Moycarkey Borris into their first Mid Final 22 years after top performance

Centenary Agri Mid Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Moycarkey Borris 0-23 

JK Brackens 1-14

Moycarkey Borris’ best display for some time saw them romp home surprisingly easy winners over a disappointing JK Brackens in the Centenary Agri Mid senior hurling semi-final at Holycross on Sunday to secure their place in the decider for the first time in 22 years.

It would be overstating things to suggest that this was a major upset. Nevertheless, JK Brackens, champions two years ago, and with a win over Holycross Ballycahill in the quarter-final to prime them for this encounter, were most people’s fancy to go through to the final. 

However, the Templemore lads never matched the intensity that Moycarkey brought to their game and had the demeanour of losers for some time before referee John Lillis called time.

Moycarkey Borris have not won this title since 1982, an extraordinarily long barren period for a club with such a proud history, and while they will start as outsiders against Loughmore Castleiney in next weekend’s final, a repeat of the hunger and determination shown last week could carry them a long way to a success that would work wonders for the club.

It wasn’t all about determination and aggression, Moycarkey played some fine hurling, had ten players on the score sheet, and if they tidied up some of their finishing they could bridge the 40-year gap since their last appearance in the final, 1984, when, incidentally, they lost to Loughmore Castleiney. 

JK Brackens simply did not turn up and from the word go were struggling to match the pace and commitment of their rivals. Dangerman Andrew Ormond was well-policed by Moycarkey’s Tom Ryan, which hugely reduced their attacking options. Lyndon Fairbrother was reliable off frees and registered five of their first-half points from frees but at the break, they trailed 0-8 to 0-11, a scoreline that did not accurately reflect Moycarkey’s dominance in a game that never really got going.

County goalie Rhys Shelly hit two of the Moycarkey tally from long-range frees with Kieran Morris adding four more but, with JK Brackens expected to raise their game in the second half, the spot in the final was still very much up for grabs.

As it transpired, Moycarkey were even more dominant in the second half, and with Max Hackett, Kieran Morris, and Jack Fallon leading the way, they extended their advantage to 0-21 to 0-12 with the final whistle approaching. Brackens did muster a response of sorts, sub Ned Walsh hitting 1-1, but there was never a threat to Moycarkey’s win as the game drifted into injury time.

A big win for the Moycarkey-Borris lads, managed for the second year by former Kilkenny star Eddie Brennan, and one that should give them a real boost as the serious club hurling gets underway. 

There was much to admire about their attitude and ability and basically, any team that beats them will earn their success if this encounter is an accurate reflection on their standing.

Tom Ryan had a fine game curtailing Andrew Ormond’s influence. Eoghan Hayes, Kieran Cummins, Jack Fallon, Max Hackett, goalkeeper Rhys Shelly, and the ever-reliable Kieran Morris all played key roles in the win.

What of JK Brackens? This was a very disappointing showing. Perhaps they underestimated the opposition but they never got to the pitch of the game with their normal high-energy approach missing. Champions for the first time two years ago, this is a setback they will need to quickly put behind them with the county championship in the offing, a timely wake-up call perhaps. 

Paddy Cadell did his utmost to rally the troops as did Cathal Scully and Shane Doyle. Despite the attention he received, Andrew Ormond was still the main threat in a non-firing attack with Ned Walsh also making a favourable impression when introduced.

Moycarkey Borris: Rhys Shelly (0-3f); Steven Walsh (0-1), Peter Melbourne, Tom Ryan; Tom Hayes, Eoghan Hayes, Pat Molloy; Kieran Cummins (0-3), Jack Fallon (0-1); Joe Maher (0-1), Max Hackett (0-2), Kyle Shelly (0-1); Jack Hayes (0-1), Kieran Morris (0-8, 0-6f), Bill Flanagan (0-2). 

Subs used: David Costigan for K Shelly (45); Rory Reyan for Costigan (53); Chris McCullagh for Flanagan (60).

JK Brackens: Jack Kennedy; Martin Delaney, Cathal Scully, Luke Ormond; Ned Delaney (0-1), Paddy Cadell (0-1), Tom Murphy; Eanna McBride, Dean McEnroe; Conor Cadell, Shane Doyle (0-2, 0-1f), Lyndon Fairbrother (0-6f); Jamie Ormond, Andrew Ormond (0-2), Michael Cahill (0-1).

Subs used: Jordan Moloney for M Delaney (HT); Ned Walsh (1-1) for M Cahill (49); Stephen Cahill for Fairbrother (49); James Corcoran for McBride (55).

Referee: John Lillis (Drom & Inch)