Brackens ease past Senior newcomers Grangemockler
GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Football Championship Group 1 Round 1
JK Brackens 0-12
Grangemockler/Ballyneale 0-6
Report: Michael Dundon in Cashel
After a slow start, JK Brackens took control to run out comfortable six point winners over last year’s intermediate champions, Grangemockler-Ballyneale in the County Senior Football Championship group 1 opener on Saturday evening.
The Templemore/Clonmore lads were fancied to take full points from this encounter but found themselves 0-4 to 0-1 behind after twelve minutes. While Grangemockler were lively and creative in those early minutes, Brackens’ difficulties stemmed from their own failure to convert chances and taking wrong options when close to goal. The generally reliable Jack Kennedy twice struck the woodwork with frees and there was a sense that they were pursuing goals when points were available.
Manus McFadden was a key figure for Grangemockler, driving forward from defence at every opportunity, and he hit two of their points in that period as an upset looked a distinct possibility.
However, the second quarter belonged to Brackens who settled into their rhythm with Paddy Cadell a dominating figure at the heart of the defence, Jack Kennedy finding his range in an attack, where Dean McEnroe’s darting runs were also causing problems for the south defenders.
Brackens scored six points in the second quarter without reply form Grangemockler, Jack Kennedy being on target three times, time from play, Dean McEnroe, Eanna McBride and Paddy Cadell all adding points for a decent interval advantage of 0-7 to 0-4 for the Mid lads, who had the favour of the breeze in the period.
Grangemockler were expected to stretch the Mid boys in the second half, but they never really threatened to overtake them. Adrian Bourke had a net-bound effort for Brackens taken off the line in the 33rd minute before Jack Kennedy pointed a free.
Grangemockler had to wait eleven minutes for their first score of the half, a Manus McFadden point, and by the three quarter stage Brackens had gone 0-11 to 0-5 clear thanks to further Kennedy points (2) and one from McEnroe. Shane Doyle had a great chance of a Brackens goal in the 48th minute but shot wide.
It didn’t really matter. Brackens’ control was unchallenged with Jamie Ormond extending their lead to 0-12 to 0-5 after 58 minutes. Grangemockler badly needed a goal earlier on to give them a chance of salvaging something from the tie, but it never came though Lorcan Magorrian had a fine effort stopped by the timely advance of Cian Sheedy in the Templemore goal a minute from time. Sean O Meara’s injury time point was of little consolation to them.
JK Brackens are on most people’s short-list as potential challengers to Clonmel Commercials dominance of the championship in recent years, but they are still somewhat off the pace set by the champions. However, it is early days yet and this win in their opening game sets them up nicely to qualify from their group with Kilsheelan-Kilcash next in the firing line.
They went into the game without Lyndon Fairbrother and Martin Delaney, both nursing injuries, and being minded for this weekend’s hurling clash with Clonoulty-Rossmore. Fairbrother saw some action in the closing stages and came through unscathed. Paddy Cadell was the driving force behind the team. Operating at number six, he controlled that area and his forward surges always had scoring potential, thanks to his intelligent distribution of the ball.
Dean McEnroe also shone for Brackens with three points from play, and Jack Kennedy, once he got his radar working, landed two points from play as well as four from frees. Eanna McBride, Cian Sheedy in goal, and Jordan Moloney also figured prominently.
Grangemockler/Ballyneale’s big concern will be to avoid getting caught up in the relegation battle having just gained promotion. They face a difficult assignment against Ardfinnan in their next outing but will draw encouragement from their early showing. Four points from play over the hour reflects their lack of incisiveness near goal and will need to be addressed. Manus McFadden was easily their top performer, but Sean O’Meara, Conor Hahessy, Ben Comerford, and Leon Kennedy also did their utmost to stem the tide.
Player of the Match: Paddy Cadell (JK Brackens).
JK Brackens: Cian Sheedy (6); Luke Ormond (6), Tom Murphy (6), Jamie Bergin (6); Stephen Cahill (6), Paddy Cadell (0-1, 9), Jordan Moloney (6); Eanna McBride (0-1, 7), Adrian Bourke (6); Shane Doyle (6), Cathal Scully (6), Conor Cadell (6); James Corcoran (6), Jack Kennedy (0-6, 4f, 7), Dean McEnroe (0-3, 8).
Subs: Jamie Ormond (0-1, 6) for Corcoran (40); Lyndon Fairbrother (6) for Doyle (50); Michael Cahill (6) for Bourke (50).
Grangemockler/Ballyneale: Tom Kennedy (6); James Daly (6), Conor Hahessy (6), Sean Daly (6); Manus McFadden (0-3, 1f, 7), Leon Kennedy (6), Darragh Shelly (6); Michael Meaney (7), Ben Comerford (7); Sean O’Meara (0-2, 1f, 6), Thomas Regan (6), Paudie O’Shea (0-1, 7); Tom Brett (6), Alex Millea (6), Michael Meagher (6).
Subs: Tom Cody (6) for Brett (30); Lorcan Magorian (6) for Meagher (45).
Referee: Tom Loughnane (Gortnahoe/Glengoole).