JK Brackens cause minor upset with impressive win over Fethard to qualify for county final

County U17A Football Championship Semi-final

JK Brackens 1-11

Fethard          0-7

By Ronan Loughnane 

JK Brackens advanced to their first County Minor football final since 2018 when they comfortably saw off a disappointing Fethard challenge in Littleton on Sunday afternoon last. 

Despite playing with the aid of a stiff breeze in the opening half Brackens only led by five at the short whistle, but the anticipated Fethard onslaught never materialised, and Brackens always had them at arm’s length. 

With a good sprinkling of the team that easily disposed of Brackens in the U-19 County semi-final, Fethard were fancied by many to advance to the decider. But it was the Mid champions who stamped their authority on this game right from the off as they dominated the middle third which provided a plentiful supply for a fast-moving forward line. 

Centre-back Josh Quinlan got them up and running in the opening minute with a fine point from play before Fethard’s best player on the day, Sam Coen, replied in kind. Jamie Ormond added Bracken's second point in the sixth minute and when a flowing team move saw Dylan Quinlan through on goal a minute later, he made no mistake to grab the game’s only goal and put Brackens four up. 

Coen popped over another in the 11th minute to keep the South Champions in touch, but Brackens kicked four points in the next ten minutes courtesy of Cormac Foy, Dylan Quinlan, and two from Ciaran O’Shea. 

Both sides missed gilt-edged goal chances before the break before the ever-dangerous Coen grabbed his third point which was followed by an excellent John Lacy point to leave Fethard 1-6 to 0-4 behind at the break despite Brackens’ dominance. 

Despite turning to play with the breeze Fethard were going to have to break the Brackens’ stranglehold in the middle third where Dayle Hogan, Tom Corcoran, Josh Quinlan, and Jamie Ormond were dominant. 

It never happened, however, with Ormond landing two pointed frees to extend Brackens’ lead to seven by the 40th minute. Mark Neville pulled one back for Fethard in the 42nd minute but further points from Dylan Quinlan and roving corner-back Tommy Burke left Brackens eight ahead with ten minutes to go. Charlie Walsh pointed for Fethard before Neville and Ormond traded frees to bring proceedings to a close. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                This was Brackens’ best performance to date and if they carry that form into the final, they will have a great chance of claiming County honours where they will meet Moyne Templetuohy. 

Cian Sheedy made some smart saves in goals while Kieran Martin, Ned Delaney and Cian Broderick were always solid in defence. They will be concerned about squandering several goal chances but overall will be very happy with their display. 

It was a disappointing end to Fethard’s year as they never really got to the pitch of the contest. Sam Coen was their best attacker on the day, and he was ably assisted by Noah O’Flynn, Gavin Neville, Mar Neville, and Liam Kiely.

JK Brackens: Cian Sheedy; Tommy Burke (0-1), Niall Delaney, Kieran Martin; Cian Broderick, Josh Quinlan (0-1), Tom Corcoran; Dayle Hogan, Sean Purcell; Billy Collier, Jamie Ormond (0-4, 0-3f), Padraic O’Shea; Cormac Foy (0-1), Ciaran O’Shea (0-2, 0-1f), Dylan Quinlan (1-2). 

No subs used.

Fethard: Ben Allen; Oisin Ryan, Rory O’Mahony, Jack Stokes; Noah O’Flynn, Gavin Neville, Liam Kiely; Andrew Connorton, John Lacy (0-1); Jack Davey, Mark Neville (0-2, 0-1f), Danny Shelly; Sam Coen (0-3), Charlie Walsh (0-1), Danny Barry. 

Subs used: TJ Keane for Davy, Luke Lacy for Shelly, Alec Knightly for Coen. 

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles)