Goals inspire Borris-Ileigh to Junior League title

GAA: North Tipperary Junior ‘A’ Hurling League Final

Borris-Ileigh 3-15

Toomevara 0-23

Report James Hayden in Templederry

A last-gasp David O’Connor point saw Borris-Ileigh clinch the Denis Carroll Memorial Cup following an absorbing North Tipperary Junior ‘A’ Hurling League final on Friday.

The old adage that 'goals win games' rang true though in this encounter and two first-half goals from gamekeeper turned poacher, Thomas Fahy proved hugely influential in the grand scheme of things. Usually more at home in the inside-back line Fahy switched to full-forward and caused Toome’s inside back line considerable trouble throughout.

Under the stewardship of manager Mike Murphy, selector Joe McCarthy and coach Bertie Sherlock, Toomevara were well-primed for this decider following an impressive group campaign. However, they had a number of injury concerns going into the final with Conor O’Farrell, Conor Delaney and Conor O’Meara all carrying knocks.

Despite playing with a strong breeze, Borris-Ileigh were met with considerable Toomevara resistance in the opening half. Early points from Shane Kenny and Jody Harkin (free) got the ball rolling for Diarmuid Kinnane’s charges before points from Bill O’Connell and Adam Galvin edged Borris’ two clear after eight minutes.

Toome’ fought their way back and drew level by the midway through the half thanks to the accuracy of their influential full-forward Shane Nolan. The sides were level on two further occasions as Toomevara’s defence held steadfast against Borris-Ileigh’s forays. A well-struck Jim Duignan point edged the ‘Greyhounds’ in front on 25 minutes before Thomas Fahy netted with a first-time pull after his initial effort was hooked, 1-8 to 0-9.

With just three minutes remaining to the break the goal couldn’t have come at a better time for the men in maroon. Jack Ryan responded for Toome’ with a fine point but on 29 minutes Fahy again broke through the Toome’s cover for his second major of the half.

Borris-Ileigh led 2-8 to 0-10 at the break but with a worrying ten wides the general consensus was that wind-assisted Toome’ would quickly wipe out Borris-Ileigh’s four-point advantage.

Within five minutes of the re-start Toomevara had cut the deficit to just a point following efforts from Shane Nolan, David Nolan, and Michael Delaney. Jody Harkin responded with a 36th minute free for Borris’ before Shane Nolan and Jack Fitzgerald traded points. Three points on the bounce from Darren Delaney, Shane Nolan (one from a free and one from play) saw Toomevara seize the initiative before a Shane Nolan pointed free fired Toome’ two clear mid-way through the half.

Both sides battled heroically in the final quarter and with six minutes remaining Toome’ still had breathing space before Borris-Ileigh found the net once more though in the 55th minute with Danny Ryan capitalising on a long clearance out of defence and firing past the advancing Robert Delaney in the Toome’ goal.

With just one point between the sides Shane Nolan stepped up again with an excellently struck 59th minute free to restore parity, 3-12 to 0-21. Borris-Ileigh had just introduced David O’Connor though and his first action was to fire over a cracking point from range right on sixty minutes.

Toome’ raided once more and from a resultant 65’ Shane Nolan bisected the uprights. Jody Harkin and Shane Nolan traded pointed frees deep in time added on before a sublime 64th minute David O’Connor point snatched victory right at the death.

Toomevara may have lost by the slenderest of margins, but they had fine performances from Shane Nolan, David Nolan, Jack Ryan, Niall O’Farrell, and Sean Flaherty. For Borris-Ileigh Thomas Fahy, Bill O’Connell, Shane Kenny, Jody Harkin, Jack Fitzgerald, Shane McCormack, and David O’Connor all impressed.

Man of the Match: Thomas Fahy (Borris-Ileigh)

Borris-Ileigh: Cathal Bourke (7), Johnny McGrath (7), Matthew Stapleton (7), Damien Dunne (7); Michael Kennedy (7), Paddy Stapleton (8), Colm Boyle (7); Bill O’Connell (0-1, 8), Shane McCormack (Capt 7), Jody Harkin (0-5, 4f) 8), Shane Kenny (0-2, 7), Danny Ryan (1-0, 7); Adam Galvin (0-1, 7), Thomas Fahy (2-1, 8), Jack Fitzgerald (0-3, 7).

Subs: David O’Connor (0-2, 7) for Galvin (54); Cathal Hogan (NR) for Dunne (57).

Toomevara: Robert Delaney (7); Darragh Spillane (7), Seamus O’Farrell (7), Cathal Kennedy (7); Daniel Farrell (7), Niall O’Farrell (7), Jack Ryan (0-1, 8); Darren Delaney (0-1, 7), Ciaran Grace (7); Michael Delaney (0-1, 7), Jim Duignan (0-1, 7), Sean Flaherty (0-1, 8); Adam Hall (0-1, 7), Shane Nolan (0-13, 10f, 1 65) 8), David Nolan (0-4, 8).

Subs: Colin Hall (7) for Grace (41); Conor O’Farrell (6) for D Delaney (48); Jim Shanahan (6) for M Delaney (48); James Maher (NR) for D Nolan (60+2).

Referee: Conor Doyle (Silvermines).