Loughmore complete dual double over Brackens

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Football Championship Group 3 Round 2

Loughmore/Castleiney 3-9

JK Brackens 0-13

Report: Michael Dundon in Templetuohy

Photos: Diarmuid Brennan/SportsFocus

Two goals in seven minutes at the start of the last quarter steered holders Loughmore/Castleiney to their second win in group 3 of the County Senior Football Championship on Sunday.

Once more JK Brackens were on the receiving end in their jousts with their neighbours and great rivals, but they can have no complaint here as they failed to make the most of a distinct first half advantage with the fresh breeze and duly paid the penalty.

With four teams to qualify for the knock-out stages from this six team group, JK Brackens who started their campaign with a win over Arravale Rovers, are also likely to go through but would have taken great heart from the boost a win over the champions would have given them.

While the decisive Loughmore/Castleiney goals came in the last quarter, the damage, from Brackens’ point of view, happened in the first half. During this time, they dominated possession but scored just three times from play; Cathal Scully and Shane Doyle had early two-pointers as did Jack Kennedy from a free, as they established a 0-7 to 0-1 lead after twelve minutes.

Everything appeared to be going smoothly for the challengers but on fifteen minutes, when a JK Brackens attack broke down, Loughmore pounced and swiftly moved the ball up field for Eamon Connolly to slip home a goal, undoing much of the good Brackens work of the opening period.

Jack Kennedy’s free taking kept the Templemore side in front and at the break they had a 0-10 to 1-3 advantage, not enough, one felt, to cushion them against the inevitable Loughmore onslaught in the second half.

However, it took Loughmore fourteen minutes to draw level (2-5 to 0-11) Philip O’Connell netting having earlier spurned a great goal chance. Liam McGrath kicked a two-pointer for the lead, but Brackens responded with points from Jack Kennedy and Jack Nevin to tie the game with ten minutes to play.

A minute later, Liam Treacy marked his arrival on the pitch with Loughmore’s third goal, after sloppy Brackens’ defensive work, and Eamon Connolly went close with another effort turned out for a 45. Loughmore were comfortably in the ascendancy and rounded off with points from John(free) and Ciaran McGrath to further the defence of their title.

Moyle Rovers are next in line for Loughmore/Castleiney.

Though on the losing side Paddy Cadell was the most influential player on the field constantly driving JK Brackens forward. Ned Delaney, Conor Cadell, Stephen Cahill, Jordan Moloney, and Cathal Scully also did their bit.

Player of the Match: Paddy Cadell (JK Brackens)

Loughmore/Castleiney: Shane Hennessy (6); Lorcan Egan (6), Willie Eviston (6), Eoin O’Connell (0-2pt, 7); John Ryan (7), Tomas McGrath (6), Tommy Maher (6); Brian McGrath (6), Noel McGrath (7); Conor Ryan (6), Eamon Connolly (1-0, 7), Ed Connolly (7); Liam McGrath (0-5, 1x2pt, 0-3f, 6), John McGrath (0-1f, 6), Philip O’Connell (1-0, 7).

Subs: Ed Meagher (6) for C Ryan (40), Liam Treacy (1-0, 7) for T McGrath (48), Ciaran McGrath (0-1, 6) for L McGrath (54).

JK Brackens: Cian Sheedy (6); Martin Delaney (6), Luke Ormond (6), Joran Moloney (6); Stephen Cahill (7), Ned Delaney (7), Conor Cadell (0-1, 7); Paddy Cadell (8), Shane Doyle (0-2pt, 6); Eanna McBride (6), Dean McEnroe (6), Andrew Ormond (6); Cathal Scully (0-2pt, 7), Jack Kennedy (0-7, 5f, 1x2pt, 6), Michael Cahill(6).

Subs: Jack Nevin (0-1, 6) for M Delaney (46); Jamie Ormond (6) for Doyle (54); Lyndon Fairbrother (6) for McEnroe (57).

Referee: Derek O’Mahoney (Ardfinnan).