Borris-Ileigh 1-15
Kiladangan 1-12
THEY HAVE BEEN waiting to grasp the Dan Breen Cup since 1986 but under the floodlights in Semple Stadium this afternoon, Borris-Ileigh finally landed the Tipperary hurling prize they craved.
In a tough and uncompromising battle, Borris-Ileigh had three points to spare over North Tipperary rivals Kiladangan, who were in pursuit of their first title.
They atoned in style for the emphatic 16-point loss they suffered at this stage two years ago to Thurles Sarsfields, building a platform for success in the opening half and withstanding the late surge from Kiladangan.
Borris-Ileigh’s success capped a superb 2019 for the Tipperary All-Ireland winning duo of Brendan Maher and Dan McCormack. It was Maher who stepped up to knock over the insurance score from a late free, McCormack battled furiously in the middle throughout while further back another player of county experience, Paddy Stapleton, anchored their challenge.
Their youngsters were key also. The full-forward line of Kevin Maher, Jerry Kelly and James ‘JD’ Devaney are all still eligible for the U21 grade but they weighed in with a combined return of 1-10.
It was a tough loss for Kiladangan to absorb. They were forced to rue the goals that eluded them. Billy Seymour cracked in a shot in the opening seconds that touched the hurley of Borris goalkeeper James McCormack, the crossbar and the upright before rebounding to safety.
Barry Hogan came upfield for a penalty in the final quarter yet McCormack leaped to tip away his shot and moments later joint captain Sean McCormack swept a shot off the line. Kiladangan managed to recycle possession to claim points after both of those setbacks but the absence of a second goal hindered their prospects.
The opening period was defined by the impact of the diminutive Devaney who sparkled in the Borris-Ileigh attack. His pace and trickery was a combination that Kiladangan could not stifle. He had 1-3 to his name by the break, the goal arriving in the 29th minute after he raced in from the left wing, was denied the first time and finished clinically at the second attempt.
Borris-Ileigh were in front 1-9 to 0-7 at the interval, their first-half prowess laying the foundations for their ultimate triumph. Devaney took his total to 1-4 early in the second half before Kiladangan grabbed the goal they needed to ignite their challenge, Dan O’Meara bundling home after a booming puckout from Hogan.
The second half was tight and tense but two points was the closest Kiladangan got to their opponents, Borris-Ileigh’s stout defending enabling them to resist and hold on for glory.
Scorers for Borris-Ileigh: James ‘JD’ Devaney 1-4, Brendan Maher (0-2f), Jerry Kelly, Kevin Maher (0-3f) 0-3 each, Dan McCormack, Niall Kenny 0-1 each.
Scorers for Kiladangan: Willie Connors 0-7 (0-5f, 0-1 ’65, 0-1 sideline), Dan O’Meara 1-1, Paul Flynn 0-2, Tadhg Gallagher, Andy Loughnane 0-1 each.
Borris-Ileigh
1. James McCormack
3. Paddy Stapleton
2. Seamus Burke
4. Liam Ryan
5. Sean McCormack (joint captain)
6. Brendan Maher
7. Ray McCormack
8. Tommy Ryan
9. Dan McCormack
12. Conor Kenny (joint captain)
14. Jerry Kelly
10. Kieran Maher
13. Kevin Maher
11. Niall Kenny
15. James ‘JD’ Devaney
Subs
18. Jack Hogan for Tommy Ryan (55)
Kiladangan
1. Barry Hogan
8. Jack Loughnane
3. James Quigley
4. Fergal Hayes
5. Declan McGrath
6. Alan Flynn
7. Darren Moran
2. David Sweeney
9. Johnny Horan
12. Joe Gallagher (captain)
11. Willie Connors
10. Dan O’Meara
13. Tadhg Gallagher
15. Billy Seymour
14. Paul Flynn
Subs
17. Martin Minehan for McGrath (half-time)
20. Sean Hayes for Loughnane (half-time)
18. Andy Loughnane for Joe Gallagher (inj) (52)
21. Bryan McLoughney for Tadhg Gallagher (60)
Referee: Fergal Horgan (Knockavilla Donaskeigh Kickhams)