Borris progress despite defeat to Moycarkey

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Group 3

Moycarkey/Borris 2-18

Borris-Ileigh 1-18

Report: James Hayden

at The Ragg

Moycarkey/Borris maintained their unbeaten run in the race for the Dan Breen Cup with a hard-earned victory over Borris-Ileigh in an absorbing encounter on Sunday afternoon.

In a dramatic conclusion to a genuine ‘group of death’, Moycarkey emerged as the only unbeaten side with three victories from three, while Borris-Ileigh, Loughmore/Castleiney, and Clonoulty/Rossmore all finished on two points, and with the scores against Moycarkey ruled out, Borris secured second place by virtue of a one point scoring difference over Loughmore who were one point superior than Clonoulty. It was a fitting conclusion to a group in which every score ultimately mattered.

Moycarkey made the brighter start, Stephen Walsh and David Costigan opening their account before Conor Kenny responded with a well-taken point for Borris-Ileigh.

Eddie Ryan, who would finish with a haul of 13 points (12 frees), converted his first free before levelling with a booming placed ball in the ninth minute. The Borris dangerman added two further frees but Moycarkey responded through Max Hackett and Kieran Morris to restore parity by the 19th minute.

Moycarkey were dealt a setback shortly after when captain Kieran Cummins was forced to leave the field following a robust challenge from Paddy McCormack in which he was issued with a yellow card.

Killian Cantwell subsequently restored Moycarkey's lead with a long-range free before the Mid side struck for their first goal; Rhys Shelly converting a 27th minute penalty after Max Hackett was hauled down by Patrick Ryan.

Borris managed to respond with a close-range free deep into added time, but Moycarkey delivered another blow with virtually the final puck of the half when Kieran Morris got the decisive touch to the net from a booming Shelly free.

Moycarkey's 2-6 to 0-6 interval advantage was deserved, although they could have been even further ahead had they converted more of their opportunities. Borris-Ileigh, meanwhile, had raised just one white flag between the 12th & 32nd minutes.

Paddy McCormack and Rory Darmody exchanged points after Shelly opened the second-half scoring with a magnificent 35th minute free.

Borris-Ileigh then produced their best spell of the game. Sean McCormack surged forward to fire over an excellent point before Eddie Ryan assumed responsibility from placed balls, converting three frees without reply to reduce the deficit to two by the 39th minute.

James Devaney, now operating further out the field, narrowed the gap with a sublime strike before Morris responded with a close-range free for Moycarkey. David Costigan registered his second point midway through the half, but Ryan and Cantwell traded placed balls as the contest entered a fascinating final quarter.

Borris-Ileigh desperately needed a goal and, in the 51st minute, they got one. Devaney produced a moment of real quality, unleashing a superb strike to the back of the net and suddenly the North champions were within a point, 1-14 to 2-13.

Joe Egan answered with a well-struck point in the 52nd minute before Devaney arrowed over his second point for the men in maroon. The intensity continued to rise as both sides traded scores at a rapid rate. Max Hackett and Shelly (free) restored Moycarkey's four-point advantage as the game entered its closing stages.

Borris-Ileigh refused to yield with Eddie Ryan converting two frees in the 55th minute to reduce the deficit to two once more. Moycarkey, however, continued to find answers. Costigan added another point before substitute Kevin O'Regan also found the target to restore the four-point cushion as the game moved into injury time.

Eddie Ryan converted another free deep but Borris needed a second major to snatch victory or force a draw but Moycarkey's defence held firm and the final whistle confirmed a hard-earned three-point victory.

It was a result that perfectly encapsulated Moycarkey-Borris' campaign to date: disciplined, resilient, and capable of finding scores at crucial moments. With three wins from three, they march into the quarter finals with considerable momentum and, having accounted for three divisional champions, they have every reason to believe they can go deep into the championship.

Borris-Ileigh, meanwhile, can take considerable encouragement from the manner of their second half recovery and will now have the opportunity to regroup ahead of the quarter finals. The return of Tom Delaney would provide a significant boost as they seek to address the shortcomings that cost them dearly in the opening half.

Player of the Match: Kieran Morris (Moycarkey/Borris).

Moycarkey/Borris: Rhys Shelly (1-2, (1-0 pen, 0-2f) 7); Kevin Hayes (7), Tom Hayes (7), Tom Ryan (7); Stephan Walsh (0-1, 7), Eoghan Hayes (7), Killian Cantwell (0-3, 2f, 1 ‘65) 7); Kieran Cummins (Capt, 6), Niall Heffernan (7); David Costigan (0-3, 8), Joe Egan (0-2, 7), Rory Darmody (0-1, 7); Max Hackett (0-2, 7), Joe Maher (7), Kieran Morris (1-3 (0-3f) 7).

Subs: Peter Melbourne (7) for Cummins (23 inj); Jack Hayes (7) for Darmody (41); Kevin O’Regan (0-1, 7) for Maher (51); Bill Flanagan (NR) for Hackett (57); Bill Maher (NR) for Walsh (60+2).

Borris-Ileigh: James McCormack (7); Patrick Ryan (7), Dan McCormack (Capt, 7), Colm Boyle (7); Sean McCormack (0-1, 7), Jerry Kelly (8), Liam Ryan (7); Cathal Hogan (7), Tommy Ryan (7); Jack Bevans (8), Eddie Ryan (0-13, 12f, 8), Paddy McCormack (0-1, 7); Kieran Maher (7), James Devaney (1-2, 8), Conor Kenny (0-1, 7).

Subs: Ray McCormack (6) for Hogan (40); Jack Hogan (6) for T Ryan (44); Kevin Maher (6) for L Ryan (51); Michael Ryan (NR) for Kieran Maher (57).

Referee: Shane O’Neill (St. Mary’s).