Clonmel Óg withstand gallant Brackens' fightback at New Inn to claim county final place

Clonmel Óg defeated JK Brackens in New Inn on Sunday

FBD Insurance Premier Junior Football Championship semi-final

Clonmel Óg 3-15

JK Brackens 2-13

By Brian Gentles

Two late goals helped Clonmel Óg just about get over the line in a pulsating match against JK Brackens in New Inn on Sunday afternoon in the FBD Insurance Premier Junior Football Championship.

JK Brackens almost goaled from their first attack, a smart move that was foiled by a Kyle Grant interception; the first of three important saves by the Clonmel Óg goalie during the half. Brackens opened the scoring in the third minute when Joe Bourke converted a penalty, but two minutes later, Conor Arrigan got the Óg off the mark with a fisted point.

Clonmel Óg settled into the game well and made full use of their wind advantage - kicking four two-pointers and a 45, to lead 0-12 to 1-2 at the break. The Óg were good value for their seven-point lead; however, Brackens had their fair share of possession in the first half and will rue their missed scoring opportunities.

An incredible second half ensued. Brackens kicked four unanswered points in the opening seven minutes before Darragh McVicker steadied the ship for Clonmel Óg with a free in the 39th minute. The Templemore side dominated the next ten minutes; a two-pointer from Tom Corcoran was sandwiched between two points from Joe Bourke. When Eoin Fitzpatrick put Brackens ahead in the 49th minute.

In the 52nd minute, Matthew Norris somehow squeezed the ball over the line after good attacking play up the right-hand side to put the Óg two points in front. Brackens responded immediately with a goal from Ciaran O’Shea after the Óg defence was caught flat-footed from a quick free.

Eoin Fitzpatrick got the next point for JK Brackens in the 55th minute, and they looked the most likely winners at that point. Darragh McVicker converted a free after good work by Chris O’Gorman to cut the deficit to one, but Eoin Fitzpatrick re-established a two-point advantage for Brackens with his third point of the half in the 57th minute.

The Og were not finished. A goal-bound effort rebounded to Luke Hannigan, who pulled on it the first time and smashed it into the goal. The same player caught the subsequent kickout to set up another attack.

Conor Arrigan added his second point of the game in the 59th minute, and in the final minute, Clonmel Óg broke up the field, and Darragh McVicker made no mistake with the goal chance. A joyous end to the game for the Clonmel Óg contingent.

Clonmel Óg: Kyle Grant; Brandon Landers, Shane O’Connor (0-1), Reece Lonergan; Dean Kelleher, Darragh Kearney, Mikey Jones; Graham Quinn, Conor Arrigan (0-2); Jamal Yousif, Aaron Arrigan, Luke Hannigan (1-0); Niall O’ Connor (0-2), Chris O’Gorman (0-3), Darragh McVicker (1-7).

Subs used: Adam Tobin Purcell; Jack Dillon; Cian O’ Sullivan; Matthew Norris (1-0); Ciaran Barrett.

JK Brackens: Brian Roche; Niall Moloney, Jamie Bergin, Billy Collier (0-1); Tom Corcoran (0-2), Jack Marnell, Mikey Delaney; Dayle Hogan (0-1), Ned Walsh; Martin Bergin (0-2), Shane Bourke, Seán Purcell (0-1); Joe Bourke (1-2), Darragh Doyle, Cian Broderick (0-1).

Subs used: James Ryan; Eoin Fitzpatrick (0-3); Ciaran O’Shea (1-0); Eddie Bergin.

Referee: Paddy Russell