Deserved win for Moyle Rovers in Tipperary Under 17 A football final

Above: At the presentation of the cup were, from left, Laurena Duggan, Secretary, South Tipperary Bord na nÓg; Ann Fleming, County Bord na nÓg; Moyle Rovers joint captains, John Cronin and Brian Morrison; and PJ Bowden, County Bord na nÓg Chairman. Picture: Michael Boland  

Moyle Rovers 2-6 JK Brackens 0-5

Two second half goals from corner forward Conal Egan ultimately proved the difference as Moyle Rovers claimed County Under 17 A Football Championship honours at Fethard Town Park.

A much-anticipated contest never got going and the defensive malaise that currently plagues the game was all too prevalent.

The wind howled towards the North Gate of the old Norman settlement and favoured the Mid champions in the opening half. However, they were intent on carrying the ball when a good old -fashioned punt ahead may have yielded a greater dividend.

Nine minutes elapsed before Dayle Hogan opened the scoring with a Brackens point from a free, Brian Hurley responding almost immediately with a point from play for Rovers. James O’Brien was alert in the Moyle Rovers goal in the 13th minute to keep out Padraic O’Shea’s goal-bound effort, while Tommy Burke was black-carded for Brackens soon afterwards.

John Cronin and Hogan traded frees in the 16th minute before O’Shea restored Brackens’ lead from a free in the 24th minute. O’Brien came to Rovers’ rescue again in the 27th minute to block Dayle Hogan’s shot following an excellent run. Luke Foley tied it up from a free on 29 minutes, but Hogan’s third free of the half left Brackens 0-4 to 0-3 ahead at the end of a half that produced a single score from play.

Moyle Rovers showed more attacking intent with the wind behind them and excellent points from play from Cronin and Foley saw them hit the front by the 40-minute mark.

Then came the decisive moment on 41 minutes when Conal Egan was on hand to flick a dropping ball to James Leahy’s net and put Rovers 1-6 to 0-5 ahead.

Four points was a very healthy lead with the breeze behind them and Brackens were in all sorts of bother. Their failure to score from play was to be their undoing and the next twenty minutes only yielded a single point for each side, both from frees.
Brackens had a couple of decent goal chances through Joe Foy and Dan Coffey but both flashed past O’Brien’s post.

Rovers were reduced to fourteen men in the 56th minute when Fred Perry received a black card but Rovers had the final say when a lovely move involving Brian Morrison and Jack Boland was finished to the net by Egan, and they celebrated with great glee.

They were deserving winners and scored 2-3 of their tally from open play. They were strong in the tackle and never gave the Brackens attack a moment’s peace. Fred Perry, John Cronin, Brian Hurley, Mark O’Meara, Conal Egan and Luke Foley all led from the front in a good team display. Rovers are certainly on the up and look to have many bright days ahead.

Brackens have had a good year and recorded a fine win over Clonmel Commercials in the semi-final. But they simply never turned up on Sunday and will be disappointed to have played so poorly.

Their insistence on carrying the ball led to many errors and a whole host of turnovers. Dayle Hogan, Kinnian O’Brien, Niall Delaney and Cian Broderick were best on the day.

Moyle Rovers: James O’Brien, Sean Mullins, Colin McAuley, Aidan White, Louis Carroll, Mark O’Meara, Fred Perry, John Cronin (0-2, 0-1f), Aaron McAndrew, Conal Morrison, Brian Hurley (0-1), Brian Morrison, Conal Egan (2-0), Luke Foley (0-3, 0-2f), Tadhg Buckley.

Subs: Jack Boland for Carroll (52), Darragh O’Gorman for Buckley (54), Jack Duggan for Hurley (58), Matthew Downey for Egan (63).

JK Brackens: James Leahy, Kinnian O’Brien, Niall Delaney, Kieran Martin, Cian Broderick, Jack Marnell, Tom Corcoran, Tommy Burke, Dayle Hogan (0-3f), Padraic O’Shea (0-2f), Billy Collier, Jack Burke, Dan Coffey, Sean Burke, Joe Foy.

Subs: Ryan Loughnane for Tommy Burke (44), Tommy Burke for Sean Burke (47), JR Corpez for Foy (52).

Player of the match: Brian Hurley (Moyle Rovers).

SEE ALSO: Mullinahone win County Under 17 B Football final

Referee: Paul Guinan (Killenaule).