Borris Ileigh keep North U21 hurling title defence firmly on track with convincing Nenagh victory

North Tipperary U21A Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Borris-Ileigh 3-21

Nenagh Éire Óg 2-14

Holders Borris Ileigh moved comfortably through to the North U21 hurling final with a flattering ten-point win over Nenagh Éire Óg at Borrisoleigh on Sunday morning and look good to put titles at this level back to back.

A fine crowd and ideal conditions for the time of year created a buzz about the Borris venue, with a cracking game in prospect, but in the event, Borris had too much in their armoury for gutsy opponents who did not deserve to be ten points adrift at the final whistle.

Beaten in last year’s county final, Borris are out to make amends, but first they have a North final to deal with. On the evidence of this performance, and with their key men delivering in spades, they will take beating in the division.

They lost little time in setting down a marker and by the end of the first quarter were 0-7 to 0-3 clear, Paddy McCormack, Shane Ryan and Razuk Atik each pointing twice, with another from Eoin Ryan as Nenagh struggled to breach the home lines. On nineteen minutes, Jack Bevans swept on to a Tom Delaney free for Borris’ first goal, and by half-time they were 1-12 to 0-7 ahead and looking the part of winners.

Nenagh were battling hard but did not have the firepower to upset the home side. Sam O’Farrell landed four of their first-half points, but the backup from elsewhere was not forthcoming, though Filip McIntyre was working his socks off.

Nenagh needed a big second half to redress the situation, but the third quarter saw the sides share eight points. Nenagh needed a goal, and Éanna Tucker obliged from a long-range free with ten minutes to play. Five points down, they had time to save their campaign, but four minutes later, Borris Ileigh midfielder Michael Ryan, off a Paddy McCormack pass, rifled home their second goal (2-17 to 1-13).

On the hour mark, Emmet Jones netted for Nenagh to make it a six-point game (2-20 to 2-14), but time was against them, and Borris finished the stronger with a Paddy McCormack pointed free, and then he set up Eoin Anderson for a cutely taken third goal to seal the win.

Borris had every reason to be pleased with their morning’s work, but stiffer challenges lie ahead. However, they have the quality to succeed. The leadership of Tom Delaney and Paddy McCormack is a huge asset, and the backup from David Rabbitte, Daniel Groome, Razuk Atik, Shane Ryan and Lar Stapleton is of the highest standard.

Nenagh had a lot of quality in their team too, but an ineffective forward division failed to make the most of what came their way. Jake Donnellan-Houlihan was their key man in defence, with Emmet Jones also doing well. Filip McIntyre was always driving forward, and Sam O’Farrell showed his class with some fine scores. Keelan Rice and Éanna Tucker also did their bit, but overall Nenagh were beaten by a better team.

Borris Ileigh: Archie Devaney; David Rabbitte, Evan Ryan, Eamon Groome; Patrick Ryan, Tom Delaney, Daniel Groome; Michael Ryan (1-1), Razuk Atik (0-2); Jack Bevans (1-1), Paddy McCormack (0-11, 0-8f), Eoin Ryan (0-1); Shane Ryan (0-3), Lar Stapleton (0-2), Daniel Chute.

Subs used: Patrick Brett for E Ryan (46); Jack Gould for D Chute (57); Eoin Anderson (1-0) for L Stapleton (59).

Nenagh Éire Óg: Eoin Garrigan; Keelan Rice, Jake Donnellan-Houlihan, Conor Hodgins; James Heffernan (0-1), Emmet Jones (1-1), Aaron Tucker; Sam O’Farrell (0-4), Filip McIntyre (0-4); Éanna Tucker (1-1), Billy O’Brien (0-1), Mikey McCloone (0-1); Mikey Ryan (0-1), Evan White, Diarmuid Nolan.

Subs used: Adam Boland for E White (HT); Bill Crotty for D Nolan (47); Rhys Cotter for E Garrigan (60).

Referee: Alan Tierney (Shannon Rovers)