Borris-Ileigh flex muscles to reach County U21 'A' Hurling decider

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Under 21 ‘A’ Hurling Semi-Final

Borris-Ileigh 3-21

Ballingarry 2-13

Report: Michael Dundon at Fethard Town Park

North champions Borris-Ileigh extended their divisional winning vein to the county scene with an eleven point win over South champions Ballingarry in the County Under 21 ‘A’ Hurling semi-final on Sunday.

Switched from Cashel because that venue was unplayable, the location made no difference to the Borris boys, who, apart from a dodgy six minute spell in the first quarter, always looked likely winners. Having been six points down after that early lapse, they went four clear by half-time and then streaked away to an eleven point winning margin by hours end.

Most people’s fancy to reach the final against holders Holycross-Ballycahill who accounted for Golden-Kilfeacle in the second semi-final later in the day, Borris did not make life easy for themselves early on.

Leading 0-3 to 0-1 after four minutes they were caught flat-footed when Jack Cahill (son of Tipp senior boss Liam) moved on to a Tommy Blackmore pass to fire home Ballingarry’s first goal. They quickly added points from Cahill and Ben Ivers and then Cahill’s long-range free somehow ended in the Borris net for a 2-3 to 0-3 lead.

An upheaval looked on the cards, but the quality of this Borris side then showed as they fired over five points to Ballingarry’s two before Michael Ryan had Borris’ first goal in the seventeenth minute.

Eoin Ryan pointed to achieve parity, 1-9 to 2-6 on eighteen minutes, and they never looked back after that. Paddy McCormack and Eoin Boyle were the big threat in attack as they drove on for an interval lead of 2-13 to 2-9, Boyle getting the second goal in injury time.

The initial threat Ballingarry offered had begun to falter but they were still very much in contention facing into the second half if they could be a tad more incisive in attack where Simon Blackmore and Diarmuid Ryan were most influential.

Borris however, continued to dominate, and by the fortieth minute had doubled their half-time advantage (2-18 to 2-10). The game was decided a minute later when Michael Kennedy set up Eoin Boyle for Borris’ third goal and a 3-18 to 2-11 lead.

Bravely though they tried there was no way back for Ballingarry now and their cause was further hampered by an injury to Simon Blackmore which forced his withdrawal.

The final quarter was no more than a training spin for the winners who availed of the opportunity to use their full complement of subs – a rare luxury at this stage of competition ahead of a St Stephen’s Day final (1.30pm).

Borris-Ileigh face much stiffer opposition in the final against holders Holycross/Ballycahill in Cappawhite but on the evidence of this performance they have the quality and the character to add further silverware this year.

New Tipp senior panellist Tom Delaney is a dominant force at the heart of their defence with David Rabbitte and Michael Ryan also prominent. Jack Bevans worked hard at midfield, while Paddy McCormack was their target man in attack, Eoin Boyle and Cathal Kennedy benefitting from the attention he was attracting.

Ballingarry did not deserve an eleven point drubbing and enjoyed a decent share of play but they did not have the attacking options of their rivals. Jack Cahill had a great first half operating from midfield, but when moved to attack in the second half suffered from a lack of service. Simon Blackmore, Ben Ivers, Bill Cahill, Billy McGrath, goalie Jack Ryan, and Diarmuid Ryan also put in a big effort.

Player of the Match: Eoin Boyle (Borris-Ileigh)

Borris-Ileigh: Archie Delaney (6); David Rabbitte (7), Patrick Ryan (6), Eamon Groome (6); Michael Kennedy (0-2, 6), Tom Delaney (0-1, 7), Michael Ryan (1-2, 7); Jack Bevans (0-2, 7), Razuk Atik (6); Eoin Boyle (2-2, 9), Paddy McCormack (0-8, 5f, 7), Cathal Kennedy (7); Darragh Chute (0-1, 6), Lar Stapleton (0-1, 6), Eoin Ryan (0-2, 6).

Subs: Jack Gould (6) for C Kennedy (44); Patrick Brett (6) for Chute (50); Harry Gould (NR) for M Kennedy (56); Conor Kinnane (NR) for Stapleton (57); Donnacha Ryan (NR) for Rabbitte (60).

Ballingarry: Jack Ryan (7); Tadhg O’Brien (6), Michael Ryan (6), Michael Kerwick (6); Kieran Murray (6), Bill Cahill (7), Rory O’Brien (6); Tommy Blackmore (6), Jack Cahill (2-9, 1-6f, 7); Diarmuid Ryan (0-1, 7), Billy McGrath (0-1, 7), Lee Cleere (6); Ben Ivers (7), Simon Blackmore (0-2, 7), Tommy McGrath (6).

Subs: Adam O’Connell (6) for Cleere (HT); Shane Ryan (6) for S Blackmore (44 inj); Lee Cleere for O’Connell (53).

Referee: John McCormack (Knockavilla-D Kickhams).