Brackens goals prove decisive in Mid U21A Football final win over Upperchurch Drombane

Mid Tipperary U21A Football Championship Final

JK Brackens 4-5

Upperchurch 0-10

By Ronan Loughnane 

For the second week running, JK Brackens and Upperchurch/Drombane locked horns in a divisional decider with Brackens just about doing enough to retain their U21 crown. 

The wind howled towards Thurles and Brackens had the advantage in the opening half. But football is a different game nowadays; their instinct is to retreat immediately once possession is lost. Brackens played large parts of the opening half in their half despite the wind and scores were at a premium. 

The opening score came in the sixth-minute courtesy of a Jamie Ormond point from play for Brackens before Tomas Ryan kicked a fine equaliser from play two minutes later. 

Toby Corbett put the ’Church ahead in the 14th minute before the Cahill brothers Stephen and Michael combined for the latter to palm to Padraig Griffin’s net to give Brackens the lead. 

Further points from Ned Walsh and Ciaran O’Shea put them four clear before Luke Shanahan closed out the first half scoring with a pointed free to leave Brackens 1-3 to 0-3 ahead at the break.

Turning to play with the wind the ‘Church were in a great position and when points from Tomas Ryan, Shanahan, and Jim O’Dwyer brought them level by the 40th minute they looked good. Tom Corcoran stopped the rot with Brackens' first point of the second half after 41 minutes before Sean Ryan kicked a lovely equaliser a minute later having cut in from the right. 

The contest had improved significantly since the break but as the ‘Church pushed forward in search of the lead the gaps began to appear at the back. Brackens punished them in the 44th minute when Jack Nevin broke through and fed Ciaran O’Shea who made no mistake from close range to land their second goal. 

Michael Cahill quickly added a point and the lead was out to four once more. Back came the ‘Church with two cracking points from Paddy Phelan in the 48th and 49th minutes and it was game on again. 

It was a real scrap for possession by now and when Sean Ryan kicked a replica of his earlier point there was only one in it with 57 minutes on the clock. 

But once again Brackens found space on the counter-attack and Jack Nevin was on hand to slot home their third goal a minute later they were through again with Michael Cahill putting the final nail in the ’Church coffin with goal number four. 

A seven-point defeat was tough on Upperchurch who played a big part in this game but those gaps at the back in the second half cost them dearly. 

Toby Corbett, Pat Ryan, Tomas Ryan, Paddy Phelan, and Sean Ryan were best on the day. Brackens will be delighted to retain their crown considering the position they found themselves in after 40 minutes. 

Their failure to commit men to attack in the opening half frustrated the crowd but once they found space in the second half they were ruthless in their finishing and can still point to a seven-point victory. 

Jack Nevin was the one who found the most space and his runs punished the ‘Church the most. He was ably assisted on the day by Jamie Ormond, Ned Walsh, Luke Ormond, Stephen Cahill, Tom Corcoran, and Jamie Bergin. 

JK Brackens won back-to-back County titles at this grade in 2017 and 2018 and fought hard to get out of the Mid division. Sadly, this was the only game played in this year’s competition. Something has got to change. 

JK Brackens: Cian Sheedy; Tommy Burke, Sean Collier, Jamie Bergin; James Ryan, Luke Ormond, Tom Corcoran (0-1); Ned Delaney, Jack Nevin (1-1); Ned Walsh (0-1), Stephen Cahill, Jamie Ormond (0-1); Tommy Martin, Michael Cahill (2-0), Ciaran O’Shea (1-1).

Subs used: Jack Marnell for Martin (44); Sean Purcell for Ryan (48); Cian Broderick for Walsh (60).

Upperchurch Drombane: Richard Ryan; Joseph Burke, Michael Quinlan, David Griffin; Toby Corbett (0-1), Pat Ryan, Rian Treacy; Tomas Ryan (0-2), Mike Griffin; Sean Ryan (0-2), Paddy Phelan (0-2), Jim O’Dwyer (0-1); Padraig Griffin, Luke Shanahan (0-2f), Oisin Treacy. 

Subs used: Hughie Purcell for Treacy (52); Sean Shanahan for Burke (52).

Referee: Murty Ryan (Moyne Templetuohy)