Borris-Ileigh left gutted after being pipped in extra time by battling St Mary's in U19 semi

FBD Insurance County U19A Hurling Championship Semi-Final

St Mary’s Clonmel 2-21

Borris-Ileigh 2-19 

By Michael Dundon

Two goals in three minutes on the hour mark earned St Mary’s extra time in a thrilling FBD Insurance County U19 A Hurling Championship semi-final at Coolmore Dr Morris Park before driving on to get the better of Borris-Ileigh in the extra time last Wednesday evening.

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The Clonmel lads looked “ a beaten docket” with Borris leading by 7 points with 5 minutes left on the hour, but they finished in style, goals from Dara Beckett and Finn Napier putting them in front. Borris had time for a leveller from a Patrick Ryan free, however and a chance to regroup for extra time.

It was hectic stuff from the off. Borris, with Patrick Ryan impeccable off frees, made the running and were 0-9 to 0-6 ahead when Eoin Boyle took advantage of a Borris turnover from a  Clonmel puck-out to net. He added a point immediately afterwards as Borris established an interval lead of 1-10 to 0-7. 

Aaron Cagney was St Mary’s main attacker, with Darragh Landers a commanding figure at the heart of their defence, ably supported by David McSweeney. Patrick Ryan was Borris’ top scorer with eight points, but Tom Delaney anchored their defence in a splendid man-of-the-match performance.

St Mary’s fought hard to bridge the gap in the second half, but Cathal Kennedy’s goal for Borris after 40 minutes, followed by a Shane Ryan point, put them in a commanding position going into the last quarter. 

Some resolute defence by Borris and erratic shooting by a rallying St Mary’s had Borris still ahead, 2-13 to 0-12 with time running out. Three Aaron Cagney points closed the gap and, with Mary’s in full flow, Dara Beckett netted in the 58th minute to leave two points between them.

It got better for Clonmel as Finn Napier rifled home a second goal for the lead with the game now in injury time, but Borris salvaged a draw when Patrick Ryan showed nerves of steel to slot home a levelling point from a free, sending the game to extra time(2-15 each).

As could be expected, stamina was now a factor, and St Mary’s seemed to have the edge. Points from Aaron Cagney and Dara  Beckett to which Patrick Ryan replied edged St Mary’s ahead at the break in extra time. 

They doubled their advantage in the second half of extra time with points from Aaron Cagney, James Power, David McSweeney and Finn Napier, to which Patrick Ryan replied with 3 for Borris, 2 from frees, securing a place in the final for St Mary’s against Cashel.

It was a huge win for St Mary’s, who this year completed a five-in-a-row of titles in the south division, reflecting their emergence as a serious hurling force in the county. 

Aaron Cagney was their big threat in attack, but Paul Maher, James Power, and Harry Lawlor, when introduced, also did well. Darragh Landers, Jack Lawlor, and the very impressive David McSweeney were others to have eye-catching performances.

It was a gut-wrenching loss for Borris who for so long looked likely winners but they can have no complaint.  They had every chance to put the game ”to bed” within the hour, but did not take advantage of it. Tom Delaney was outstanding at the heart of the defence with Daniel Groome, David Rabbitte, Eoin Boyle, Cathal Kennedy and the very accurate Patrick Ryan, among others, to further their cause.

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Scorers: St Mary’s: Aaron Cagney (0-8, 0-4f), Finn Napier 1-2, Dara Beckett 1-1, James Power 0-4, Paul Maher 0-3, Ben Fuller, Kayden Cloona, David McSweeney all 0-1 each.

Borris-Ileigh: Patrick Ryan (0-14, 0-10f), Cathal Kennedy, Eoin Boyle 1-1 each, Eoin Ryan 0-2, Shane Ryan 0-1.

St Mary’s: Jamie Ryan; Max O’Dwyer, Jack Lawlor, Cormac Brennan; Daniel Charles, Darragh Landers, David McSweeney; Jamie O’Keeffe, Kayden Cloona; James Power, Paul Maher, Conor Landers; Ben Fuller, Finn Napier, Aaron Cagney.

Subs used: Harry Lawlor for C Landers (25); Enda Condon for Brennan (25); Dara Beckett for Maher (51); Ciaran Kenny for O’Keeffe (70).

Borris-Ileigh: Eoghan Anderson; David Rabbitte, Daniel Groome, Jack Gould; Lar Stapleton, Tom Delaney, Michael Ryan; Razuk Atik, Darragh Chute; Jack Bevans, Eoin Boyle, Eoin Ryan; Shane Ryan, Cathal Kennedy, Patrick Ryan.

Subs used: Evan Ryan for E Ryan (47); Eoin Ryan for Rabbitte (56); Rabbitte for Evan Ryan (HT, ET); Evan Ryan for Chute (72).

Referee: Cian Ryan (Éire Óg Anacarty)