Borris-Ileigh stave off stern Toomevara challenge

GAA: North Tipperary Under 21 'A' Hurling Semi-Final

Borris-Ileigh 2-17

Toomevara 0-22

Report: Noel Dundon at Bishop Quinlan Park, Borrisoleigh

Despite Young Hurler of the Year Darragh McCarthy coming up with ten points, Toomevara were unable to overthrow Borris-Ileigh in the North Tipperary Under 21 ‘A’ Hurling semi-final on Sunday, in what was a fine contest which went right down to the final seconds.

A heavy fog had descended upon the venue during the morning and at times hampered visibility somewhat, but spectators were treated to a real humdinger with never much between them at any stage, including at the very death when the smallest possible margin was all that separated these great rivals.

And, if McCarthy was the key marksman for Toomevara, his Tipperary colleague Paddy McCormack was the fulcrum for Borris-Ileigh as he notched 0-12, with all bar one coming from placed balls.

But, it was the 2-1 from corner forward Lar Stapleton which proved to be the real difference between the sides – his first goal coming after five minutes, and his second arriving at the end of the third quarter, with both scores really knocking Toomevara back on their heels.

The first Borris’ goal was timely indeed as Toomevara had started in a whirlwind with Patrick Hackett and McCarthy both pointing inside the first minute to seize the initial initiative. However, McCormack from a free and then Stapleton’s goal changed the picture somewhat, even though McCarthy and Hackett repeated their earlier feats with two more scores to tie it up after six minutes.

They would be level on seven occasions in the first half as the scores swung this way and that – McCarthy ended up with 0-4 in that half to go along with Adam Hall (2), Liam Hackett and Tim O’Flaherty (3) scores. However, their 0-12 tally was bested by the home side which came up with 1-10– Paddy McCormack accounting for six of those, while Eoin Ryan, Razuk Attik, Jack Bevans and Lar Stapleton got the other points.

There was a significant tactical battle underway on the side-lines also with both sides adopting sweepers, and man-marking was the order of the day as they identified key players on each side who needed to be picked up and curbed.

It did seem that Toome’ had the scoring capacity to see this game out and the fact that Hall, Flaherty and Hackett were on song pointed to them having the capacity to claim the win. But, the scores more-or-less dried up in the second half as Borris-Ileigh put the shackles on them and then went about creating scores of their own.

Mind you within five minutes of the re-start it seemed as though there would only be one winner as three points in quick succession from Jack Hogan, Hackett and Hall had them two in front and moving really well.

Paddy McCormack and Darragh McCarthy did trade points before McCormack added another. And, when a marvellous Borris-Ileigh moving from back to front ended up with Lar Stapleton who despatched to the net, Borris’ were back in front by two points and the pendulum had swung once more.

The victors would not be led thereafter. Indeed, Toome’ were unable to get back on terms either and it was quite impressive to see the home side nipping up-field to grab a score each time Toomevara looked to be eating into the deficit.

Every morsel of possession was being fought for with ferocious intensity now and while it did result in plenty of scrappy play, nobody could deny the intent from both sets of players. Paddy McCormack and Cathal Kennedy extended the Borris’ lead to four points with a quarter of an hour to go, and Darragh McCarthy (3) and McCormack (2) also traded scores to create a grandstand finish.

Sub Jack Doran came up trumps for a Toomevara point– Paddy McCormack cancelled it out to leave three between them – a dangerous lead. The problem from a Toomevara viewpoint was that they were unable to create a possible goal-scoring opportunity and they were forced instead to rely on points to claw their way back.

To their credit, Toomevara did everything in their power to get back on terms – Darragh McCarthy pointing twice as the clock ticked into additional time. But, with Tom Delaney at centre back and man-of-the-Match Michael Ryan at wing back lording it for Borris-Ileigh, there was no way through and they managed to stave off the stern questions asked of them by Toomevara who were left smarting at, in their view, the short amount of additional time played by referee Ger Fitzpatrick – they certainly let him know what they thought of the final whistle when it sounded.

Borris-Ileigh prevailed, and setting themselves up nicely for a tilt defending their title against Silvermines in a repeat of last years final.

Player of the Match: Michael Ryan (Borris-Ileigh)

Borris-Ileigh: Archie Devaney (8), David Rabbitte (6), Pa Ryan (6), Harry Gould (6); Mikey Kennedy (7), Tom Delaney (7), Michael Ryan (9), Jack Bevans (0-1, 7), Razuk Attik (0-1, 7), Eoin Boyle (6), Paddy McCormack (0-12, 11f, 8), Eoin Ryan (0-2, 7), Darragh Chute (6), Cathal Kennedy (0-1, 7), Lar Stapleton (2-1, 8).

Subs: Eamon Groome (6) for Gould (HT); Patrick Brett (NR) for Boyle (56).

Toomevara: Darragh Hayes (7), Cathal Frend (6), Jack Ryan (7), Cormac Frend (6), Brian Farrell (5), Dan Farrell (6), Oisin Troy (6), Austin Duff (7), Jack Hackett (7), Patrick Hackett (0-3, 7), Jack Hogan (0-1f, 6), Liam Hackett (0-1, 6), Darragh McCarthy (0-10, 9f, 8), Adam Hall (0-3, 8), Tim O’Flaherty (0-3, 9).

Subs: Cody Quirke (6) for Hogan (36); Jack Doran (0-1, 6) for L Hackett (43); David Ryan (6) for Troy (54); Tony Dunne (NR) for Farrell (60).

Referee: Ger Fitzpatrick (Roscrea).