JK Brackens make it back-to-back with U15A final win over Durlas Óg

Mid Tipperary U15A Football Championship Final

JK Brackens 2-7

Durlas Óg 1-4

By Mark Dunne

JK Brackens reclaimed the Mid U15A Football Final on Sunday evening last with a 2-7 to 1-4 victory over Durlas Óg. Having contested the last four deciders, the Templemore side finally completed back-to-back victories.

Played in good honest footballing spirits, the game opened finely. The Thurles side were first to attack but came up just short with a square ball inside the opening minutes.

Brackens though were first to score, with Larry O’Brien slotting away a fine penalty to give his side the lead. Sean Burke quickly added to the scoreline with his first free of the day.Both sides worked hard to convert scores but the wide count for both sides steadily rose. Credit to both teams who played a fine attacking brand of football and as a result Brackens pushed into a five-point lead thanks to the boot of Larry O’Brien.

Durlas Óg though continued their high work rate and were rewarded with a fine goal from Darragh Cornally who attacked down the heart of the Brackens’ defence. Durlas Óg brought the game to a single score with Jack Brett pointing.

Brackens to their credit responded with the next two scores both coming from Man of the Match Sean Burke. With three now between the sides, Durlas Óg rallied once more before the break with the ever Niall Gleeson converting to leave the score at the break 1-4 to 1-2 to the Templemore side.

The game resumed beneath the summer sunshine and Burke once again stood up to the plate with the opening score. Darragh Cornally though responded well with the next two scores. Durlas Óg can have Peter Casey in the goals to thank with a superb save from the incoming JR Corpez.

This save lifted the Thurles spirit and Cornally once again brought the game to a single point. They worked hard to bring the game level with Brody Donoghue, David Hanna, and Niall Gleeson all contributing to their attack. Despite their best efforts, they couldn’t get the crucial score.

Brackens attacked with pace, with Corpez, Burke, Shane Leahy, and Stephen Fogarty all crucial to this. Burke added another placed ball before the aforementioned scored a cracking goal, taking on the Durlas Óg’s defence to score. Cian Cahill added the final score of the game to see his side run out 2-07 to 1-04 victors.

Both sides need to be commended for how the game was played. The attacking and free-flowing nature of the game lent itself to the contest. Chairman of the Mid Tipperary Coiste Na nÓg John Fahey presented Captain Kinnian O’Brien with the trophy, with secretary Michelle McKelvey presenting Sean Burke with his Man of the Match award.

JK Brackens: Joe Johnston; Ben Burke, Thomas Deegan, Fionn Slevin; Oisin Brophy, Kinnian O’Brien, Andrew Quinlan; JR Corpez, Cian Cahill (0-1); Shane Leahy, Sean Burke (1-5, 0-3f), Tom Collier, John Martin, Larry O’Brien (1-1), Stephen Fogarty.

Subs used: Niall Delahunty for Tom Collier; Ben O’Sullivan for Oisin Brophy; Bryan Tonde for Stephen Fogarty; Danny McGuinness for John Martin.

Durlas Óg: Peter Casey; Josh Connors, Luca Ryan, Darragh Larkin; Jack Fitzgibbon, Brody Donoghue, Diarmuid Barrett; Darragh Cornally (1-3), Charlie Lawlor; Niall Gleeson, David Ayilarian, Ciaran O’Mahony; Jason Patterson, David Hanna, Jack Brett (0-1).

Referee: Martin Ryan (Moyne Templetuohy)