Moycarkey Borris ends 42-year wait to qualify for senior final in dramatic finale

FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final

Moycarkey Borris 2-19

JK Brackens 0-23

They did it again! Moycarkey Borris replicated their quarter-final win over Kiladangan with another late match-winning surge to defeat a JK Brackens side that looked certain winners with five minutes to play in the FBD Insurance County Senior Hurling semi-final at Semple Stadium on Sunday.

In a thrilling finish to an otherwise moderate game, Moycarkey Borris came from four points down to score 1-4 for a win that gives them a spot in the county final for the first time since 1985, with Thurles Sarsfields now standing between them and a first title since 1984.

No wonder Moycarkey followers were euphoric at the final whistle, and they will go into the decider with self-belief soaring following a second escape of Houdini proportions.

JK Brackens were devastated at the finish, extremely frustrated that they didn’t see out a contest that looked comfortably within their grip, but they had similar lapses twice against Holycross-Ballycahill in the quarter-final and were lucky to get over the line then.

They paid dearly for their late lapse in concentration here, though full credit must go to Moycarkey, who kept going even when things looked bleak for them.

A very low-key first half saw JK Brackens comfortably in control. They led 0-7 to 0-4 at the end of the first quarter and, with half-time looming, they had extended this advantage to 0-13 to 0-6.

A portent of what was to follow later, Moycarkey finished the half with a flourish, points from Killian Cantwell, Joe Maher (2) and David Costigan reducing the deficit to a very manageable 0-10 to 0-14 by the interval.

Moycarkey would have the breeze behind them in the second half, a period that saw the Brackens goal bombarded by long-range puck-outs from county custodian Rhys Shelley, but it took some time before they capitalised on them. A hat-trick of Lyndon Fairbrother points from frees, to which Max Hackett replied for Moycarkey, sent Brackens six clear and motoring early in the second half.

On the three-quarter mark, Moycarkey got a vital break when Joe Egan netted off a Kieran Morris pass following a Killian Cantwell free, but Brackens held firm. A brace of Fairbrother points and another from Andrew Ormond negated the goal and kept them five ahead, 0-20 to 1-12.

Moycarkey were buzzing now and Brackens were stretched to contain them. Three points in three minutes from Cantwell, Morris and Cantwell again, all from frees, had the deficit down to a point, 1-18 to 0-22, with the hour just up. Another long-range missile from Rhys Shelley paved the way for Moycarkey’s second goal, Kieran Morris benefiting from the break to scoop home for a lead of 2-18 to 0-22.

Edge-of-the-seat stuff as Lyndon Fairbrother pointed for Brackens, but Kieran Cummins marked his return to action with a relieving point for Moycarkey. Two points down, Brackens threw everything into attack and, in the 63rd minute, won a twenty-metre free to the left of goal.

Lyndon Fairbrother blasted for the net, but his effort was blocked away and referee Michael Kennedy called time to the delight of the large Moycarkey Borris contingent.

By any measure, it was a huge win for Moycarkey Borris, who will face into the final full of confidence. Their commitment and resolve is beyond question and they remain unbeaten in the championship after five games.

Supporters may worry that they tend to leave themselves with mountains to climb and that this could yet prove costly, but they have done the club, the parish and themselves proud in this campaign, and the best could be yet to come.

There was no shortage of heroes in this win. Rhys Shelley’s long deliveries to pressurise the Brackens defence led to several scores. Killian Cantwell’s excellent long-distance free-taking is a valuable asset.

Kieran Morris continues to pose a big threat up front, where David Costigan’s reputation continues to grow. Further back, the Hayes clan dominate a no-nonsense defence, with veteran Pat Molloy getting a late and productive call-up for this encounter.

Brackens’ disappointment was understandable. They looked likely winners but let things slip from their grasp as they faltered close to the line. They had beaten Moycarkey in the Mid championship, winning on penalties after extra-time, and were fancied to come out on top again, but can have no excuses for this defeat.

Their failure to stay the distance will haunt them for some time as they sought a place in the final for the first time. However, the experience of this campaign should stand to them in the future. They have the players and the talent to go further.

As ever, Paddy Cadell was the driving force in the team, with Andrew Ormond a threat in attack all the time. Ned Walsh had his best game of the year. Lyndon Fairbrother’s free-taking is a huge bonus and the contributions of Cathal Scully, Michael Cahill and Jamie Ormond were also significant.

Scorers: Moycarkey Borris: Kieran Morris 1-3, David Costigan 0-4, Joe Egan 1-0, Killian Cantwell 0-3f, Max Hackett, Joe Maher 0-2 each, Niall Heffernan, Rory Darmody, Jack Hayes, Pat Molloy, Kieran Cummins all 0-1 each.

JK Brackens: Lyndon Fairbrother 0-11f, Andrew Ormond 0-4, Ned Walsh, Jamie Ormond 0-2 each, Shane Doyle 0-1f, Ned Delaney, James Corcoran, Eanna McBride all 0-1 each.

Moycarkey Borris: Rhys Shelley; Kevin Hayes, Tom Hayes, Pat Molloy; Stephen Walsh, Eoghan Hayes, Killian Cantwell; Max Hackett, Niall Heffernan; David Costigan, Joe Egan, Rory Darmody; Jack Hayes, Joe Maher, Kieran Morris.

Subs used: Kieran Cummins for Darmody (38); Peter Melbourne for Walsh (48); Kevin O’Regan for J Hayes (50); Jack Fallon for Egan (56); Tom Ryan for O’Regan (62).

JK Brackens: Jack Kennedy; Luke Ormond, Cathal Scully, James Corcoran; Michael Cahill, Paddy Cadell, Ned Delaney; Eanna McBride, Conor Cadell; Lyndon Fairbrother, Andrew Ormond, Jamie Ormond; Padraic O’Shea, Shane Doyle, Ned Walsh.

Subs used: Dean McEnroe for O’Shea (HT).

Referee: Michael Kennedy (Newcastle)