JK Brackens repeat the trick to beat Upperchurch Drombane and retain senior status for 2024

FBD Insurance Senior Hurling Championship Relegation Final

JK Brackens 0-18

Upperchurch Drombane 1-14

By Michael Dundon

Fourteen-man JK Brackens secured their senior status for another year with a huge second-half performance in the county senior hurling championship relegation play-off against Upperchurch Drombane at The Ragg on Saturday.

Nobody would have predicted at the start of the campaign that these two sides would be slugging it out to survive, particularly in light of the great years they had in 2022 but their involvement in this clash indicates the keenness of the competition in the top flight in the county. At the end of a thriller, it is Brackens who stay in the top flight with Upperchurch’s 25-year time at the top over for now at least.

For the second week running these clubs served up high-octane action and once again it was the Templemore boys who got over the line having edged out the ‘Church in the county football semi-final last week. The difference this time was that Brackens had to play much of the game down a man, Shane Doyle having been red-carded coming up to half-time.

His dismissal, apparently for a high tackle, looked to have tipped the scales in favour of The Church who were leading 1-8 to 0-8 at the time, and who quickly extended the advantage to five points. Brackens looked the slicker early on and went 0-4 to 0-2 clear after 10 minutes, but Pat Ryan’s goal for Upperchurch sent them ahead after 14 minutes, and in a keenly fought contest, they were keeping their noses in front, Padraic Greene hitting three further points from frees and Jack Butler two as they opened a five points gap.

Andrew Ormond had a goal-bound effort taken off the line to deny Brackens a goal and at the other end Jack Kennedy made a fine save to prevent Pat Ryan from bagging a second goal. At the break Upperchurch led 1-11 to 0-10 and with Shane Doyle’s dismissal after 25 minutes, it was very much advantage to Upperchurch.

What a misconception! J K Brackens found inspiration in adversity in the third quarter to hit 8 unanswered points as The Church were “at sea”. Lyndon Fairbrother’s free-taking was impeccable, reeling off 3 points with another from Andrew Ormond as they levelled by the 39th minute. 

Stephen Cahill had a goal-seeking effort smartly saved by Ciaran short in the Upperchurch goal after 40 minutes but the Templemore assault continued with further points from Fairbrother(3) and Conor Cadell for a 0-18 to 1-11 lead at the start of the last quarter.

Upperchurch’s case was not helped by wasted chances from placed balls but Pat Ryan opened their second-half account with a point after 48 minutes. The ‘Church were pressing as the extra man began to tell but the scores were not coming quickly enough. It was a further nine minutes before Padraig Greene had their second point of the half and his next point from a free after 61 minutes had them just a point behind.

It was hectic stuff, nerve-wracking for the fans, but Brackens held their composure and were delighted to hear referee Peter Carroll’s long whistle, ensuring their participation in the Dan Breen cup next year and giving them a timely boost ahead of next week-end county football final against Commercials.

Relief was the uppermost emotion in the Templemore camp after the game but in truth, they should never have found themselves in this situation. Neither they nor Upperchurch were relegation material but unfortunately for the ‘Church they have lost out and now face the not-too-simple challenge of winning the Premier Intermediate championship next year to regain their senior grading. They will justifiably argue that they had the chances to win and with an extra man for the second half should have made more of the advantage, but they paid dearly for that slack third quarter. Keith Ryan, Pat Ryan, Jack Butler, goalkeeper Ciaran short, and Ger Grant were their top performers.

This win is a big boost for Brackens ahead of the football final but that encounter with Commercials gives them little time to celebrate their survival. Lyndon Fairbrother was the star of the show for them with 11 points but Conor Cadell, Andrew Ormond, Martin Delaney, Jordan Moloney, and goalie Jack Kennedy were also impressive

JK Brackens: Jack Kennedy; Jamie Bergin, Luke Ormond, Martin Delaney; Jack Bergin, Eanna McBride, Jordan Moloney; Conor Cadell (0-3) Paddy Cadell; Neil Quinlan, Stephen Cahill, Cathal Scully;  Andrew Ormond (0-3), Shane Doyle (0-1), Lyndon Fairbrother (0-11, 0-10f).

Subs used: Dean McEnroe for Moloney (42); Eoin Fitzpatrick for Scully (57); C Scully for Fitzpatrick (59).

Upperchurch Drombane: Ciaran Shortt; Mikey Lavery, Ger Grant, AJ Shanahan; Keith Ryan, Gavin Ryan, Dean Carew; Niall Grant, Aaron Ryan (0-1); Jack Butler (0-2), Diarmuid Grant, Paul Shanahan; Luke Shanahan (0-1), Padraig Greene (0-9f), Pat Ryan (1-1).

Subs used: Paddy Phelan for N Grant (45); Oisin Treacy for A Ryan (54); Colm Ryan for L Shanahan (55).

Referee: Peter Carroll (Burgess)