JK Brackens withstand magnificent comeback to capture Tipperary U15A football title

County Under 15 A Football Final

JK Brackens 3-7 Moyle Rovers 3-5

JK Brackens, were crowned Tipperary Under 15 A football champions for 2023 at Leahy Park, Cashel, this evening, withstanding a magnificent fightback from Moyle Rovers to win by two points in the end.

In what was a thoroughly enjoyable encounter, the Templemore side looked to be well on the way to their second title at this grade in two years when leading by 12 points early in the second half. However, an heroic fightback from the Monroe side, who scored three goals in the last five minutes of normal time, saw that huge advantage whittled down to a single score by the final whistle. On the ropes at the end, the Brackens were hugely relieved to hear David Grogan’s final whistle after what seemed a conservative two minutes of added time.

This was the proverbial game of two halves, Brackens winning the first period 2-5 to 0-1, Moyle Rovers the second 3-4 to 1-2, but at the only time when the tallies really mattered the Paul O’Brien and Phonsie Deegan managed outfit were on the right side of the scoreboard.

The Black and Whites got off to a tonic start having the ball in the back of the Moyle Rovers’ net after a mere 22 seconds. Ryan Loughnane won the throw-in and via Padraic O’Shea the ball was worked to corner forward Dan Coffey who finished high to the roof of the net before a Rovers player had touched the leather.

Within two minutes of the start Brackens were five points up with two white flags from the impressive Padraic O’Shea (one a free). Four minutes in, Conal Morrison had Moyle Rovers first and only score in the opening 30 minutes, pointing after a quickly-taken free by the ever industrious Rovers captain, Fred Perry.

Ryan Loughnane then pointed for Brackens after a good turnover forced by Padraic O’Shea.

Nine minutes in, the physically stronger Templemore side, with big efforts from Niall Delaney, Sean Stone and O’Shea, had their second goal. A huge delivery into the danger zone by team captain Delaney was followed in by Odhran Dalling who got a vital fist to the ball past James O’Brien for a 2-3 to 0-1 advantage.

And just a minute later they could have had a third goal when a fine move combining Sean Stone and Padraic O’Shea saw the latter blaze over the crossbar with a goal there for the taking.

Rovers were making little impression in attack with Brackens utilising Jack Burke very efficiently in a sweeping role and JR Corpez was also putting in a storming show in stemming Rovers attacks and also countering at every opportunity.

The final score of the first half came in the 17th minute, a close–in free converted by Padraic O’Shea. But at least Moyle Rovers were settling better and had a great chance of a goal in the 20th minute when Fred Perry and Conal Morrison combined but Charlie Ryan was unable to apply the finishing touch at the crucial moment. It was a big relief for the Templemore side who were also let off by some poor shooting from the Powerstown/Lisronagh parishioners.

At 2-5 to 0-1 at half-time, Rovers looked in serious trouble and that situation went from bad to worse with the lead extended to 12 points when Ryan Loughnane and Padraic O’Shea (free) added points within three minutes of the restart. Amazingly, Brackens would only score once more before the final whistle.

No one could have imagined what would transpire after that, the dead-and-buried looking South champions heroically pulling themselves back into contention with a trojan transformation.

Four unanswered points from play between the 36th and 44th minute from Conal Morrison, Conal Egan (2), and an excellent angled effort from substitute Darragh O’Gorman stoked the embers to make it 2-7 to 0-5.

Brackens, on the back foot now, were pulling out all the stops in defence, with JR Corpez magnificent popping up everywhere. And a huge moment arrived in the 49th minute, with a crucial double save by Brackens keeper James Leahy followed by a goalline save from the dynamic corner-forward Dan Coffey when Rovers looked certain to score. It was to prove vital by the end of the hour.

The goal-fest started five minutes from the end of normal time when a long ball played in was seized by Conal Egan and the Rovers wing-back finished superbly to the far bottom corner of the net.

From the kick-out Fred Perry won possession for Rovers and again stuck Egan with a pinpoint pass. As Egan tried to turn to shoot he was illegally impeded, and from the resultant penalty Perry blasted under the Brackens keeper. Now at 2-7 to 2-5, Rovers were right back in a county final that just minutes earlier looked beyond them.

And another minute on, they were unlucky not to make it three goals in as many mad minutes, Cillian Morrissey’s effort whizzing past the outside of the post.

Brackens, who hadn’t scored in 26 minutes of the second half, needed to respond quickly and they did. A move up the length of the field linking Sean Burke and Dan Coffey saw the latter’s effort at a point come back down off the upright. Fortunately for the Mid champions, Ryan Loughnane was in the right place and blasted to the net to stretch the lead to five with just a minute of normal time remaining.

But there was no bottom to the spirit of the Rovers’ well and Darragh O’Gorman finished superbly high to the top corner of net to make it 3-7 to 3-5 and ignite the flames once more.

However, JK Brackens held on to great relief and joy at the final whistle, deserving champions who knew they had earned silverware the hard way.

It was an outstanding team performance from the winners especially in the first half, with everyone contributing. The real standout performers on a great night for the Cardens men were Niall Delaney who led by example, JR Corpez, Odhran Dalling, Ryan Loughnan, Sean Stone, Padraic O’Shea, Dan Coffey and Jack Burke.

For a gallant Moyle Rovers who lost nothing in defeat, Fred Perry worked tirelessly from midfield and covered every inch of the park, while others to shine were Conal Egan, Conor Hurley, Conal Morrison, Conor Walsh, Joe O’Donovan, Cillian Morrissey and Conor Williams.

JK Brackens:

James Leahy, Tom Deegan, Kyle Quinlan, Jack Duggan, JR Corpez, Niall Delaney (captain), Larry O’Brien, Odhran Dalling (1-0), Ryan Loughnane (1-2), Sean Stone, Stephen Fogarty, Padraic O’Shea (0-5, 0-3F), Dan Coffey (1-0), Sean Burke, Jack Burke.

Subs: Kinnan O’Brien for O’Brien (39 minutes); Jack Noonan for Fogarty (42).

Moyle Rovers:

James O’Brien, Conor Walsh, Aidan White, Jack O’Brien, Conor Hurley, Oisin McCarthy, Conal Egan (1-2), Fred Perry (captain, 1-0 pen), Conor Morrison (0-2), Ben Hoare, Conor Williams, Joe O’Donovan, Cillian Morrissey, Charlie Ryan, Jack Boland.

Sub: Darragh O’Gorman (1-1) for Ryan (36 minutes).

Referee: David Grogan (Aherlow).