Commercials claim Division 1 league title with narrow win over rivals JK Brackens

FBD Insurance County Football League - Division 1 final

Clonmel Commercials 0-20

JK Brackens 1-15

By Michael Dundon

Down a man for the last twenty minutes, JK Brackens’ bid for a first county senior football league title since 2006 came unstuck in a thrilling finish at Cashel on Sunday evening as Clonmel Commercials, themselves short several regulars, took full advantage of their extra man to claim a title last held two years ago.

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Commercials had earlier beaten the Templemore lads in the league in a game that was effectively “a dead rubber,” but Brackens were fired up to win this title, having come out on the wrong side of a number of tussles with Commercials in recent years. They looked on course to do so until they lost county underage star Conor Cadell to what seemed a harsh red card after 41 minutes. 

Brackens were leading 1-9 to 0-8 at the time but no better men to exploit the greater space afforded them with Cadell’s dismissal than Commercials, who, with Dara O’Connor and Joe Higgins leading the charge, reeled in their opponents to hit the front with 10 minutes to go and then had enough in reserve to absorb the Brackens rally in a tense closing finish.

Brackens dominated the opening 20 minutes and, helped by a Michael Cahill goal after five minutes, went 1-8 to 0-2 clear, Jack Kennedy notching four of the points, with Conor Cadell,   Shane Doyle, Paddy Cadell, and Michael Cahill adding further points. Commercials had plenty of the ball, but their build-up was very slow with a reluctance to shoot.

However, in the closing minutes of the half, they had points from Dara O’Connor (2), Jamue O’Keeffe, and Billy Tierney to be just five points behind at the break, 0-6 to 1-8.

The turning point of the game came in the 41st minute. Brackens were ahead 1-9 to 0-8 and comfortable, but Conor Cadell’s red card for a clumsy tackle changed things dramatically. Dara O Connor Kicked a two-pointer, and Joe Higgins had a point to leave just one point in it.

Jack Kennedy’s pointed free gave the Templemore lads brief relief, but Commercials now had the bit between their teeth. Rory O’Dowd and Ryan Lambe pointed to level (0-13 to 1-10), Joe Higgins laded a two-pointer, and Lambe and Danny Morris were also on target as Commercials went three clear with five minutes left.

Brackens weren’t done, however, a great two-pointer for Cathal Scully brought them level on the hour, but Dara O’Connor had the last say with another two-pointer to get Commercials over the line. A late Paddy Cadell surge for a goal saw his shot beaten away and the title go to Clonmel. 

Commercials have every reason to be pleased with the win, which, with so many absentees, underlines the strength in depth of their squad. Granted, the extra man was a decisive factor, and before that, they were struggling to break down a disciplined Brackens defence, but there is a lot of quality on their side with Dara O’Connor and Joe Higgins leading by example. Tadhg Condon, Danny Morris, Tadhg Sheehan, and Rory O’Dowd were other very influential figures.

Brackens needed this win more than Commercials, and they will be disappointed that it eluded them when they appeared on course to register a long overdue win over their opponents. 

The loss of Conor Cadell was a big blow, especially since they had lost Dean McEnroe to injury in the first half. That said, the basics are right with them as they gear themselves for the coming divisional and county championships.

Paddy Cadell did great work at midfield, and he had lots of support from Jack Kennedy,  Michael Cahill, Conor Cadell, Eanna McBride, and Stephen Cahill.

Scorers: Commercials: D O Connor (0-7, 0-1f), R O’Dowd, T Sheehan, D Morris, J Higgins, R Lambe all 0-2 each; J O Keeffe, S Kennedy, B Tierney all 0-1 each.

JK Brackens: J Kennedy (0-7, 0-6f), M Cahill (1-1), P Cadell, C Scully both 0-2 each, C Cadell, S Doyle, J Moloney all 0-1 each.

Clonmel Commercials: Kieran Cannon; Jamie Ahern, Tadhg Condon, Eoin Walsh; Danny Morris, Tadhg Sheehan, Billy Tierney; Dara O’Connor, Joe Higgins; Rory O’Dowd, Kevin Fahey, Michael Murphy; Ryan Lambe, Sean Kennedy, Jamie O’Keeffe.

Subs used: Thomas Charles for Higgins (50); Danny Lynch for Walsh (54).

JK Brackens: Cian Sheedy; Luke Ormonde. Martin Delaney, Jack Nevin; Stephen Cahill, Eanna McBride, Jordan Moloney; Paddy Cadell, Tom Murphy; Conor Cadell, Shane Doyle, Dean McEnroe; Cathal Scully, Michael Cahill, Jack Kennedy.

Subs used: Dale Hogan for McEnroe (28); Ned Walshe for Doyle (35); Tommy Burke for Delaney (53); Conor O’Shea for Murphy (56); Thomas Corcoran for Moloney (57).

Referee: Willie Fitzharris (Cashel King Cormacs)

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