Boroch brace brings glory for BT Harps

SOCCER: North Tipperary and District League - Ann Gimour Youth Cup Final

BT Harps 2

Arra Rovers 1

Reports: Gary Culbert in Ardcroney

A headed double from Domliolk Boroch, three minutes into and from the end of the game, were the difference as BT Harps capitalised on lapses in concentration by Arra Rovers in a very tight Ann Gilmour Youth Cup final on Saturday.

Supporters had barely settled into their viewing positions when Harps powered into the lead, as Boroch headed home a corner whipped in by Odhran Dalling. The number 9 met the ball perfectly at the front post and the was past the keeper before he knew it.

Having caught Arra cold, BT smelled blood and continued to apply pressure. They had a number of corners thereafter but were unable to further punish the sleepy start.

Arra were struggling to get out their own goal kicks but eventually came into the game through the strong running of tricky winger Charlie McKeown. It was a run from right to left by McKeown, who skipped through a number of tackles before releasing Luke Power for Arra’s first shot in anger after fifteen minutes.

BT’s Tom Collier began to shine in the middle of the park, as did big centre half Ryan Quill, whose physically dominant performance ensured Arra’s through-balls rarely found their target.

It is fair to say that both keepers had nervy moments in the windy conditions. Arra’s Robert Horan coughed up the next big chance after failing to claim when Tom Collier chipped one over the top for Boroch to hunt down.

Luke Power’s athleticism and ability to carry the ball in tight areas began to shine for Arra midway through the half, as the game turned into an end-to-end affair. Arra’s left back Michael Ryan, started to have an influence too, getting forward well.

This period in the ascendancy culminated in a massive chance for Keith O’Dwyer as he outpaced Ryan Quill for one of the only times in the game but Joe Johnston stood tall to keep the Harps lead intact.

The next goal came in the 35th minute following a sudden downpour of heavy rain. The Arra equaliser was a back-post finish by Keith O’Dwyer following a cross from the sideline, dug out by Luke Power. Both Joe Johnston and Oisin Brophy had opportunities to deal with the high ball, but O’Dwyer was the most alert in the area and reaped his rewards.

Arra were well in it now, with Ryan Quill having to stand up to be counted or the Portroe side would capitalise on their momentum.

Both Boroch and Ryan Loughnane had chances for Harps at the start of the second half, but neither could convert during the chaos in the box.

The middle period of the second half saw Arra come back into the game once more with Calebh Byrne coming agonisingly close to tapping in a cross at the back pos, and also being denied on two other occasions by standout performers Kailum O’Meara and Ryan Quill.

The game looked destined for extra time, but a bit of creativity from O’Meara, up from right back, provided the ammunition for Boroch to head in the winner.

Player of the Match: Kailum O’Meara (BT Harps)

BT Harps: Joe Johnston; Kailum O’Meara, Ryan Quill, Kyle Quinlan, Oisin Brophy; Jack Duggan, Odhran Dalling, Tom Collier, Finbarr Breathnach; Ryan Loughnane, Domliolk Boroch.

Subs: Jamie Dadié for Brophy (HT); Craig Fogarty for Duggan (70).

Arra Rovers: Robert Horan; Oilleog O’Driscoll, Mike Ryan, Aidan Kyne, James Dillon; Oisin O’Driscoll, Conor McKeown, Calebh Ryan, Keith O’Dwyer; Luke Power, Charlie Moran.

Sub: Odhran Ryan for O’Driscoll (88).

Referee: Thomas Murphy.