Spoils shared as Roscrea rue late miss

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Group 4 Round 2

Borris-Ileigh 0-19

Roscrea 1-16

Report: Stephen Barry at Pairc Shilean, Templemore

Photos: Odhran Ducie

Roscrea were left to rue a missed chance to get one over on Borris-Ileigh as Shane Fletcher's final 65 dropped inches short in a draw which will disappoint both sides in this round two Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship clash on Saturday.

Neither progression nor relegation can be ruled out for either team after their tense Templemore arm wrestle.

The sides were level eleven times, although the balance of play was titled in Roscrea's favour throughout. They took the lead ten times against Borris's two, but couldn't hang on. A jittery finish saw just four pointed frees and no score from play from the 47th minute onwards.

Roscrea powered out of the blocks from the opening throw-in of either half. For starters, Alan Tynan launched an instant point before returning captain Dan McCormack got Borris on the board.

Conor Sheedy slipped back into position as the Roscrea sweeper, and he pointed from distance before Evan Fitzpatrick's turnover earned a free for Shane Fletcher.

Borris began to match that work-rate, with Eddie Ryan leading from the front. He turned over possession for two pointed frees and tracked back to hook a Tynan shot.

Their best period yielded four points in three minutes, through Patrick Ryan's frees and intercept points by James Devaney and Jerry Kelly. 0-5 to 0-3 would be their biggest lead. It didn't last long.

Roscrea struck for the game's only goal in the tenth minute. Luke Seacy's defensive work forced the free out. Sheedy sent it long and Jason Gilmartin read the break before pinging the sliotar home via the far post.

Kelly's second point levelled, but Roscrea pressed on. Conor Dooley was the focal point for their attack, laying on a Tynan point before drawing his first of two frees for Fletcher to convert. In between, Patrick Ryan and Devaney, profiting from a Seán McCormack hook, got back-to-back scores.

After the next Fletcher free, Fitzpatrick arrowed over from a near-impossible angle and the overlapping Michael Campion made it three on the trot.

Borris-Ileigh dug in with four of the final five points before the break. Against a lone Fletcher free, Patrick Ryan slotted two placed balls, Tom Delaney nailed another, and Devaney's third sent the sides in level; 0-12 to 1-9.

Roscrea's next throw-in power play saw Tynan feed midfield partner Dan Ryan for the lead score. Devaney knocked over another leveller before they spurned a chance to lead when botching a short free close to the posts. Roscrea countered for a Fitzpatrick goal chance, which was blocked by Delaney.

Darragh Tynan pushed forward for his opening point, cancelled out by Patrick Ryan's sixth free.

Leigh Loughnane scored upon his introduction and Fitzpatrick landed a second highlight-reel point. Borris pegged them back with Devaney's fifth and a Colm Boyle score. The on-form Devaney simply didn't see enough of the ball in the final quarter.

Patrick Ryan dropped into a deeper role, although once Kelly missed a free, he was restored to placed-ball duties.

The Tynan’s combined to draw a loud cheer for Darragh's finish before the hard-working Paddy McCormack popped over the final score from play.

It made for a gruelling finish. Boyle advanced to draw the lead free for Patrick Ryan. Sam Dooley was held for Fletcher's response.

Dan McCormack was called for fouling the sliotar and Enda Moloney came out of goal to strike over from inside his own 65. An even longer attempt by the keeper missed subsequently.

Borris-Ileigh’s decision to spring the injured Ray McCormack from the bench for the final moments was justified when he was fouled for Patrick Ryan's eighth free.

There would be one last chance. Evan Fitzpatrick soloed towards goal; Dan McCormack flicked the sliotar away for a 65. However, Shane Fletcher didn't catch it right and James McCormack brought down the dropping shot and with it the spoils were shared.

Player of the Match: James Devaney (Borris-Ileigh)

Borris-Ileigh: James McCormack (6); Shane Kenny (7), Liam Ryan (7), Johnny McGrath (6); Dan McCormack (0-1, 6), Tom Delaney (0-1f, 7), Kevin Maher (7); Seán McCormack (6), Colm Boyle (0-1, 7); Jerry Kelly (0-2, 7), Eddie Ryan (7), Conor Kenny (5); Patrick Ryan (0-8f, 7), Paddy McCormack (0-1, 6), James Devaney (0-5, 8).

Subs: Cathal Hogan (6) for McGrath (HT); Tommy Ryan (6) for Maher (41); Jack Fitzgerald (6) for C Kenny (48); Kieran Maher (6) for S McCormack (55); Ray McCormack (NR) for E Ryan (59).

Roscrea: Enda Moloney (0-1f, 6); Luke Seacy (7), Shane Davis (6), Aidan Booth (6); Darragh Tynan (0-2, 7), Conor Phelan (6), Michael Campion (0-1, 7); Alan Tynan (0-2, 7), Dan Ryan (0-1, 7); Evan Fitzpatrick (0-2, 7), Conor Sheedy (0-1, 7), Conor Booth (5); Shane Fletcher (0-5f, 6), Conor Dooley (7), Jason Gilmartin (1-0, 7).

Subs: Leigh Loughnane (0-1, 7) for C Booth (36); Kenny Lee (6) for Gilmartin (46); Owen Tynan for Campion (50-52, temp); Owen Tynan (6) for Phelan (55); Sam Dooley (6) for Ryan (55).

Referee: Seán Everard (Moyne-Templetuohy).