On another great day out for the club our young guns have progressed to the semi-finals of Feile Division 3 where they will face Glen Rovers of Cork in Ballincollig tomorrow at 1pm. Having finished Friday with a win and a loss all we simply had to beat our hosts Blackrock in this morning's game. Playing with the aid of a strong wind in the opening half Brackens started well with Jamie Ormond on song from frees and play. Our half-time lead of four points (6-2) was wiped out in the opening five minutes of the second half as the Rockies came like a train. Things were looking bleak for Brackens and they needed inspiration. Sub Jack Marnell provided the tonic required when he gathered possession 3o yards from goal, dodged around two defenders and calmly finished to the net. It must be the Russell blood. Stout defending in the closing minutes enabled us to claim two priceless points (1-7 - 0-7 ). With Carrigaline defeating Fourmilewater it meant all three teams finished on four points. Confusion reigned in the Rockies bar as we dined on sandwiches, cakes and buns before secretary Robert declared that Silver was ours. Trim were next in Roy Keane country with the throw-in at Mayfield set for 3pm. Every club we visited seemed to have a multitude of pitches with top class facilities. No fear of the GAA in these parts. Brackens won the toss and again had a strong wind at our backs. A great team move saw Jamie Ormond put Ciaran O'Shea through for a lovely goal in our first attack to get us off to a flyer. But these boys were from the Mick Lyons school and they contested every ball like a dog with a bone. Brackens were well up for the battle though and a couple of well taken Michael Coffey frees combined with a lovely score from play by Robert Lee gave us a 1-3 to o-2 half-time lead. Two Jamie Ormond frees to a single reply from Trim left us 5 up with 5 left. But a goal and a point in the space of a minute reduced the lead to the minimum and but for a mis-hit free they'd have been level. Josh Quinlan won a vital free. Shaun Jordan cleared a couple of great balls. Eddie Corcoran made a vital interception. And Ormond hit a beaut from play. All in the space of three frantic final minutes. Trim were trimmed. Every single one of them can be so proud of their efforts thus far. We can reflect on Monday. Important business at hand tomorrow. For now. Sleep.
Michael Coffey scores a point from a free against Trim.
