Durlas Óg turn on the style to brush aside JK Brackens and claim another U15A hurling title

Mid Tipperary U15A Hurling Championship Final

Durlas Óg 3-18

JK Brackens 2-7

By Michael Dundon

A powerful second half by Durlas Óg swept them to a most comprehensive win over JK Brackens in the Spain Family Mid U15 hurling A final at Littleton on Wednesday evening week last.

No one could have anticipated such a one-sided outcome at half-time as the Brackens, after a slow start that saw them fall seven points behind at the end of the first quarter, took over in the second quarter and were very much in the game as they trailed by just two points, 1-6 to 2-5 at half-time.

Euan Murray was an inspiring figure for Durlas Óg throughout and he hit 1-3 in the opening quarter as his side pushed 1-4 to 0-1 ahead. He also set up Darragh O’Dwyer for Durlas Óg’s second goal in the 14th minute and a 2-4 to 0-3 lead.

Ryan Loughnane kick-started the JK Brackens revival with a goal after 18 minutes and with Padriac O’Shea accurate off frees, they steadily closed the gap on the opposition to be just a point adrift, but on the stroke of half-time Euan Murray pointed a free for a 2-5 to 1-6 lead for the Thurles boys.

The stage was set for a gripping second half and when Padriac O’Shea’s free after three minutes went all the way to the net, Brackens looked poised to succeed. Durlas Óg however, restored Euan Murray to an attacking role and this was a match-winning move. Darragh O’Dwyer had a goal for them in the 35th minute and with Eoin Webb becoming more and more influential, the Thurles boys struck eleven points without reply to put the game well beyond the reach of the Templemore lads well before John Lillis’ final whistle.

Euan Murray was named Man of the Match, an accolade richly deserved, but he had keen competition from the Rossiter brothers Andy and Kieran, Eoin Webb, Brody Donoghue, and Darragh Cornally.

JK Brackens were not wanting in heart and commitment and while they had some very talented young players, they did not have the all-round balance of their rivals. Padriac O’Shea, Sean Burke, Niall Delaney, Ryan Loughnane, Jack Burke, and Dan Coffey worked extremely hard to turn the game in their favour.

Durlas Óg: Donagh Hickey; Cillian Ryan, Brody Donoghue, Oran Fogarty; Andy Rossiter (0-1), Kieran Rossiter, Ciaran O Mahoney; Jakub Magalinski, Euan Murray (1-8, 0-4f); Aaron Darmondy, David Hanna, Darragh Cornally (0-1); Darragh O’Dwyer (2-2), Tom Gleeson, Eoin Webb (0-6, 0-1f).

Subs: David Ayiilaran; Bobby O’Dowd; Joey Mackey; Charlie Lawlor; Ryan Quill; Luca Ryan; Dara Burke; Diarmuid Barrett; James Mockler; George Barry.

JK Brackens: James Leahy; Ervin Corpez, Killian O’Brien, Jack Duggan; Kyle Quinlan, Niall Delaney (0-1f), Jack Burke; Stephen Fogarty, Dan Coffey; Sean Burke (0-3), Padraic O’Shea (1-3,0-1f), Larry O’Brien; Thomas Deegan, Ryan Loughnane (1-0), Jack Noonan.

Subs: Peter Breen; Andrew Quinlan; Tom Collier; Oisin Brophy; Ben Burke; Joe Johnston, John Martin, Sean Stone.

Referee: John Lillis (Drom & Inch)