Borrisokane complete double in dramatic fashion

SOCCER: North Tipperary & District League Youths Cup Final

Borrisokane 3

Holycross 1

(After Extra Time)

Report & Photos: Gary Culbert

at Michael Fennell Park, Templemore

Extra time was required for Borrisokane to maintain their 100% record in the 2025/26 youths season, completing a league and cup double at the expense of Holycross in the final.

The divisional difference between these two teams was not apparent for large parts, with Holycross upping their game on Cup final day to force extra time.

The sun was shining on the immaculate grass surface at Michael Fennell Park on Saturday afternoon as premier division winners Borrisokane, met first division runners-up Holycross.

There was nothing between the sides for the majority of the game, but the pace of Borrisokane’s striker, Jack Slevin, was a constant threat that kept Holycross honest throughout.

Slevin opened the scoring against the run of play on eighteen minutes, latching onto a ball over the top from Donal Cleary before finishing with a venomous volley. Both Mark Slevin and Darragh O’Brien made strong defensive clearances in the build-up to the breakaway goal for Michael O’Brien’s side.

Edwin Babu and Lewie Cavanagh impressed on either wing for Holycross, with the latter having their best chance five minutes after going behind; Cavanagh cutting inside well on his right foot before firing just over.

Holycross skipper Emmet Ryan made vital interceptions throughout to keep the impressive Donal Cleary at bay, while at the other end, Joe Murphy had to clear an Oisin Joyce header from a corner off the line.

Jack Slevin was a constant thorn in Holycross’ side. It was the lone striker’s hassling which earnt Borris a corner on the stroke of half time from which Darragh O'Brien hit the post with a curling effort from the corner of the box.

The telling moment of the match was the introduction of Charlie Cavanagh from the Holycross bench. The compact stature of the 16-year-old would leave you thinking he might get pushed around as a lone striker, but in soccer it isn’t about the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog, and Cavanagh has a hell of a lot of fight in him.

The youngster dragged Holycross up the pitch with clever hold-up play, and when the time came to be composed, he cooly finished to the net on seventy minutes when he was played in by Sean Butler at the back post.

Holycross’ tails were up now, but the water break came at probably the worst possible time for their momentum, resulting in a stalemate for the remainder of the half, meaning extra time would be required.

Donal Cleary almost capped off his impressive performance with a goal, but his powerful effort from the right wing struck the crossbar.

However, it was to be a Borrisokane replacement who would claim glory as David Flannery pulled on a loose ball following a corner and saw his shot from a tight angle go across goal and find the net through a crowd of bodies.

Like many cup finals, a set-piece goal decided the outcome. In the final minute, Borrisokane’s skilful skipper Ryan Donnelly, used all his remaining energy to run the length of the pitch with his sights set on the empty goal vacated by the Holycross keeper who were pushing for the equaliser. Donnelly was caught by the keeper while baring down on goal, but not to worry as Jack Slevin arrived from nowhere to end his season with one last goal to leave him top scorer in youth football.

Having won every game this season on the way to completing an historic double, Borrisokane manager Michael O’Brien will ride off into the sunset now after eight years in charge of the group. His son, Darragh, played a vital role in the team’s defence throughout the season, and is one of seven players overage for next season.

The Holycross management duo of Declan Bourke & Christian Ely are also hanging up the boots after five years in charge. They too have seven of the starting team making the move up to junior football next season.

Player of the Match: Jack Slevin (Borrisokane)

Borrisokane: Alan Reid; Darragh O’Brien, Adam Guest, Luke Morgan, Joe Murphy; Rory Fox, Ryan Donnelly (Capt), Emmet Dwyer, Donal Cleary, Mark Slevin; Jack Slevin.

Subs: David Flannery for M Slevin (69); Adam Molloy for Dwyer (85)

Holycross: Jamesie Gildea; Cathal Kehoe, Oisin Joyce, Emmet Ryan (Capt), Jack O’Gara; Edwin Babu, Tadgh Bourke, Sean Butler, Lewie Cavanagh; TJ Ryan, Cormac Walsh.

Subs: Charlie Cavanagh for Walsh (45); Paudie O’Reilly for Butler (80).

Referee: Robbie Nevin.