Borris-Ileigh crowned league champions after replay victory over Holycross Ballycahill

Borris-Ileigh 2-8
Burgess Duharra 0-9

A large crowd filled the stand in the County Camogie Grounds on Sunday morning for the senior league final between Burgess Duharra and Borris-Ileigh.

At the final whistle it was the girls in maroon that were celebrating a five point victory. A great achievement for the Sean Maher managed side having just won the intermediate county final in style last year.

Unbeaten coming into the final the Borris girls trailed by three points and more worryingly had yet to score after 18 minutes of action. Two Jenny Grace frees either side of a lovely Katie Grace point from way out on the wing had Burgess Duharra in a commanding position after a low scoring opening quarter.

A Nicole Walsh free in the 19th minute settled the young Borris-Ileigh team. She doubled her tally with a second free three minutes later before Aoife Fitzgerald got Borris’s first score from play with a well taken point on the move.

This tied the game on three points each as half time approached. Borris-Ileigh were enjoying a very good spell with Noirin Stapleton and Dani Ryan excellent in midfield while Nicole Walsh was working very hard and getting on to a lot of possession on the half forward line.

On the 30th minute a free from distance by Walsh dropped into the danger area and was pounced on by the lively Ava Bevans and finished to the back of the net to swing the lead in Borris-Ileigh’s favour at half time 1-3 to 0-3. The second half began with a well taken score from Dani Ryan.

Jenny Grace showed her free taking skills once again with a point in the 32nd minute. This was cancelled out by a Nicole Walsh free. With only six minutes gone in the second half Borris-Ileigh had their second goal of the game when a Nicole Walsh free from distance floated all the way to the back of the net to put her side into a strong position 2-5 to 0-4 in front.

Burgess Duahrra needed to find scores but their forwards struggled up front with Avril Ryan, Emma Kelly, Niamh McGrath and Jane Delaney all in flying form for the opposition. Burgess Duharra though continued to work hard and Grace again fired over 2 frees to keep them in touch.

The second half continued to improve as a contest with the crowd treated to some fine scores. Two from Aoife Ryan and Aedin Hogan made it 2-7 to 0-6 in the 51st minute and Borris looked to be on their way to victory.

Burgess Duharra refused to go down without a fight and some good clearances by Aisling Cremin at centre back galvanised the side and they had the next three points in succession from Jenny Grace (2 frees) and Kaitlin O’Halloran.

Aedin Hogan finished the scoring for Borris with a simple tap over free in the 62nd minute. While at the other end Danielle Nealon got onto a lobbed in free and had a great strike on goal that was blocked by one of the many Borris’s players back defending in their own half. The clearance singled the end of the game and it was Borris-Ileigh who were celebrating a great start to the year.

Borris-Ileigh: Kellie Healy; Tara Kennedy, Niamh McGrath, Jane Delaney; Emma Delaney, Emma Kelly, Avril Ryan; Noirin Stapleton, Dani Ryan (0-1); Aoife Fitzgerald (0-1), Aoife Ryan (0-1), Aedin Hogan (0-2, 0-1f); Ava Bevans (1-0), Emma Maher, Nicole Walsh (1-3, 1-2f).

Burgess Duharra: Ciara Holohan; Iris Grace, Fiona Kirwan, Ella Slattery; Katie O’Flaherty, Aisling Cremin, Laura Kennedy; Jenny Grace (0-7f), Katie Grace (0-1); Aisling Kennedy, Amy Kennedy, Kaitlin O’Halloran (0-1); Caoilfhionn Maher, Gemma Grace, Fiona McGauley.

Subs: Danielle Nealon for Caoilfhionn Maher; Laura Reid for Fiona McGauley; Grace O’Dwyer for Aisling Kennedy.

Referee: Joe Kearney