Borrisokane view ahead of North Intermediate Hurling Final

By Liam Hogan

Fifteen years ago, Borrisokane lost to Shannon Rovers in the North Intermediate Hurling final, and for manager John Egan it was not a memory fondly remembered.

His abiding memory was after the final whistle, visiting a dressing room mixed with joy and despair two weeks after the death of Shannon Rovers goalkeeper Mike Burke.

“It was one of the hardest thing I ever had to do. You could see that it was a tough year for Rovers, and you could see what it meant to them,” Egan recalls.

“It’s fifteen years since then and I think we met three or four times and Rovers have probably had the upper hand on us.

“Both teams have had impressive wins in the semi-finals and it should be a cracking game in the final.”

Borrisokane captain Philip Austin hopes to play in his seventh North Intermediate hurling final with the hope of winning his second championship medal with his only success in 2018 defeating two-time defending champions Ballinahinch.

His first North final was way back in 2004 as a nineteen-year-old, losing to Kiladangan in the final, followed by another runners-up experience to Silvermines in 2006, and to Shannon Rovers in 2010, before falling to Moneygall in 2021 and 2023.

The former Tipperary senior footballer and Munster Under 21 hurling medal winner in 2006 recalls fairly vividly the 2010 final.

“I remember distinctly they suffocated us all over the field,” he recalls.

“We just could not get any space. Couldn’t get a swing of a hurley. They were ruthless and for a finish they were way more physical and clinical and took their chances and deserved their north title.”

He added: “Rovers certainly have the upper-hand on us over the last few years in games that I have played against them. We might have got a league win here or there and we are defiantly underdogs going into the final.”

That final loss was bittersweet as Borrisokane bounced back to win the county title later in the year, recounting that, as well as the 2020 Munster senior football final win were his two favourite GAA memories. The county final win over Gortnahoe/Glengoole was sweet, a final that produced one of the best goals scored in any era and any grade, scored by Austin himself.

“I can remember the goal step by step,” he recalls.

“It was a football orientated goal. Just give and go. I was telling people afterwards we would probably never score the goal but for playing football. Just kept running and the ball finished up in my hand and the rest is history.

The last word goes to John Egan and how his team has prepared for this final under their new coach, former Tipperary All-Ireland winner Niall O’Meara.

“Niall has been a breath of fresh air,” he said of the Kilruane clubman.

“You can imagine a fellow of his stature and what he has won in the game and our lads are very impressed by his coaching. He is very much hands on.

“I know his number one preference is hurling with Kilruane, but whatever spare time he has he gives it and with days leading up to the final his experience is absolutely valuable.”