Impressive Borris-Ileigh hand Loughmore another loss

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Group 2

Borris-Ileigh 3-21

Loughmore/Castleiney 1-24

Report: James Hayden at The Ragg

North champions Borris-Ileigh laid down a significant marker in the race for the Dan Breen Cup with an impressive victory over reigning county champions Loughmore-Castleiney on Saturday afternoon.

Both sides served up a pulsating contest which ebbed and flowed throughout. Loughmore were arguably the stronger side for much of the opening half, but despite enjoying the benefit of a decent breeze, they allowed Borris-Ileigh to make the early running.

Three points from the in-form Eddie Ryan saw David O’Connor’s side lead 0-3 to 0-1 after just five minutes. John McGrath had opened the scoring for the Mid champions with a third-minute free before Tommy Maher arrowed over to reduce the deficit.

Scores continued to flow with Ryan and McGrath exchanging frees before Loughmore hit a purple patch midway through the half. A quick-fire brace from Liam McGrath and John McGrath brought the sides level at 0-5 apiece.

Loughmore then began to exert greater control, launching a series of incisive attacks. McGrath, from a free, and John Meagher both found the target to edge Eamon Kelly’s side two points clear.

Borris-Ileigh, however, were threatening at the other end and almost struck for a crucial goal in the 18th minute when James Devaney and Kevin Maher combined to create an opening, only for Loughmore goalkeeper Aidan McGrath to produce an excellent save. Eddie Ryan converted the resulting 65, but Loughmore responded in style.

Ciaran McCormack floated over a superb 23rd minute sideline cut before John McGrath tapped over a close-range free after Ed Connolly’s low drive had been well saved by goalkeeper James McCormack.

McGrath extended the Loughmore advantage in the 26th minute with another placed ball, but Borris remained in contention thanks to a fine effort from Conor Kenny, who angled over from the sideline.

Loughmore finished the half strongly with substitute Philip O’Connell, Ciaran McCormack, and corner-back Eoin O’Connell all finding the target as the reigning champions went into the dressing room with a deserved 0-13 to 0-9 lead.

Borris-Ileigh emerged from the interval with renewed purpose and produced a whirlwind opening to the second half which completely altered the complexion of the contest. Four points in succession from Ryan, Paddy McCormack (2), and Jack Bevans brought the sides level by the 36th minute.

John McGrath steadied Loughmore with a 41st minute free, but Borris-Ileigh had taken control and were now playing with increasing confidence and purpose. Eddie Ryan restored Borris’s lead from a 65 before McGrath responded from another free.

Two further points from the talismanic Ryan – the second following a well-worked move involving Cathal Hogan and Conor Kenny – moved Borris into a 0-16 to 0-14 lead.

Then came the game’s first major breakthrough. In the 50th minute, Kieran Maher was brought down by Lorcan Egan as he bore down on goal and Eddie Ryan confidently converted the penalty to fire Borris-Ileigh into a 1-19 to 0-17 lead.

However, Loughmore’s response was immediate. Three points in succession from John McGrath (2) and Liam McGrath briefly threatened to swing the momentum back in favour of the champions.

Borris-Ileigh, however, responded in devastating fashion. Paddy McCormack rifled the ball to the back of the net in the 55th minute to put the North champions firmly in command.

Yet Loughmore refused to surrender. The Borris faithful had barely finished celebrating when Tomas McGrath found the net, setting up a grandstand finish.

Jack Bevans then cut a swathe through the Loughmore cover before finishing with aplomb to restore Borris-Ileigh’s six-point advantage in the 56th minute.

Loughmore are well versed in producing late comebacks and once again they set about whittling down the deficit. A fine brace from Eoin O’Connell, followed by a point from Ciaran McCormack, reduced the margin before Ciaran Connolly pointed in injury time to leave just two between the sides.

With the clock ticking into the closing stages, Loughmore threw everything into their search for a late, last-gasp goal. Borris-Ileigh, though, showed tremendous composure under pressure. Their defence stood firm and they mounted an impressive rearguard action during the dying moments to ensure that they secured a hugely significant second-round victory.

Eddie Ryan was the outstanding performer for Borris-Ileigh, finishing with a remarkable 1-16 and proving a constant thorn in the Loughmore defence. Dan McCormack, Patrick Ryan, Jack Bevans, Cathal Hogan, Jerry Kelly, Paddy McCormack, Liam Ryan and James Devaney also played major roles in a memorable performance.

For Loughmore/Castleiney, Eoin O’Connell, Ciaran McCormack, Liam McGrath, John McGrath, Brian McGrath, Philip O’Connell and John Meagher were among those to impress despite their side ultimately coming up short.

Before throw-in, a minute’s silence was impeccably observed in memory of Borris-Ileigh club stalwart Donal Ryan, who passed away suddenly on Wednesday of last week. Donal served as club secretary in 2021 before becoming chairman from 2022 to 2024. He was also the current Borris-Ileigh U16 hurling manager at the time of his untimely passing.

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

Borris-Ileigh: James McCormack (7); Patrick Ryan (7), Dan McCormack (8), Colm Boyle (7); Liam Ryan (7), Jerry Kelly (8), Sean McCormack (7); Cathal Hogan (7), Tommy Ryan (7); Jack Bevans (1-1, 7), Eddie Ryan 1-16 (0-11f, 0-2 ‘65s, 1-0 pen) 8), Paddy McCormack 1-2 (0-1 s-cut, 8); Kevin Maher (6), James Devaney (0-1, 7), Conor Kenny (0-1, 7).

Subs: Ray McCormack (7) for K Maher (HT); Kieran Maher (6) for Hogan (49); Jack Hogan (NR) for T Ryan (60+2); Michael Ryan (NR) for Kenny (60+3).

Loughmore/Castleiney: Aidan McGrath (7); Lorcan Egan (7), Willie Eviston (7), Eoin O’Connell (0-3, 8); Tommy Maher (0-1, 7), Brian McGrath (7), John Meagher (0-1, 7); Noel McGrath (7), Joey Quinn (6), Ciaran McCormack (0-3, 1 s-cut, 7), Tomas McGrath (1-0, 7), Ciaran McGrath (7); Liam McGrath (0-2, 7), John McGrath (0-11, 9f, 7), Ed Connolly (0-1, 6).

Subs: Philip O’Connell (0-1, 7) for Quinn (48); Ciaran Connolly (0-1, 7) for E O’Connell (48); John Ryan (NR) for Meagher (56).

Referee: Ciaran O’Donovan (Burgess).