Borris-Ileigh secure back-to-back North U21 ‘A’ Hurling titles

GAA: North Tipperary Under 21 ‘A’ Hurling Final

Borris-Ileigh 1-15

Silvermines 1-8

Report: James Hayden at Fr. Kenyon Park, Templederry

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Paddy McCormack (Borris-Ileigh).

SCORERS – Borris-Ileigh: Paddy McCormack 0-11 (9 frees, 1 65); Patrick Brett 1-0; Michael Ryan 0-2; Cathal Kennedy, Eoin Ryan 0-1 each.

Silvermines: Conor Ryan 1-1; Sean Nolan (frees); Daniel McKelvey 0-3 each; Patrick Steed 0-1.

Borris-Ileigh overcame a stiff Silvermines challenge to secure back-to-back North Tipperary Under 21 ‘A’ Hurling titles following an absorbing decider on Sunday afternoon.

In what was a repeat of last year’s final, this renewal provided the opportunity for Silvermines to atone for the 2-16 to 1-13 loss to the men in maroon in what was only their third ever appearance in the North U21 ‘A’ hurling showpiece.

Silvermines went into this encounter off the back of a superb extra-time victory over a fancied Ballina side in the semi-final while a determined Borris-Ileigh side dispatched a tremendous Toomevara by the bare minimum following an enthralling semi-final encounter.

In what proved a clinical second half display, Borris-Ileigh, with a gusting gale at their back, mastered the elements with precision to dispatch a determined Silvermines challenge.

With both sides locked at 0-5 apiece at the break the general consensus was that the ‘Mines would have it all to do in the second half if they were to curtail an impressive Borris-Ileigh side.

All of Borris-Ileigh's first half tally came from placed balls with Paddy McCormack ensuring they kept pace with a Silvermines side who hit four from play (three from the stick of the impressive Daniel McKelvey and the fourth from corner-forward, Conor Ryan). Sean Nolan had the chance to edge the ‘Mines ahead with a free deep in injury time but his effort unfortunately tailed to the right.

Eight first half wides proved detrimental to Silvermines’ cause and Niall Curran’s charges could have easily led at the break.

Indeed, two early goal chances inside eight minutes could have also ensured a far different look to the scoreboard but Archie Devaney got down low to deny Conor Ryan’s first timed effort after seven minutes while just seconds later David Rabbitte put his body on the line to deny Cathal Treacy from close-range.

Silvermines, playing with the aid of a strong diagonal breeze, led by double scores mid-way through the half thanks mainly to successive Daniel McKelvey points in the ninth and thirteenth minutes.

Paddy McCormack narrowed the gap with a long-range free in the 20th minute before a third McKelvey point from play in the 24th minutes restored Silvermines’ two-point lead.

McCormack converted successive 25th & 31st minute frees to restore parity and undoubtedly Diarmuid Kinnane’s charges were the happier at the break despite firing eight wides.

Both Tom Delaney and Patrick Ryan marshalled their respective defensive lines well in the opening half and proved instrumental in curtailing the ‘Mines attack in the opening half.

Borris-Ileigh exploded out of the blocks in the second half with the effervescent Eoin Boyle setting Eoin Ryan up for his side’s opening point of the second half. Michael Ryan added another seconds later after the tidy wing-back gathered a neat Tom Delaney delivery and arrowed over from range with impressive accuracy.

Silvermines retorted with a cracking Conor Ryan goal on 33 minutes, the wristy corner-forward burying the sliotar in the back of the Borris-Ileigh net from close range to hand the ‘Mines a badly needed major and edge them back into a slender one-point lead, 1-5 to 0-7.

Unfortunately, Silvermines drifted deeper and deeper into their own half in their attempts to curtail Borris-Ileigh’s attack and found it difficult to break through a crowded middle third.

Borris-Ileigh kept the scoreboard moving with successive Paddy McCormack frees restoring the lead.

Pa Steed responded with a fantastic 37th minute point for the ‘Mines but from this juncture on Borris-Ileigh really imposed themselves on the game.

Further points from the stick of the hugely influential Paddy McCormack fired Borris’ three clear by the 45th minute as further wides hampered the ‘Mines efforts to hang on to Borris’ coat tails.

A 50th minute Cathal Kennedy effort coupled with a well struck Paddy McCormack 65’ on 53 minutes enhanced Borris-Ileigh’s lead before substitute Patrick Brett netted on 55 minutes with a sublime finish to put the game well and truly beyond the reach of a flagging Silvermines side.

Sean Nolan did tag on another free for the ‘Mines but the game was up at this stage and Borris-Ileigh easily saw out the final throes.

Silvermines goalkeeper, Luke O’Connor ensured the gap wasn’t widened any more with a spectacular double save on 57 minutes, after he had earlier pulled off two fine saves from close-range.

However, it was Borris-Ileigh who ran out deserving winners, who have now annexed their third title in four years after bridging a 25-year gap to claim what was then their fifth title in 2022. The future is indeed bright for the men in maroon & white.

Impressive for Borris-Ileigh were Tom Delaney, Patrick Ryan, David Rabbitte Michael Ryan, Jack Bevans, Cathal Kennedy and Eoin Boyle, while Luke O’Connor, Sean Murphy, Sean McGrath, Luke O’Brien, Daniel McKelvey, Patrick Steed, Cathal Treacy and Conor Ryan caught the eye for Silvermines.

TEAMS - Borris-Ileigh: Archie Devaney (7); David Rabbitte (7), Patrick Ryan (7), Harry Gould (7); Michael Kennedy (7), Tom Delaney (8), Michael Ryan (8); Jack Bevans (7), Razuk Atik (7); Eoin Boyle (7), Paddy McCormack (8), Cathal Kennedy (Capt 7); Darragh Chute (7), Lar Stapleton (7), Eoin Ryan (7).

Subs: Eamon Groome (7) for Gould (38); Patrick Brett (7) for Kennedy (51); Donnacha Ryan (NR) for Chute (60+1).

Silvermines: Luke O'Connor (8); Sean Murphy (7), Sean Ryan Prendiville (7), Sean McGrath (8); Brehon O'Donnell (7), Luke O'Brien (Capt 8), Darragh Treacy (7); Patrick Steed (7), Jack Quirke Jones (7), Cynan Bailey (7), Sean Nolan (7), Cathal Treacy (7); Daniel McKelvey (8); Danny Quinn (7), Conor Ryan (7).

Referee: John Cleary (Knockshegowna).