REPORTS: Mid U13 football finals throw up high standard contests

Clancy Construction Mid U13 Group 3 Final

Clonakenny were crowned Group 3 Mid U13 Football Champions after a terrific performance over JK Brackens in the final played last Thursday in the Ragg in front of a big crowd.

Martin Murray gave a man-of-the-match performance in the win for Clonakenny who had plenty to spare over JK Brackens.

Leading by just two points at the break Clonakenny let loose in the second half to sweep aside the JK Brackens challenge. Having comprehensively beaten Clonakenny in the round-robin game Brackens were favourites to land this one but the Black and Amber ripped up the form book to land the title.

They started well with a goal from Martin Murray in the second minute but it was Brackens who dominated the next fifteen minutes and landed five points on the trot through Aaron Owens (2), Lee Loughnane, Paidi Noonan, and Barney Murphy.

But the match turned on its head just before the break when Robert Smith landed a fine point before Murray sent Clonakenny in with their tails up when he grabbed his second goal on the stroke of half-time to leave them 2-1 to 0-5 ahead.

Aaron Owens notched his third point within a minute of the restart to reduce the deficit to the minimum and when Smith was sent to the line a minute later for a second yellow it looked ominous for Clonakenny.

But they dug deep and driven forward by Murray they found renewed energy when Vincent Maher goaled in the fifth minute.

Two more from the impressive Thomas Franks and another two from Murray left them well clear with ten to go. Brackens battled gamely but their young team had no answer to the stronger Clonakenny boys.

Substitute Sean Ryan added two goals of his own as the avalanche continued before Jake McGuinness grabbed a consolation for Brackens. There were great scenes of joy as Dylan Conroy lifted the cup while Murray claimed the man-of-the-match award.

Vincent Maher, T.J. Breslin, Thomas Franks, Martin Murray, Joe Mortimer, and Sean Ryan all contributed handsomely to the win. Brackens can have no complaints here as Clonakenny dominated all over the field in a strong second-half showing. Aaron Owens, Paul Clarke, Mark Marnell, Evan Corpez, and Jake McGuinness fared best.

Clonakenny: Conor Duff; Adam Keeshan, Donnagh Murray, T.J. Breslin; Joe Mortimer, Dylan Conroy, Robert Smith (0-1); Martin Murray (3-0), Eoghan Shelly (0-1f); Vincent Maher (1-0), Paudie Treacy, Aaron Keeshan, Eibheann O’Flaithearta; Thomas Franks (2-0), Sean Ryan (2-0), Joshua Dryer, Joe Whelan.

JK Brackens: Ryan Nolan; Mark Marnell, Charlie Scully, Evan Corpez; Paul Clarke, Barney Murphy (0-1), Lee Loughnane (0-1); Aaron Owens (0-3, 0-2f), Paidi Noonan (0-1); Tom Kinnane, John Higgins; Dara Feehan, Alex Russell, Jake McGuinness (1-0).

Referee: John Lillis (Drom & Inch)