Ballingarry hold off Borrisokane fightback to book Intermediate Hurling Final place

FBD Insurance County Intermediate Hurling Semi-Final

Ballingarry 0-17

Borrisokane 0-16

Borrisokane’s second-half display was not enough as Ballingarry marched on to the final following an enjoyable FBD Insurance County Intermediate Hurling semi-final played at The Ragg last Sunday afternoon.

That second-half display was almost the opposite to what they did in the first half, as they played second fiddle to a Ballingarry team who led 0-11 to 0-4 at half-time. The concession of frees was a problem as Ballingarry could rely on Dylan Walsh, who, as usual, proved to be the main marksman as he scored 0-12, including four from play. Nobody could keep tabs on the former Tipp minor and Under-21 All-Ireland medal winner.

Then, on the other hand, many would say that Borrisokane could have been further in arrears but for an excellent display of goalkeeping by Luke Gleeson, as the Borris keeper produced a number of saves, especially in the second half. His saves were not enough to carry out victory.

Borrisokane began well and were two points in front by the fourth minute thanks to scores by Philip Austin and Liam Cleary. Ballingarry’s first attack a minute later saw Michael Ivors force Luke Gleeson to save before Dylan Walsh had Ballingarry’s first score with a free in the sixth.

From the restart, Dylan Walsh levelled and from that moment the game became one-way traffic in terms of Ballingarry’s ability to score, and they almost had a goal in the ninth minute when Tommy McGrath had his shot for goal saved for a sixty-five, which Walsh converted.

Helped by the excellent work rate of Simon Blackmore and Ger Fennelly, Ballingarry continued to hold sway and were seven clear, 0-9 to 0-2, by the 21st minute as Dylan Walsh added another four points, including two from play, while the ever-present Tommy McGrath and Ben Ivers added a point each from play.

Borrisokane had chances, but their decision to shoot from far didn’t work as the stiff breeze that challenged them kept their scoring minimal, but in the 22nd minute Borris rescued an eighteen-minute drought as Ciaran Foley scored.

However, Ballingarry hit back with two more points, the first an excellent point by Jack Cahill from close to the wing, with Dylan Walsh grabbing another free. It was all Ballingarry, but Borrisokane closed the half with Diarmuid Hogan stepping upfield to score, with Ballingarry leading 0-11 to 0-4 at half-time.

The second half was twenty-four seconds old when Ballingarry raided the Borris goal once more, when Diarmuid Ryan won a sixty-five after Luke Gleeson made another save. Dylan Walsh’s first effort against the breeze drifted wide. Meanwhile, Borrisokane got over the possible setback with Oisin Larkin scoring a great point, but the recovery was short-lived as Dylan Walsh scored an equally good point before Tommy McGrath added another point thirty seconds later.

Slowly but surely, the Borrisokane graph was rising gradually. Oisin Larkin’s free kept the scoreline interesting, but the margin was out to eight in the 39th minute after Dylan Walsh added another free after the ever-present Tommy McGrath was fouled.

Another Larkin free followed, but Ballingarry responded with Adrian Cleere’s attempt at goal bringing another save from Gleeson. It was end-to-end now as Borrisokane hit back with four more unanswered points, with Oisin Larkin firing over three frees and Michael Heenan adding one from play. Heenan had been very busy in his role as sweeper, which enabled him to make many clearances, while Jack Larkin and Conor Ryan were kept busy.

With rain beginning to fall for a short period, the game was reaching a critical juncture as Dylan Walsh (free) and Conor Ryan swapped scores before Diarmuid Ryan gave Ballingarry a four-point lead in the 55th minute. Yet Borrisokane continued to believe and Oisin Larkin picked up another score, quickly followed by one from Donal Cleary. Two points separated the teams.

Realising they were in a sort of trouble, Ballingarry hit back and a move involving Thomas Walton, Dylan Walsh and Ben Ivers left Adrian Cleere close on goal, but the ball deflected off the Borrisokane defence for a sixty-five, which Dylan Walsh scored.

It was Ballingarry’s last score and, with two minutes on the clock, Borrisokane rallied one more time with Oisin Larkin scoring a sixty-five. The resulting puck-out intended for the midfield area was intercepted by Michael Kelly before he bisected the goalposts to leave the margin at one point.

Another two minutes of action followed as Borrisokane rallied for an equaliser, but the Ballingarry defence held firm and, with it, secured a place in the county final.

Scorers: Ballingarry: Dylan Walsh (0-12, 0-6f, 0-2 65); Tommy McGrath 0-2; Ben Ivers, Jack Cahill, Diarmuid Ryan 0-1 each.

Borrisokane: Oisin Larkin (0-8, 0-3f); Philip Austin, Liam Cleary, Ciaran Foley, Diarmuid Hogan, Mike Heenan, Conor Ryan, Donal Cleary, Michael Kelly all 0-1 each.

Ballingarry: Paidi Maher; Ger Ryan, Simon Blackmore, Paul Butler; Patrick Ivors, Thomas Walton, James Burns; Thomas Walton, Billy McGrath; Jack Cahill, Michael Ivors, Dylan Walsh; Ben Ivers, Tommy McGrath, Diarmuid Ryan.

Subs used: Conor Vaughan for Cahill (10-13, blood); Adrian Cleere for M Ivors (40); Eoghan Pollard for T McGrath (45).

Borrisokane: Luke Gleeson; Joseph Murphy, Conor Ryan, James Hough; Diarmuid Hogan, Jack Larkin, Michael Heenan; Dylan Power, Conal Larkin; Oisin Larkin, Liam Cleary, Gary Ryan; Donal Cleary, Philip Austin, Ciaran Foley.

Subs used: Michael Kelly for Power (40); Seosamh Cleary for Foley (55).

Referee: Shane O’Neill (Moyle Rovers)