Borris-Ileigh edge cracker against north rivals Burgess Duharra

FBD Insurance Senior Camogie Championship Quarter-Final

Borris-Ileigh 1-13

Burgess Duharra 0-14

Borris-Ileigh are through to this Sunday’s FBD Insurance Senior semi-final after a two-point victory over Burgess Duharra. The huge crowd that gathered in Borrisoleigh witnessed an enthralling battle between two determined teams.

The game went right down to the wire with extra time looking like a real possibility as Jenny Grace fired over a 61st-minute free to tie the game 1-11 to 0-14. But there was time for more drama and when a Borris-ileigh free was bought forward for dissent the classy Nicole Walsh made no mistake in putting Borris into the lead.

Immediately, Duharra went on the attack and a great ball in by Caoimhe Maher fell to her sister Ciardha who was playing her first game in five weeks after a serious shoulder injury.

She came storming through like a train but fired her shot narrowly wide. Moments later Teresa Ryan who had grown more into the game as it progressed was on the attack for Borris-Ileigh and won herself a free which Nicole pointed to put two between the sides deep in injury time.

Burgess were to get one more opportunity and landed a long-range free into the danger zone. Borris defended gallantly and cleared their lines as TP O’Sullivan sounded the full-time whistle to the delight of the home crowd.

Borris-Ileigh got off to a dream start when Aoife Ryan who was a handful all night made a great run at pace towards the Burgess Duharra goals and finished with a goal after four minutes to add to Nicole Walsh’s first-minute pointed free.
Before Aoife’s goal, Burgess missed a goal chance of their own one of probably four or five good goal chances that went begging throughout the hour.

This will be their biggest regret especially when they had the aid of a strong wind in the opening half they only went in at the break one point up 0-9 to 1-5.

In reality, they should have executed some of their goal opportunities but credit must also go to Kellie Healy in the Borris goal who was brilliant and pulled off some superb point-blank saves. The first half was played at a great tempo with the Monday night under lights factor adding to the drama and excitement.

Jenny Grace and Nicole Walsh traded points from play and frees while Caoimhe and Ciardha Maher also pointed in an entertaining opening 20 minutes. Borris led 1-5 to 0-7 approaching half-time before two in a row from Jenny Grace gave them the slightest lead at the break 1-5 to 0-9.

Burgess Duharra had extended their lead to 3 by the 35th minute with a Jenny Grace free and an excellent point from the wing by Kaithlin O’Halloran. But the Borris-Ileigh response was excellent with five unanswered points in a five-minute spell as they began to get on top in most areas of the field.

Again, Nicole Walsh‘s free-taking was crucial as she nailed four frees while Ava Bevans also pointed to make it 1-10 to 0-11 as the game looked to be slipping away from the visitors. But Burgess were never going to lie down and with Jenny Grace excellent in the middle of the field from general play along with another two pointed frees she soon had the gap back to one.

Another Walsh free was cancelled out by Jenny in the 61st minute to level the game at 1-11 to 0-14.
Two more frees by Nicole brought her personal tally to 11 points and completed the scoring as Borris recorded a famous 1-13 to 0-14 victory.

Borris-Ileigh: Kellie Healy; Emma Galvin, Avril Ryan, Niamh McGrath; Julieanne Bourke, Teresa Ryan, Danielle Ryan; Noirin Stapleton, Aoife Fitzgerald; Nicole Walsh (0-11, 0-9f), Ava Bevans (0-1); Therese Groome, Aoife Ryan (1-1), Emma Maher.

Subs used: Katie Fitzgerald for Emma Galvin (inj); Moira Maher for Noirin Stapleton; Jane Delaney for Emma Maher.

Burgess Duharra: Ciara Holohan; Grace O’Dwyer, Fiona Kirwan, Iris Grace; Gemma Grace, Aisling Cremin, Katie Grace; Jenny Grace (0-10, 0-6f, 0-1 45m), Katie O’Flaherty; Kaitlin O’Halloran (0-1), Caoimhe Maher, Caoilfhionn Maher; Laura Reid, Amy Kennedy, Ciardha Maher (0-3).

Subs used: Ella Slattery for Caoilfhion Maher; Roisin Duffy for Laura Reid.

Referee: TP O’Sullivan (Nenagh Éire Óg)