Brackens hold off late surge to claim Division 3 crown

Templetuohy Bus & Cab Hire Junior Hurling League Final - Division 3

JK Brackens 0-20

Holycross Ballycahill 1-16

By Michael Dundon

JK Brackens survived a late Holycross Ballycahill surge to claim the Templetuohy Bus and Cab Hire Mid Tipperary junior hurling Division 3 league title after a gripping encounter at The Ragg on Saturday evening.

An excellent contest all the way, Holycross were a trifle unlucky not to force the game to extra time as in added time Stevie Ryan’s drive for a match-winning goal was well saved by JK Brackens goalie Darren Russell who a minute later prevented a Patrick Stakelum long-range free going over the bar, batting the effort to safety to ensure the title for the Templemore contingent.

Holycross made the early running and helped by Michael Harty’s goal after 10 minutes went 1-4 to 0-5 ahead by the end of the first quarter. With John Dunne, Audie Lohan and Conor O’Sullivan all threatening, Holycross were 1-6 to 0-5 clear nearing half-time but JK Brackens finished strongly, Eoin Kelly’s free-taking keeping them hot on the heels of their rivals who led at half-time 1-7 to 0-8.

Paddy Delaney came into the picture big-time for J K Brackens on resuming with three points to level the game 1-9 to 0-12 after 40 minutes. They were still level 1-13 to 0-16 after 50 minutes but then Brackens had points from Nicky Madden, Paddy Delaney, and Lorcan Egan and looked to be heading for victory.

Holycross showed true grit, however, with three Conor O’Sullivan points to one from Dylan Quinlan for Brackens, making it a point game into injury time.

Then came Stevie Ryan’s goal chance, well saved by Darren Russell, and Patrick Stakelum’s possible equaliser was also turned away by the goalie to ensure that the Templemore lads claimed the title.

Credit to Brackens who showed great resolve when under heavy pressure in the closing stages. They had a great leader in captain Radek Natkaniec at the heart of their defence with Shaun Jordan also having a stormer at wingback. Eoin Kelly’s free-taking was crucial to their success.

He landed eight points from placed balls and was also prominent in the play. Darren Russell’s experience and coolness in goal was another key factor in this win.

Holycross probably deserved to take the game to extra time but some wasted chances cost them dearly. Conor Ryan and Patrick Stakelum were strong at the heart of their defence with Conor O’Sullivan, Audie Lohan, John Dunne, and Michael Harty also to the fore. Their cause was not helped either by the unavailability of a couple of influential regular players.

JK Brackens: Darren Russell; Robert Lee, Paul Guider, Aidan Prout; Shaun Jordan, Radek Natkaniec, Lorcan Egan (0-1); Patrick Hickey, Rhys Loughnane; Cian Sheedy (0-2), Paddy Delaney (0-5), Sean Purcell; Jason Phelan, Nicky Madden (0-1), Eoin Kelly (0-9).

Subs used: Tommy Martin (0-1); Sean Collier; Shane Leahy; Dylan Quinlan (0-1).

Holycross Ballycahill: Padraic Comerford; Jack O’Dwyer, Conor Ryan, Rory Fleming; Eamon Ryan, Patrick Stakelum, TJ Ryan (0-1); David Manning, John Dunne (0-3); Conor O'Sullivan (0-7), Audie Lohan (0-2); Pa O’Gorman (0-1), James Kennedy, Michael Harty (1-2).

Subs used: Lee Ferncombe; John Dwan.

Referee: Paddy Kenny (Durlas Óg)