Concession of goals central to Borrisokane Football exit

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Premier Junior Football Championship Quarter Final

Moyle Rovers 3-7

Borrisokane 0-13

Report: Michael Dundon at St Michael Park, Holycross

Borrisokane’s bid for a place in the County Premier Junior Football semi-finals failed narrowly on Sunday where they had to give best to Moyle Rovers after a fine quarter final that could have gone either way.

Last years defeated finalists Borrisokane had as much of the play as their rivals but the big difference was that Rovers got three goals while the north lads failed to raise a green flag. This was decisive for while Borrisokane scored thirteen times to Rovers’ ten, goals win games and this was the case here.

Frailties in the Borrisokane defence were exposed as early as the seventh minute when Dominic Walsh was set up by Anthony Phelan for Moyle Rovers’ first goal.

Borrisokane did not panic and, with Gary Ryan leading the way in attack with three points, they were ahead 0-5 to 1-1 after twelve minutes.

Once again Borrisokane faltered, Jake Forrestal, operating in the front line of the attack for the Powerstown-Lisronagh-Monroe side, used his strength to make an opening for himself before shooting home their second goal to give them a lead (2-1 to 0-5) they never subsequently relinquished.

Forrestal added two further points for Moyle Rovers before half-time, Borris having points from Philip Austin, Conor Ryan and Josh Chadwick to trail 0-8 to 2-5 at the interval.

Borrisokane needed to tighten up in defence but were still very much in the game, Luke Gleeson sending over an early second half point to encourage them. However, their lines were again breached seven minutes into the second half when Aaron McAndrew, who had come on just before half time, set up Dee Foley for Moyle Rovers’ third goal and a 3-5 to 0-9 lead.

The north side looked in big trouble but they responded very well. Gary Ryan pointed twice and Mike Heenan was also on target as they closed in on their rivals once more.

Questions were being asked of Moyle Rovers but they rose to the challenge. Gary Ryan had a further point for Borrisokane after 55 minutes but Aaron McAndrew made it safe for Rovers, his late point bringing the curtain down on an exciting contest.

It was tough on Borrisokane. Had they got a goal at any stage, they might well have powered on for a spot in the semi-final, but they never really threatened to break the Rovers’ lines. Gary Ryan was their most influential player but Mike Heenan, Ciaran Foley, Conor Ryan, Kevin Cleary and Michael Kelly also had big games for them.

Moyle Rovers will look to the semi-finals with some confidence. Jake Forrestal was their big threat in attack but Brian Morrisson, Luke Delahunty, Anthony Phelan, Brian Hurley and Nathan Croke also put in big shifts.

TEAMS - Moyle Rovers: James O’Brien (6); Mark O’Meara (6), Anthony Phelan (7), Cian Flaherty (6); Sean Keating (6), Nathan Croke (7), Sean Hackett (6); Jake Forrestal (8), Luke Delahunty (7); Dominic Walsh (6), Cianan Power (6), Brian Morrisson (7); Thomas Hill (6), Dee Foley (6), Brian Hurley (7).

Subs: Aaron McAndrew (6) for Power (25); Jake Holohan (6) for Keating (45); Ronan Walsh (7) for Phelan (55).

Borrisokane: James Morris (6); Josh Chadwick (6), James Hough (6), Luke Gleeson (7); Kevin Cleary (6), Mike Heenan (7), Ciaran Foley (7); Philip Austin (6), Conor Ryan (6); Michael Kelly (6), Gary Ryan (7), Seosamh Cleary (6); James Aherne (6), Liam Cleary (6), Dylan Power (6).

Subs: Joe Murphy (6) for S Cleary (37); Denis Madden (6) for Kelly (42); Gordon Harding (6) for Power (47); Barry Ryan (6) for Aherne (53).

Referee: Seamus Delaney (JK Brackens).