Red card costs Brackens as Commercials recover for league glory

GAA: FBD Insurance County Football League Division 1 Final

Clonmel Commercials 0-20

JK Brackens 1-15

Report: Michael Dundon at Leahy Park, Cashel

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Dara O’Connor (Clonmel Commercials)

SCORERS – Clonmel Commercials: Dara O’Connor 0-7 (1 free); Rory O’Dowd, Tadhg Sheehan, Davy Morris, Joe Higgins, Ryan Lambe 0-2 each; Jamie O’Keeffe, Sean Kennedy, Billy Tierney 0-1 each.

JK Brackens: Jack Kennedy 0-7 (6 frees); Michael Cahill 1-1; Paddy Cadell, Cathal Scully 0-2 each; Conor Cadell, Shane Doyle, Jordan Moloney 0-1 each.

JK Brackens were undone by arch-rivals Clonmel Commercials in a hard-fought County Football League Division 1 final on Sunday evening, the extra man for the winners being the decisive factor.

Brackens looked to be heading for their first title since 2006 and a much-needed psychological win over Commercials, to whom they have lost many crucial games in recent years, when the wheels came off the wagon with the red-carding of Conor Cadell after 41 minutes.

At the time, the Templemore/Clonmore lads were leading 1-9 to 0-8 and coping well with Commercials pressure but Cadell’s somewhat harsh dismissal for a clumsy tackle changed things rapidly. Commercials now had the room in front of goal to set up their scores and they took full advantage of it, outscoring their opponents 0-10 to 0-6 in the closing quarter.

With Commercials greatly understrength due to county absentees, Brackens were on top in the first half. They had a goal from Michael Cahill after five minutes, finishing the rebound of a Jack Kennedy effort to the net, and by the 21st minute were leading 1-8 to 0-2, Jack Kennedy contributing four points to the tally.

Commercials had their fair share of the ball, but their slow build-up allowed Brackens shut off the avenues to goal. In contrast, Brackens were more direct in their approach and it paid dividends. Dara O’Connor and Joe Higgins were very influential for Commercials who finished the half well but were still 0-6 to 1-8 behind at the break.

The early minutes of the second half saw JK Brackens comfortably keep their opponents at arm’s length but with Conor Cadell’s dismissal in the 41st minute, Commercials turned the screw. They levelled by the 47th minute (0-13 to 1-10) and then pushed ahead with points from Ryan Lambe, Danny Morris, and Joe Higgins.

After Jordan Moloney pointed, Cathal Scully brought Brackens level with a great two pointer on the hour, but Commercials were back in front a minute later with an equally well struck two-pointer from man of the match Dara O’Connor and there they stayed in a tense finish that saw Paddy Cadell and Cathal Scully both go close with scoring efforts for the Templemore contingent.

Dara O’Connor was the key man for Commercials, but Joe Higgins, Danny Morris, Tadhg Sheehan, Rory O’Dowd, and Billy Tierney were not far behind. A second half injury to Joe Higgins will be a concern for them as they look ahead to the championship.

Paddy Cadell was the driving force behind JK Brackens with the Cahill’s, Michael & Stephen, Conor Cadell, Jack Nevin, and Eanna McBride also working hard. The loss of Dean McEnroe through injury in the first half didn’t help their cause.

TEAMS - Clonmel Commercials: Kieran Cannon (6); Jamie Ahern (6), Tadhg Condon (6), Eoin Walsh (6); Danny Morris (7), Tadhg Sheehan (7), Billy Tierney (6); Dara O’Connor (9), Joe Higgins (7); Rory O’Dowd (7), Kevin Fahey (6), Michael Murphy (6); Ryan Lambe (6), Sean Kennedy (6), Jamie O’Keeffe (6).

Subs: Thomas Charles (6) for Higgins (50 inj); Donal Lynch (6) for Walsh (54).

JK Brackens: Cian Sheedy (6); Luke Ormond (6), Martin Delaney (6), Jack Nevin (7); Stephen Cahill (7), Eanna McBride (7), Jordan Moloney (6); Paddy Cadell (8), Tom Murphy (6); Conor Cadell (7), Shane Doyle (6), Dean McEnroe (6); Cathal Scully (6), Michael Cahill (7), Jack Kennedy (6).

Subs: Dale Hogan (6) for McEnroe (28 inj), Ned Walsh (6) for Doyle (35); Tommy Burke (6) for Delaney (53); Conor O’Shea (NR) for Murphy (56); Thomas Corcoran (NR) for Moloney (57).

Referee: Willie Fitzharris (Cashel King Cormacs).