Last-gasp Paddy McCormack heroics inspire Borris Ileigh to North U21 hurling three-in-a-row

North Tipperary U21A Hurling Championship Final

Borris Ileigh 2-18

Kilruane MacDonaghs 1-19

It was heartbreak for Kilruane MacDonaghs in Nenagh on Sunday afternoon as Borris Ileigh snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to make it three-in-a-row North Tipperary U21A titles, denying Cloughjordan a first in 13 years following a pulsating 2-18 to 1-19 victory after extra time.

It looked like MacDonaghs had the game put to bed as they led 1-14 to 1-11 deep into the third minute of additional time, with all the momentum behind them. But a last-gasp Paddy McCormack goal from a speculative lofted ball into the square from Michael Ryan sent the game to extra time, where the champions found the extra gear to kick on.

It was a heart-stopping affair at times in MacDonagh Park, with the sides level on ten occasions in regular time as they repeatedly went blow for blow. But with the wind in their sails from McCormack’s last-gasp strike, Borris Ileigh made the quicker start in the additional period, ultimately seeing out a famous victory.

The challengers made the perfect start, with Jack Mulcahy rifling to the net within 30 seconds of the throw-in, but Lar Stapleton and Michael Ryan responded for Borris. Brian O’Meara and Patrick Ryan exchanged scores before Paddy McCormack levelled in the thirteenth minute as the scoreboard read 1-1 to 0-4.

Cormac Kennedy and Paddy McCormack exchanged a brace of frees before Shane Ryan bundled the ball to the back of the net in the twenty-sixth minute to open up some daylight between the sides as Borris Ileigh led 1-6 to 1-3. However, Cloughjordan responded strongly in the remaining minutes, with scores from Michael Cleary and Kennedy leaving just the minimum between them at the break.

The third quarter followed much the same pattern. Cleary and Kennedy edged MacDonaghs in front, as McCormack and Cleary exchanged placed balls. Tom Delaney pointed for Borris in the thirty-ninth minute to level the game at 1-8 apiece, only for Cian Moyles and Paddy McCormack to respond in kind.

Brian O’Meara landed a spectacular effort over the shoulder in the forty-eighth minute, only for Lar Stapleton to respond with an equally stylish effort at the other end as the sides were deadlocked at 1-10 apiece with ten minutes to play.

McCormack pointed soon after, but then Kilruane MacDonaghs powered into the lead with four unanswered points. A hat-trick from Michael Cleary, alongside another effort from Brian O’Meara, had Cloughjordan 1-14 to 1-11 in front as it looked like they had ended Borris Ileigh’s drive for three-in-a-row.

But there was still time for another twist. With virtually the last puck of the game, McCormack latched onto Michael Ryan’s ball to hammer home to the net and send the game to extra time.

With all the momentum now in their favour, Michael Ryan, Tom Delaney and Shane Ryan pointed to extend the gap to three, before Johnny Naughton landed a badly needed score for MacDonaghs seven minutes into the first period of extra time.

The heroics of Tom Austin prevented Shane Ryan from almost ending the contest in the sixty-ninth minute with an incredible double save, as Cormac Kennedy and Eoin Boyle exchanged scores to leave two between the sides at the break, with Borris Ileigh leading 2-15 to 1-16.

Brian O’Meara cut the gap to the minimum after the restart, only for McCormack and Jack Bevans to push it out to three. O’Meara and McCormack went tit for tat with further placed balls to have the scoreboard reading 2-18 to 1-18 with time all but up.

With the last play, O’Meara looked to drop the ball into the square in the hope of a Hail Mary goal to send the game to penalties, but he overshot his effort, instead dropping it over the bar as Borris Ileigh held on to make it three-in-a-row North Tipperary U21 titles.

For Cloughjordan, it was a cruel ending after coming within seconds of ending Borris Ileigh’s reign, while the champions showed immense character to force extra time and ultimately complete a remarkable hat-trick of titles.

Scorers for Borris Ileigh: Paddy McCormack (1-8, 0-1 ’65, 0-6f), Shane Ryan 1-1, Lar Stapleton, Michael Ryan 0-2 each, Tom Delaney (0-2, 0-1f), Patrick Ryan, Eoin Boyle, Jack Bevans all 0-1 each.

Scorers for Kilruane MacDonaghs: Brian O’Meara (0-9, 0-7f), Cormac Kennedy (0-5, 0-4f), Jack Mulcahy 1-0, Michael Cleary 0-3, Cian Moyles, Johnny Naughton 0-1 each.

Borris Ileigh: Archie Devaney; David Rabbitte, Evan Ryan, Eamon Groome; Patrick Ryan, Tom Delaney, Daniel Groome; Michael Ryan, Razuk Atik; Jack Bevans, Paddy McCormack, Eoin Ryan; Shane Ryan, Lar Stapleton, Darragh Chute.

Subs used: Cathal Kennedy for E Ryan (46); Eoghan Anderson for D Chute (50); Eoin Boyle for L Stapleton (67).

Kilruane MacDonaghs: Tom Austin; Paul Molloy, Cormac Kennedy, Eamonn Coonan; Hugo Healy, Shane Cleary, Cian Moyles; Charlie Kennedy, Cathal England; Cillian Healy, Brian O’Meara, Jack Mulcahy; Michael Cleary, Fiachradh Ahearne Woods, Michael Hennelly.

Subs used: Johnny Naughton for F Ahearne Woods (47); Cormac Gaynor for C Kennedy (77).

Referee: Ger Fitzpatrick (Roscrea)