Borrisokane advance past Kilsheelan after eight-goal thriller

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter Final

Borrisokane 4-22

Kilsheelan/Kilcash 4-20

Report: James Hayden at Páirc Shíleáin, Templemore

Borrisokane staved off a late Kilsheelan-Kilcash rally to progress to the County Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-finals following an eight-goal thriller on Sunday.

The North runners-up were pushed to the pin of the collar by a determined Kilsheelan side who refused to throw in the towel at any stage.

Despite trailing by four points, five minutes into injury time, the men from the South snatched a 66th minute goal after Micheal Freaney netted from close-range to leave just a point between the sides.

Kilsheelan did their utmost to force extra-time in the dying moments, but it was Borrisokane who secured the all-important free with Gary Ryan stepping up to bisect the upright from all of 50 metres to ensure a dramatic win for the men in green & white.

Playing with a slight breeze at their backs, the men from Lower Ormond were quick to settle and raced into an early advantage thanks to a cracking Jack Larkin goal after just four minutes.

Points from the influential midfielder Tommy O’Connor and wing-forward Mark Stokes brought Kilsheelan back to within a point before a Borris’ brace from Mike Kelly and Jack Larkin saw them lead by three mid-way through the half.

Kilsheelan hit back with a well-taken Senan Butler goal to level proceedings at 1-5 apiece at the start of the second quarter, and for the next fifteen minutes there was little to separate the sides, drawing level on no less than four occasions with Oisin Larkin, Jack Larkin (2), Mike Heenan on target for Borrisokane while Micheál Freaney, Tommy O’Connor (2) and Mark Stokes ensured Keith O’Brien’s charges maintained pace with the North outfit.

Borrisokane struck for another goal just before the break when what could have been a goal at one end for Kilsheelan after Senan Butler scooped over from close-range with the goal at his mercy. From the resulting puck-out, Ciaran Foley seized on the breaking ball before rifling past Michael Bates in the Kilsheelan goal, 2-9 to 1-9.

Kilsheelan responded with the last score of the half thanks to a sublimely flighted Tommy O’Connor point, but it was Borrisokane who took a slender two-point lead to the dressing rooms, 2-9 to 1-10.

Borrisokane extended their advantage upon the resumption with Ciaran Foley on target from close range before Mark Stokes and Micheál Freaney responded for the men in blue & gold. Gary Ryan arrowed over a well-crafted effort in reply before Borrisokane struck for their third goal, a cracking Mike Heenan goal on 35 minutes.

Kilsheelan refused to buckle though and kept in touch with successive Tommy O’Connor frees but Oisin Larkin and Jack Larkin ensured they kept the scoreboard ticking for Borris’.

Wing-back, Peter Collins put his body on the line to deny Senan Butler a second Kilsheelan goal in the 42nd minute before Mark Stokes arrowed over a sublimely struck effort to cut the deficit to just two points as the mid-way mark in the half approached.

Kilsheelan were beginning to threaten Borrisokane’s goal at will and it came as no surprise when interval substitute, Martin Gibbs finished off an incisive 45th minute move involving Micheál Freaney and Mark Stokes to propel them into a one-point lead, 3-13 to 2-17.

Borris’ responded with a Gary Ryan 65’ and regained the lead thanks to a Mike Heenan point before Kian Quinn edged Kilsheelan back in front again with a 49th minute strike.

Three minutes later, Borrisokane struck for their fourth goal with Gary Ryan providing Mike Heenan with the opportunity to rattle the Kilsheelan net once more, 4-16 to 2-18.

Gary Ryan, who had taken over the free-taking duties from Oisin Larkin, arrowed over a 65’ on 53 minutes before Larkin cancelled out a Micheal Freaney effort with a sublime point from play.

The drama was only beginning as Senan Butler struck for Kilsheelan’s third goal on 56 minutes. Jack Larkin bisected the uprights again before Martin Gibbs and Gary Ryan exchanged points to leave three between the sides as the tie whirled towards time added on.

Kilsheelan piled on the pressure in over six minutes of injury time but despite a late Micheál Freaney goal they were unable to bridge the gap and Borrisokane held on for a hard-earned and hard-fought victory in what proved a thoroughly thrilling encounter, setting up a semi-final with Knockavilla-Donaskeigh Kickhams.

Impressive for Borrisokane were Shane Nevin, James Hough, Mike Heenan, Jack Larkin, Oisin Larkin, Gary Ryan and Ciaran Foley while Micheál Freaney, Senan Butler, Mark Stokes, Tommy O’Connor and Martin Gibbs caught the eye for Kilsheelan-Kilcash.

Player of the Match: Jack Larkin (Borrisokane)

Borrisokane: Luke Gleeson (7); Luke Quigley (7), Shane Nevin (8), James Hough (7); Brian Davis (7), Conor Ryan (7), Peter Collins (7); Liam Cleary (0-1, 7), Mike Kelly (0-1, 7); Philip Austin (7), Mike Heenan (2-2, 8), Jack Larkin (1-7, 8); Oisin Larkin (0-4, 1f, 7), Gary Ryan (0-5, 2 65’s, 1f), 8), Ciaran Foley (1-2, 7).

Subs: Kevin Cleary (6) for Collins (57); Daire Madden (NR) for Austin (60+2).

Kilsheelan/Kilcash: Michael Bates (7); Daire Brennan (7), Eoin Kehoe (7), Sean Ryan (7); Jason Madigan (7), Emmet Butler (7), Billy O’Connor (7); Kian Quinn (0-1, 7), Tommy O’Connor (0-7, 4f, 8); Senan Butler (2-3, 8), Micheál Freaney (1-4, 8), Mark Stokes (0-4, 8); Mikey McGuire (6), Jamie Roche (6), Barry Kehoe (7).

Subs: Martin Gibbs (1-1, 0-1f, 7) for McGuire (HT); Rú Kelly (6) for Roche (50).

Referee: John Butler (Upperchurch/Drombane).