Drom advance as Brackens continue to falter

GAA: FBD Insurance Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Group 3 Round 3

Drom & Inch 3-18

JK Brackens 1-17

Report: James Hayden at Bishop Quinlan Park, Borrisoleigh

Drom & Inch dominated an out of sorts JK Brackens to book a deserved County Senior Hurling Championship knockout berth in what proved a below par final round group 3 clash on Saturday evening.

Brackens have failed to hit form since their Mid title victory and again they flattered to deceive against a Drom & Inch side determined to maintain their participation in the race for Dan Breen.

The opening half proved a far from an entertaining watch as Drom’s tactics on the JK Brackens short puckouts with a strong gusting breeze at their backs drawing the ire of their support. Allowing the Brackens backs to effectively carry the sliotar past midfield yielded two long-range points from play but they did tighten up as a half wore on.

Matthew Buckley’s charges were gifted a tonic start after an under-hit Jack Kennedy puckout inside the opening minute was seized upon by the alert John Campion who squared the sliotar for John Ryan all alone in front of goal and he rattled the net.

Brackens almost responded with a goal, but Andrew Ormond hit the post and first-timed the ricochet wide.

Drom were then hit with an early blow when a hefty, but fair, Shane Doyle shoulder on Tony Cahill along the touchline resulted in a shoulder injury for the midfielder, with Jack Lillis drafted into the fray.

In what proved an at times feisty opening quarter, Drom added a fine David Collins point before a long-range Jamie Ormond effort yielded JK Brackens’ first score after twelve minutes.

Robbie Long surged up from corner back for an instant Drom riposte before Lyndon Fairbrother arrowed over a nice effort from close-range. The scores started to come thick and fast as Podge Campion landed a booming effort before a brace of Shane Doyle frees served to keep Brackens in touch.

Seamie Callanan ensured Drom kept pace with a well-struck free before Drom allowed full-back Cathal Scully to surge up field unchallenged and land yet another booming long-range point.

Jamie Ormond linked up well with his brother Andrew to fashion a 23rd minute effort before Andrew arrowed over three minutes later and suddenly the gap was down to the bare minimum.

However, three points on the bounce from Lorcan Campion, Callanan (free) and the elusive Cormac Fitzpatrick opened up a four-point gap.

Shane Doyle replied with a 65’ before Robbie Long lofted over a looping point from the sideline to ensure Drom took a deserved four-point lead to the dressing room, 1-9 to 0-8.

Within twelve seconds of the re-start, Jack Lillis hit Brackens with a serious Drom broadside, rattling the net straight from the throw-in.

Shane Doyle (free) and Jamie Ormond responded for Brackens but even at this early stage they were starting to flounder. Drom easily maintained their advantage despite playing into the teeth of the gusting breeze with efforts from Seamie Callanan (free) and Lorcan Campion.

Cormac Fitzpatrick was also starting to terrorise the Brackens inside back line and fired over two sublime points from play in the 47th & 48th minutes to steer Drom seven clear. Fitzpatrick was on hand again seconds later to create a cracking Drom goal, gathering possession, turning his man to make a beeline towards goal before unselfishly passing to Lorcan Campion who thundered the sliotar past the helpless Jack Kennedy to effectively put the game to bed, 3-14 to 0-12.

The closing ten minutes or so witnessed a JK Brackens revival of sorts with Conor Cadell and Shane Doyle (2 frees) narrowing the gap before Paddy Cadell popped up with a well-struck 59th minute effort.

However, three serious penalty calls between the 57th and the final whistle yielded just one for the Templemore side. Drom added insult to injury after David Collins set up substitute Jonny Ryan for an audacious effort from range.

Brackens were awarded a 61st minute penalty which Shane Doyle converted but two minutes later another call for a penalty was waved away after Podge Campion appeared to fouled Jamie Ormond on route to goal.

Despite the late drama, Drom & Inch were the better side throughout with impressive performances from their inside back line of Robbie Long, Fintan Purcell and Eoghan Kennedy while Podge & Lorcan Campion were very much to the fore. In attack, David Collins, Seamie Callanan, John Campion and Cormac Fitzpatrick caught the eye.

For JK Brackens, Jamie Ormond, Cathal Scully, Shane Doyle, Paddy Cadell and Sean Walsh were to the fore with the Mid side now facing into preliminary quarter final.

Player of the Match: Fintan Purcell (Drom & Inch)

Drom & Inch: Eoin Collins (7); Robbie Long (0-1, 8), Fintan Purcell (8), Eoghan Kennedy (7); Kevin Hassett (7), Podge Campion (0-1, 7), Mark Conroy (0-1, 7); Tony Cahill (NR), Lorcan Campion (1-2, 8); Seamus Callanan (0-6, 4f, 1 65’) 7), David Collins (0-1, 7), Cormac Fitzpatrick (0-3, 8); Cormac Cahill (7), John Ryan (1-0, 7), John Campion (0-1, 7).

Subs: Jack Lillis (1-0, 7) for Cahill (4 inj); Johnny Ryan (0-1, 7) for J Ryan (42); David Butler (NR) for C Cahill (59); James Bergin (NR) for Lillis (60+3).

JK Brackens: Jack Kennedy (7); Ned Delaney (7), Cathal Scully (0-1, 7), Luke Ormond (7); Jordan Moloney (7), Paddy Cadell (7), Seán Walsh (0-1, 7); Éanna McBride (7), Stephen Cahill (7); Shane Doyle (1-7, 1-0 pen, 0-6f, 0-1 65’) 7), Andrew Ormond (0-1, 7), Jamie Ormond (0-4, 8), Lyndon Fairbrother (0-1, 6), Ned Walsh (6), Conor Cadell (0-1, 7).

Subs: Michael Cahill (6) for Fairbrother (45); James Corcoran (6) for Delaney (54).

Referee: Alan Tierney (Shannon Rovers).