Brackens land County Minor Football crown

Congratulations to our U-17 footballers who landed the club's second County Minor title in six years. Playing with the aid of the breeze in the opening half Brackens led by 1-7 to 0-3 at half-time thanks to points from Jamie Ormond (2), Padraic O'Shea (2), Dayle Hogan, Dylan Quinlan and Tom Corcoran to add to Billy Colliers eight minute goal. Despite being seven down Tuohy were very much in the game as they turned to play with the elements. Indeed, had they to bring their shooting boots in the opening quarter they could have been much closer at the break. The course of the game changed dramatically in the third quarter as a fired-up Tuohy landed four points on the trot to leave just a single score between the sides. Crucially at this juncture an injury to a Tuohy player delayed the game for a couple of minutes and from the restart Brackens regrouped and brilliantly controlled the final eighteen minutes, landing four points without reply, three from the excellent Jamie Ormond and another from Tom Corcoran to run out 1-11 to 0-7 winners - exactly the same score as their semi-final victory over Fethard. To a man the their team ethic was excellent throughout with Cian Sheedy calm and collected between the sticks. In front of Cian, Tommy Burke, Niall Delaney and Kieran Martin played their best football of the year when it mattered most, this quartet keeping clean sheets in the semi-final and final. Cian Broderick, Josh Quinlan and Tom Corcoran formed a half-back line that would fancy tackling any forwards while Dayle Hogan and Sean Purcell were always industrious in midfield against a strong Tuohy pairing. Ciaran O'Shea was vital also in the middle third and got on quite an amount of ball throughout the game. Five points is a fine haul in a County final and Jamie Ormond can be proud of his display, particularly when Brackens were under the cosh in the second half with Tuohy struggling to halt his driving runs. But it's not all about scoring and Cormac Foy epitomised this. His unselfish running and hard work from start to finish caused endless problems for Tuohy and he never gave them a minutes rest. Billy Collier and Dylan Quinlan made valuable contributions on the scoreboard as did young Padraic O'Shea who kicked two crucial first half points. Both he and Niall Delaney gave very accomplished performances for boys so young. Unusually there were no substitutions on either side today but Robert Lee, Dan Coffey, David Prout, Joe Foy, Aodhna Barrett, Bill Finn, VJ Corpez, Jack Burke, Jack Marnell, Sean Stone and Jeffery Myles all played their part throughout the campaign. To the management team of Tadhg Sheedy, the two Anthony's , Marnell and Shelley, Neil Quinlan and James Farrelly we say well done for all your efforts in what has been a very long year. You have brought the Michael Hogan cup back to JK Brackens, a feat you can be very proud of. Thanks to our physio Andy Cummins who looked after all the cuts and bruises and to our very special first aid man, Joe Keating, for whom everybody at JK Brackens are so grateful to for his commitment to our club. It has brought a very satisfying end to 2023 for the whole club and the turkey will be that little bit tastier on Monday. Brackens Abu.

Team: Cian Sheedy (JC), Tommy Burke, Niall Delaney, Kieran Martin, Cian Broderick, Josh Quinlan, Tom Corcoran (0-2,1f), Dayle Hogan (0-1), Sean Purcell, Billy Collier (1-0), Jamie Ormond (0-5, 3f), Padraic O'Shea (0-2), Cormac Foy, Ciaran O'Shea (JC), Dylan Quinlan (0-1).