Ballingarry hand more semi-final heartache on Borrisokane

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Ballingarry 0-17

Borrisokane 0-16

Report: Liam Hogan at The Ragg

Borrisokane’s improved second half display was not enough as Ballingarry marched on to the final following an enjoyable County Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-final on Sunday afternoon.

That second half performance was almost the complete opposite to the first where they played second fiddle to a Ballingarry team who led 0-11 to 0-4 at the break. The concession of frees was the issue as Ballingarry could rely on Dylan Walsh who, as usual, proved to be the main marksman as he scored eight points, including three from play. Nobody could keep tabs on the former Tipp Under 21 All-Ireland medal winner.

Borrisokane could have been further in arrears but for an excellent display of goalkeeping by Luke Gleeson as he produced a number of saves, especially in the second half. This was despite Borrisokane begainningwell and were two points in front by the fourth minutes thanks Philip Austin and Liam Cleary.

Ballingarry’s first attack a minute later saw Michael Ivors force Gleeson to save before Dylan Walsh had their first score with a free in the sixth minute. From the restart, Walsh levelled and from that moment on the game become one-way traffic in terms of Ballingarry’s ability to score and they almost had a goal in the ninth minute when Tommy McGrath had his shot saved for a 65 which Walsh converted.

Helped by the excellent work-rate of Simon Blackmore and Ger Fennelly, Ballingarry continued to hold sway and were seven clear by the 21st minute as Walsh added another four points, including two from play, while the ever present Tommy McGrath and Ben Ivers added a point each.

Borrisokane had their chances but shooting from far out didn’t work as the stiff breeze challenged them and kept their scoring to a minimum but in the 22nd minute ended an eighteen minute drought through Ciaran Foley.

However, Ballingarry hit back with two points, the first an excellent point by Jack Cahill from the wing with Dylan Walsh grabbing another free.

It was all Ballingarry but Borrisokane closed the half with Diarmuid Hogan stepping up-field to score with Ballingarry leading 0-11 to 0-4.

The second half was 24 seconds old when Ballingarry raided the Borris goal once more but Diarmuid Ryan was denied by Luke Gleeson again at the expense of a 65 which surprisingly Dylan Walsh didn’t convert.

Meanwhile, Borrisokane got over the possible set-back with Oisin Larkin scoring a great point but the recovery was short-lived as Dylan Walsh scoring an equally good point before Tommy McGrath added another thirty seconds later.

Slowly but surely the Borrisokane graph was rising gradually. Oisin Larkin’s free kept the scoreline interesting but the margin was out to eight in the 39th minute after Dylan Walsh added another free after the ever present Tommy McGrath was fouled.

Another Larkin free followed but Ballingarry responded again with Adrian Cleere’s attempt at goal bringing another save from Gleeson.

It was end to end now as Borrisokane hit back with four unanswered points with Oisin Larkin firing over three frees with Michael Heenan adding one from play. Heenan had been very busy as his role of sweeper which enabled him to make many clearances while Jack Larkin and Conor Ryan were also busy.

With rain beginning to fall for a short period, the game was reaching a critical juncture as Dylan Walsh (free) and Conor Ryan traded scores before Diarmuid Ryan gave Ballingarry a four-point lead in the 55th minute.

Yet, Borrisokane continued to believe and Oisin Larkin added another score quickly followed by one from Donal Cleary. Two points separated the teams.

Realising they were in a sort of trouble, Ballingarry hit back and a move involving Thomas Walton, Dylan Walsh and Ben Ivers put Adrian Cleere close on goal but the ball deflected off a Borrisokane defence out for a 65 which Dylan Walsh converted.

It was Ballingarry’s last score and with two minutes on the clock, Borrisokane rallied one more time with Oisin Larkin scoring a 65. The resulting puckout intended for the midfield area was intercepted by Michael Kelly before he bisected the goalposts to leave the margin at one point.

Another two minutes of action followed as Borrisokane rallied for an equaliser but the Ballingarry defence held firm and with it secured a place in the county final.

TEAMS - Ballingarry: Paidi Maher (7); Ger Ryan (7), Simon Blackmore (8), Paul Butler (7); Patrick Ivors (7), Thomas Walton (7), James Burns (7); Thomas Walton (7), Billy McGrath (7); Jack Cahill (7), Michael Ivors (6), Dylan Walsh (8); Ben Ivers (6), Tommy McGrath (7), Diarmuid Ryan (6).

Subs: Conor Vaughan for Cahill (10-13 blood); Adrian Cleere (7) for M Ivors (40); Eoghan Pollard (6) for McGrath (45).

Borrisokane: Luke Gleeson (8); Joseph Murphy (7), Conor Ryan (7), James Hough (7); Diarmuid Hogan (6), Jack Larkin (7), Michael Heenan (8); Dylan Power (6), Conal Larkin (6); Oisin Larkin (8), Liam Cleary (6), Gary Ryan (6); Donal Cleary (6), Philip Austin (7), Ciaran Foley (6).

Subs: Michael Kelly (6) for Power (40); Seosamh Cleary (6) for Foley (55).

Referee: Shane O’Neill (St Mary’s).