Fethard finish off JK Brackens in clinical fashion to claim U19 county final spot

FBD Insurance U19A Football Championship Semi-Final

Fethard 5-12

JK Brackens 1-13

By Ronan Loughnane

Four goals in the opening half laid the foundation for this Fethard success as they comfortably saw off a disappointing JK Brackens challenge to advance to the county final. Two of those came inside the opening ten minutes to give them an eight-point lead, 2-4 to 0-2, and from there to the finish they were never in any danger.

It was back to the short sleeves again with the September coats put away for a few days as the reasonable crowd enjoyed the beautiful October sunshine. The only grumble, from quite a few, was why a county semi-final was played on the old pitch and not the sparkling new one.

On with the game and the impressive Matt Coen got Fethard off the mark with a point from play in the second minute with Jamie Ormond quickly replying from play for Brackens. Coen landed another having called a mark before the two Charlies combined, Walsh setting up Hackett for the opening goal. Brian Quinn pointed a free for Brackens in the eighth minute, and Coen had his third in the ninth minute from a free before Fethard took a strong grip on the game when Liam Kiely grabbed their second goal after being slipped a pass by Jack Quinlan.

There was an alarming amount of space in the Brackens back line and with quality ball going in the Fethard forwards made hay. Mark Neville stretched the lead to eight in the tenth minute and the game was as good as done. Brackens Ned Delaney traded points with Conor Neville before Quinn and Joe Bourke briefly closed the gap to six.

But two further goals from Charlie Walsh (pen) and Mark Neville put any thoughts of a Brackens comeback to bed as they led 4-5 to 0-6 at the short whistle.

To Brackens credit, they improved as an attacking force in the second half and the Fethard defence had to work hard to snuff out a number of goal chances. But as they pushed forward the gaps remained at the back allowing Fethard to pick off a score whenever they needed one.

Brian Quinn (1-4) and Matt Coen (0-4) did the bulk of the scoring in the second half as the game petered out to its inevitable conclusion.

The famous Eddie Moroney was an interested spectator and his grand-son Sean rounded off a memorable day for the South champions with his side's fifth goal as they finished comfortable 5-12 to 1-13 winners.

They will approach the final with great confidence having seen off both Clonmel and Brackens. They have plenty of options in attack with the Nevilles, Sean Moroney, Charlie Walsh, Andrew Connorton, and Matt Coen all capable of scoring.

Jack Quinlan and Darragh Spillane are a formidable midfield pairing, the back line is well marshalled by Dara O’Meara, Charlie Hackett, and Noah Flynn while goalkeeper Jack Davey is always alert when called upon.

Brackens will be disappointed with this performance with very little cohesion in their play. Ned Delaney worked hard at midfield, Brian Quinn was best upfront while Jamie Ormond, Joe Bourke, Jamie Bergin, and Michael Cahill worked hard for the team.

Fethard: Jack Davey; MJ Phelan, Dara O’Meara, Liam Kiely (1-0); Charlie Hackett (1-0), Gavin Neville, Noah Flynn; Jack Quinlan (0-1), Darragh Spillane; Andrew Connorton (0-1), Sean Moroney (1-1, 0-1f), Matt Coen (0-7, 0-4f, 0-1 mark); Charlie Walsh (1-0), Conor Neville (0-1), Mark Neville (1-1).

Subs used: Michael O’Meara for Gavin Neville (6, inj); Rory O’Mahoney for Hackett (42); Shane Lawrence for Walsh (50); James Barry for Kiely (54).

JK Brackens: Tom Bourke; Aidan Prout, Jamie Bergin, Shaun Jordan; Tom Corcoran, Sean Collier, James Ryan; Ned Delaney (0-2, 0-1f), Mikey Delaney; Ned Walsh, Michael Cahill, Jamie Ormond (0-2); Brian Quinn (1-6, 0-4f), Ciaran O’Shea (0-1 mark), Joe Bourke (0-2).

Subs used: Sean Purcell for Prout (HT); Patrick Hickey for Jordan (42); Dayle Hogan for Bourke (58); Daniel Joyce for O’Shea (59).

Referee: Donie Horan (Éire Óg Annacarty)