Incredible Jamie Ormond hits 2-17 as JK Brackens snatch dramatic semi-final victory over Thurles Sarsfields

Revel At The Ragg Mid U21A Hurling Championship Semi-Final

JK Brackens 2-24

Thurles Sarsfields 0-25

Jamie Ormond produced an extraordinary individual performance in Templemore on Thursday evening, firing a remarkable 2-17 to inspire JK Brackens to a five-point victory over Thurles Sarsfields and a place in this year's Mid U21A Hurling Championship final.

The Tipperary senior hurler was simply unmarkable throughout, finishing with an incredible 2-8 from play, but it was his composure in the dying moments that ultimately settled a thrilling contest which looked to be slipping away from Brackens during the final quarter.

Sarsfields had overturned a seven-point second-half deficit to lead by two with six minutes remaining, but Ormond almost single-handedly dragged Brackens back into contention before delivering the decisive blow three minutes into injury time.

With Ciarán O'Mahoney committing to a high delivery, Ormond cleverly positioned himself behind the defender, gathered possession on the turn and calmly dispatched his second goal past Michael McCormack.

It was a fitting conclusion to a virtuoso display, although Sarsfields will be bitterly disappointed to have let this one slip after producing an excellent third-quarter comeback.

The Blues had started brilliantly, racing into a four-point lead inside as many minutes through two points apiece from Eoin Webb and Ronan O'Brien.

However, Ormond quickly announced himself, scoring four points from play as Brackens drew level at 0-5 apiece by the 12th minute.

Sarsfields were finding scores from a greater variety of sources, with Webb, O'Brien and Aaron Darmody prominent, but Ormond's accuracy was keeping Brackens firmly in contention.

The sides traded scores throughout an absorbing opening half, with Kieran Rossiter and Darragh O'Dwyer also contributing as Sarsfields established a 0-13 to 0-10 advantage approaching the interval.

However, Ormond had the final say, landing three unanswered points, the last a magnificent effort after shrugging off a tackle along the sideline before striking over from the right.

It left the sides deadlocked at 0-13 apiece at half-time, but Brackens emerged with renewed purpose after the restart.

Ned Delaney immediately edged them ahead with a fine midfield strike before Jack Marnell, Jamie Bergin and Ormond added further points to establish a 0-17 to 0-13 lead after 36 minutes.

O'Brien responded with an excellent individual score, but Brackens struck the game's opening goal in the 37th minute.

Michael Cahill gathered possession in the half-forward line, sidestepped two defenders and released Ormond on the overlap, with the latter still having plenty to do before rifling a brilliant shot into the side of the net from distance.

It was a magnificent finish, and Brackens suddenly appeared to be taking control.

Sarsfields almost responded immediately when Darmody released Cillian Minogue, but goalkeeper Cormac Bourke narrowed the angle superbly to smother the goalbound effort.

The Blues refused to wilt, however, and began to dominate possession, with Minogue, Webb, Rossiter and Darmody all contributing as they gradually reduced the deficit.

Brackens also had a goal opportunity during this period, but McCormack did enough to deny Ciaran O'Shea at close range.

Ormond eventually ended a lengthy scoring drought for Brackens with a free in the 46th minute, but the Sarsfields momentum continued.

Webb was accurate from placed balls, while Keith Loughnane and O'Brien landed excellent points as the Blues turned the contest completely on its head.

Further scores from Loughnane and Webb had Sarsfields leading 0-23 to 1-18 with six minutes of normal time remaining, an extraordinary turnaround considering their earlier difficulties.

However, Brackens refused to panic.

Ormond converted two crucial frees to restore parity before Euan Murray produced one of the scores of the game, gathering a long McCormack puck-out and firing over a magnificent left-sided effort to edge Sarsfields back in front.

But Ormond somehow bettered it moments later, striking an outrageous point over his shoulder with his back to goal and defenders applying enormous pressure.

He followed that with another converted free after Cian Broderick was fouled off the ball, putting Brackens back in front approaching the end of normal time.

And when the opportunity presented itself in the 63rd minute, Ormond made absolutely no mistake, dispatching his second goal with the composure of a player operating at the with the highest of confidence.

It sealed a brilliant victory for Brackens, who must now wait to discover their final opponents, with this semi-final brought forward due to Thurles Sarsfields' forthcoming involvement in the Munster Senior Club Hurling Championship.

JK Brackens: Cormac Bourke; Tommy Bourke, Jamie Bergin (0-1), Jack Burke; Niall Delaney, Sean Walsh, Tom Corcoran; Ned Delaney (0-1), Michael Cahill; Padraic O’Shea (0-1), Jamie Ormond (2-17, 0-9f), Jack Marnell (0-1); Sean Burke (0-1), Ciaran O’Shea (0-2), Cian Broderick.

Subs used: Stephen Fogarty for Bergin (45).

Thurles Sarsfields: Michael McCormack; Stephen Dwan, Fionn Fogarty, Oran Fogarty; Bill Fogarty, Keith Loughnane (0-1), Ciaran O’Mahoney; Darragh O’Dwyer (0-1), Daniel Rossiter; Cillian Minogue (0-2), Euan Murray (0-2), Ronan O’Brien (0-7, 0-2f); Kieran Rossiter (0-2), Aaron Darmody (0-2), Eoin Webb (0-7, 0-3f).

Subs used: David Alariyan for O’Dwyer (51).

Referee: John Lillis (Drom & Inch)