s Joe Gallagher looked to curb the impact of Eddie Ryan but within three minutes was on a yellow card. The big hits stayed coming with Borris-Ileigh’s Conor Kenny and Sean McCormack both yellow carded before things blew up in the 24th minute which led to Kenny receiving a second yellow card with Kiladangan’s Declan McGrath given a straight red card by referee Peter Carroll.

The game was four points apiece at the time with Eddie Ryan continuing where he left off against Kilruane in the quarter final while Kevin Maher and Conor Kenny were also on target. Willie Connors was Kiladangan’s chief threat with two points with Paul Flynn and Billy Seymour also on target.

Despite the greasy conditions, there were good bouts of hurling with only two points from frees coming in the half, both from Eddie Ryan, with Sean Hayes getting Kiladangan’s remaining score of the half as they trailed 0-6 to 0-5 at the break.

The second half proved to be a case of who would blink first. With both sides down to fourteen men, both abegan operating a sweeper with Brendan Maher for Borris-Ileigh and Alan Flynn taking up the role for Kiladangan and was particularly effective.

Eoghan Sharkey quickly levelled after half time, but Borris went two clear with a 65 and a free from Eddie Ryan. Tadgh Gallagher responded before Ryan added another long range free. Scores from play were at a premium as two Billy Seymour frees had Kiladangan level at 0-9 apiece on 46 minutes. Seymour nudged his side ahead before two inspirational long range scores from Dan McCormack looked to have given Borris-Ileigh the momentum, added to by Tadgh Gallagher’s red card on 51 minutes following an off the ball incident with Tommy Ryan.

Eddie Ryan stretched the advantage to two on 54 minutes with a free, but it proved to be Borris-Ileigh’s final score as despite being a man short, the remaining thirteen men saw Kiladangan summon a performance of them at their very best. Willie Connors was brought to midfield with Joe Gallagher moved from centre back to full forward. From there, full of hunger and intensity, and when a hard ball had to be won, Kiladangan came out on top.

One player than stood up big for Kiladangan in the second half was Sean Hayes who won no fewer than four frees which resulted in Billy Seymour scores, two of them coming after the second red card when his side really needed them.

Paul Flynn also had a big closing period, not only with his two points, but also winning crucial possession on the wing while Billy Seymour had a strong finish also, scoring five of Kiladangan’s six points to turn a precarious situation into yet another North Senior Hurling Final appearance.

For Borris-Ileigh, the manner of the late collapse with an extra man will be hard to digest but their Achilles Heel was in the forwards where they fell short as no starting forward managed a score in the second half, with Dan McCormack’s two points the only ones they managed from play. They certainly missed Conor Kenny’s physical presence after he was sent off.

These two sides will meet in the group stages of the county championship next month and with the edge that was generated in this game, it should ensure another feisty encounter next time round.

Player of the Match: Sean Hayes (Kiladangan)

Kiladangan: Barry Hogan (6); Darren Moran (7), James Quigley (7), David Sweeney (8); Alan Flynn (8); Johnny Horan (7), Joe Gallagher (7), Declan McGrath (6); Conor Byrne (7), Tadgh Gallagher (0-1, 6); Paul Flynn (0-3, 8), Billy Seymour (0-9, 7f) 8), Sean Hayes (0-1, 8); Eoghan Sharkey (0-1, 6), Willie Connors (0-2, 7).

Subs: Dan O’Meara (6) for Sharkey (53); Shane Gleeson (NR) for Connors (60+2 inj).

Borris-Ileigh: Jack Bourke (7); Colm Boyle (7), Liam Ryan (7), Seamus Burke (7); Sean McCormack (7), Dan McCormack (0-2, 8), Brendan Maher (8); Shane Kenny (6), Tom Ryan (6); Jerry Kelly (6), Eddie Ryan (0-8, 5f, 1 65) 8), James Devaney (6); Kevin Maher (0-1, 6), Conor Kenny (0-1, 6), Jack Hogan (6).

Subs: Paddy McCormack (6) for S McCormack (40 inj); Ray McCormack (6) for Hogan (47).

Referee: Peter Carroll (Burgess).