Second County Minor ‘A’ Football title for Brackens

GAA: Tipperary Coiste na nOg Minor ‘A’ Football Championship Final

JK Brackens Og 1-11

Moyne-Templetuohy 0-7

Report: Ronan Loughnane in Cashel

JK Brackens finished off their year in fine style when they overcame neighbours Moyne-Templetuohy for the third time this year to claim their second County Minor ‘A’ Football title on Saturday.

Ultimately it was their ability to score from play that proved the difference with Brackens topping that column 1-7 to 0-2.

Despite playing with a stiff breeze in the opening half, Brackens appeared content to play a containment game in the opening quarter. With ‘Tuohy hitting three goals against Brackens in the Mid final and five more in their semi-final victory over Arravale Rovers, Brackens had every reason to be cautious of a dangerous attack. This afforded Moyne plenty of early possession, but a well organised Bracken’s rearguard generally kept them well away from Cian Sheedy’s net.

Dayle Hogan opened the scoring in the first minute with a fine point from play before midfielder Cathal Guilfoyle equalised from a free in the fourth. The excellent Ben Moore slipped Conor Campion through on goal in the sixth minute, but Sheedy stood tall in the Brackens goal to avert the danger.

The game’s only goal arrived in the tenth minute when Billy Colliers attempt for a point dropped into the top corner as Ciaran O’Shea challenged Kevin Ryan in the Moyne-Templetuohy goal.

David Doyle, Eoghan Sumner and Ben Moore drove Moyne-Templetuohy forward, but a succession of poor wides proved costly.

JK Brackens pushed further into enemy country in the second quarter and were rewarded for their bravery. Jamie Ormond converted a free before an excellent Sheedy kickout found Tom Corcoran which in turn led to a Padraic O’Shea point in the seventeenth minute. O’Shea added his second in the 20th minute to put Brackens 1-4 to 0-1 ahead with ‘Tuohy struggling to get their hands on the ball.

Dylan Quinlan and Tom Corcoran added two more with the excellent Cormac Foy central to almost every Brackens attack. Seriously under the cosh Tuohy dug deep with Guilfoyle (free) and Moore adding crucial points. Jamie Ormond brought the opening act to a close with a lovely point from play to leave Brackens 1-7 to 0-3 ahead.

The game was turned on its head in the opening ten minutes of the second half as a rampaging Moyne-Templetuohy kicked four unanswered points to leave just one score between the teams. Scores from Moore, Guilfoyle (2) and Finn Jones were roared on by their vocal supporters in the sizeable attendance.

JK Bracken’s mettle was being seriously tested by a defiant ‘Tuohy, but sometimes you just need a little break, and it came in the form of an injury to Cathal Guilfoyle which delayed the game for a couple of minutes and once the game restarted Bracken’s regained their composure and brilliantly controlled the final eighteen minutes. They held Moyne-Templetuohy scoreless in this time while adding four points of their own through Ormond (3) and Tom Corcoran to finish 1-11 to 0-7 winners and claim the Michael Hogan Cup for the first time since 2018.

They deserve credit for their final quarter performance when Moyne-Templetuohy looked the most likely with Jamie Ormond, Tom Corcoran, Josh Quinlan, Cormac Foy, and Dayle Hogan all finishing strongly. Overall, they had an excellent team ethic with every player making valuable contributions throughout the game.

What a year it has been for this Moyne-Templetuohy side. Despite finishing the season empty-handed they gained so much experience and can be very proud of this fine bunch of young men. Having stepped up from the ‘B’ grade they have made real inroads and got better with each game. Indeed, had they to bring their shooting boots in the opening quarter things could have turned out a lot differently.

Sean Lyons, Jimmy Campion, and David Doyle were excellent throughout while Cathal Guilfoyle and Eoghan Sumner would challenge any midfield combination. Ben Moore was excellent all through the game but will be disappointed to receive a late red card in a game that was played in a great spirit from start to finish.

Credit too must go to referee Derek O’Mahoney whose swift decision making allowed the game to flow, while unusually there were no substitutions in the game.

Player of the Match: Cormac Foy (JK Brackens Og).

JK Brackens Og: Cian Sheedy (J-Capt); Tommy Bourke, Niall Delaney, Kieran Martin; Cian Broderick, Josh Quinlan, Tom Corcoran (0-2); Dayle Hogan (0-1), Sean Purcell; Billy Collier (1-0), Jamie Ormond (0-5, 3f), Padraic O’Shea (0-2), Cormac Foy, Ciaran O’Shea (J-Capt), Dylan Quinlan (0-1).

Moyne-Templetuohy: Kevin Ryan; Jimmy Campion, Sean Lyons, Jack Reddan; James McBrearty, David Doyle, John Cleere; Cathal Guilfoyle (Capt, 0-4, 3f), Eoghan Sumner; Ben Moore (0-2), Chris Dunne, Leo Cleere; Paul Maher, Finn Jones (0-1f), Conor Campion.

Referee: Derek O’Mahoney (Ardfinnan).