Scully goals inspire Brackens past Moyle Rovers

GAA: FBD Insurance County Senior Football Championship Group 4

JK Brackens 3-8

Moyle Rovers 0-12

Report: Michael Dundon in Boherlahan

Cathal Scully struck twice for goals in six minutes at the three-quarter stage which clinched the two vital points for JK Brackens in this County Senior Football Championship group 4 tie on Saturday evening, leaving 2018 champions Moyle Rovers with no room for error in their remaining games.

Moyle Rovers are on the short-list of potential title winners, but Brackens have their own ambitions in that regard, and these were hugely boosted by this success which was achieved without the influential Paddy Cadell and with Eanna McBride and Lyndon Fairbrother unable to start though getting into the action in the second half.

This was a fine contest with lots of entertaining football. Both sides defended in numbers when required and sought to break rapidly on turn-overs in search of scores. It made for a lively tussle which could have gone either way, but the Templemore/Clonmore were the sharper in front of goal and duly reaped their reward.

Brackens were quick off the blocks with two points in eight minutes, but Rovers settled to draw level after eleven minutes. The sides were level three more times coming to the break when Jack Harney pointed to give Rovers a 0-6 to 0-5 lead at half-time.

It was all to play for in the second half. Rovers extended their lead to 0-8 to 0-6 by the 38th minute but then came the match-changing goals. First, Cathal Scully benefitted from a collision between two Rovers defenders for this sides opening goal in the 40th minute.

Neil Quinlan quickly added a point and in the 46th minute Scully was again the most alert when the ball came off the woodwork and he slotted home goal number two and a 2-7 to 0-8 lead.

Rovers had a hill to climb to redeem the situation. Stephen Quirke pointed a free, but they suffered another setback when the ball broke kindly for Shane Doyle in the 52nd minute and he blasted home Brackens’ third goal for a 3-7 to 0-9 lead.

It was hard to see Brackens losing at this stage, but Rovers made a mighty effort. Luke Boland pointed. Conor Cadell for Brackens was black carded when he hauled down Liam Boland who added another Rovers point from the free, but time was against Rovers. Jack Kennedy hit them on the break for a Templemore point and while Jack Harney had the final say, a Rovers point in injury time, Brackens’ victory was secure and their campaign off to the very best start.

This win should do much to get JK Brackens’ season off the ground and back to something approaching the level of performances last year. Being without key players hasn’t helped but manager Kevin Mulryan’s charges should have a big say in the destination of honours when they are playing with a full deck. Their standing in football circles is high but their goal, to secure the county title that has eluded them since the formation of the club, is within their reach.

While Cathal Scully’s opportunism in front of goal was the primary reason for their success the efforts of such as Jordan Moloney, Dean McEnroe, Shane Doyle, Neil Quinlan, and Tommy Murphy also contributed hugely to this important win.

Moyle Rovers were disappointed to lose but still have much to play for and on this form should still make the knock-out stages though there is no more wriggle room. Luke Boland was the driving force in the team from the number six position, with Liam Boland and Stephen Quirke the main threat in an under-performing attack. Jack Harney, Danny Owens, and Luke Fogarty also did their bit.

Player of the Match: Cathal Scully (JK Brackens)

JK Brackens: Kuba Beben (6); Luke Ormond (6), Tommy Murphy (7), Martin Delaney (6); Stephen Cahill (6), Neil Quinlan (0-1, 7), Jordan Moloney (7); David O’Shea (6), Adrian Bourke (6); Dean McEnroe (0-2, 7), Cathal Scully (2-1, 8), Conor Cadell (7); Shane Doyle (1-1, 7), Jack Kennedy (0-2, 1f, 6), Jack Nevin (0-1, 6).

Subs: Lorcan Egan (6) for O’Shea (40); Eanna McBride (6) for Nevin (46); Lyndon Fairbrother (6) for Scully (50); Diarmuid Delaney (NR) for Bourke (57); Jamie Bergin (NR) for Delaney (60).

Moyle Rovers: Shane Ryan (6); Jack Harney (0-2, 7), Conor McGrath (6), Cian Crowe (0-1, 6); Rory Collins (6), Luke Boland (0-1, 7), Brian McKeown (6); Luke Fogarty (7), Danny Owens (7); Ben Owens (6), Stephen Quirke (0-2f, 6), Dara Ryan (0-1, 6); Shane Foley (0-1, 6), Liam Boland (0-4, 3f, 7), Dean English (6).

Subs: Diarmuid Foley (6) for B Owens (45); Killian Butler (6) for Collins (51); Aidan Foley (6) for Ryan (54).

Referee: Sean Horan (Eire Og Annacarty).