Ormond stars as Brackens bounce back

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Football Championship Group 3

JK Brackens 1-19

Ballyporeen 1-15

Report: Michael Dundon in Drombane

JK Brackens put the setback of a first round defeat behind them to revive their championship challenge with a spirited four point win over Ballyporeen in the County Senior Football Championship, on Friday evening in a lively encounter.

Surprise first round losers to newly promoted Thurles Sarsfields, Ballyporeen were also endeavouring to keep their title bid alive, so this second loss, with one game to play, leaves them staring at involvement in the relegation play-offs.

Both sides needed to win and they gave it everything in a most entertaining encounter in which each enjoyed their spells of dominance but when the chips were down it was the Brackens who delivered, despite losing red-carded Jordan Moloney for the closing seven minutes.

Ballyporeen got the ideal start, a two-pointer from Darragh Brennan after two minutes but then Brackens clicked into gear with four points on the trot. Conor Sweeney was the big Ballyporeen threat and he kicked a point, then a two-pointer, but an excellent goal by Jamie Ormond on thirteen minutes had the Mid lads ahead 1-5 to 0-3 at the end of the quarter.

Ballyporeen then enjoyed a good spell, crowned by Conor Sweeney’s goal after eighteen minutes, and with the exchanges fast and of high quality, half-time was reached with the sides level 1-8 apiece.

An injury forced James Corcoran out of the Brackens side for the second half and it was Kevin O’Mahoney who drew first blood for Ballyporeen on resuming, a well-taken point. Back came Brackens to get ahead with a Jamie Ormond two-pointer, Eanna McBride and Jack Kennedy following suit for the Templemore lads who were 1-16 to 1-12 clear with seven minutes to go. Conor Sweeney points were keeping Ballyporeen in touch. Jamie Ormond could have sealed it for Brackens in the 54th minute but his effort clipped the crossbar for a point. Points by Jack Kearney and Darragh Brennan had Ballyporeen three behind with four minutes to go. Then Shane Doyle kicked a mighty two-pointer for the winners before they lost Jordan Moloney to a red card.

Ballyporeen threw everything into attack but Brackens were equal to the challenge, the South men’s only reward for their efforts a Christy English point in the 64th minute, leaving the Templemore lads relieved to have their title bid back on track.

It was a big win for JK Brackens who face Thurles Sarsfields in their final group game with their future now very much in their own hands again. The return of some absentees from the first day helped greatly in what was a very positive performance by them. They were full of energy, worked well for each other, and were also on song near goal.

Jamie Ormond was their top performer but Jack Nevin, Eanna McBride, the Cadell’s Paddy & Conor, Shane Doyle and Ned Delaney also had big games. With Lyndon Fairbrother on the sideline injured, the injury to James Corcoran will be a concern as they seek to progress on both hurling and football fronts.

Ballyporeen are in trouble. They next face Kilsheelan/Kilcash, and points won’t come easily there. Yet there was much to admire about their play in this game with Conor Sweeney and Darragh Brennan a big attacking threat. Oisin Brennan, Jack Kearney and Charlie English were others to contribute well. However, while all the signs point to a relegation struggle this showing suggests they are well capable of avoiding the drop.

Player of the Match: Jamie Ormond (JK Brackens)

JK Brackens: Brian Roche (6); Ned Delaney (0-1, 7), Jack Nevin (7), Tommy Burke (6); Michael Cahill (6), Cathal Scully (6), Eanna McBride (0-3, 7); Lorcan Roche (6), Paddy Cadell (7); Conor Cadell (7), Dean McEnroe (0-2, 6), James Corcoran (6); Jamie Ormond (1-5, 1x2play, 9), Jack Kennedy (0-5, 4f, 6), Shane Doyle (0-3, 1x2play, 7).

Sub: Jordan Moloney (6) for Corcoran (HT).

Ballyporeen: Kieran Macken (6); John Ryan (6), Oisin Brennan (7), Eoin Morrissey (6); Charlie English (7), James Barry (6), Jack Kearney (0-1, 7); Kevin O’Mahoney (0-1, 6), Darragh Brennan (0-4, 1x2play, 1f) 7); Darragh Lyons (6), Seamus O’Callaghan (0-1, 6), Tomas Vaughan (6); Conor Sweeney (1-6, 1x2f, 0-2f) 7), Sam McGrath (6), Christy English (0-2, 6).

Subs: Rian O’Callaghan (6) for Barry (44); Gavin Canty (6) for Lyons (48); Fionnan O’Sullivan (6) for Christy English (48).

Referee: Derek O’Mahoney (Ardfinnan).