A goal in each half from Eanna McBride proved crucial in Golden today as our Senior Footballers advanced to the last four of the County Senior Football Championship. Overnight rain made for soft conditions and although the day was bright the wind played a significant factor. Playing against it in the opening half called for hard work and Brackens were not found wanting. Time and again they turned over the South boys and never allowed them the time and space they craved. A typical Paddy Cadell drive saw him land the opening point inside four minutes. Ardfinnan had plenty of possession but some excellent defending limited them to just two points in the opening twelve minutes through Michael O'Sullivan and Billy Hewitt. Brackens forwards were living on scraps but when Jack Kennedy got his chance he sent a great ball through the middle for McBride who finished to the net. Kennedy and Michael Barlow exchanged pointed frees to leave Brackens 1-2 to 0-3 ahead at the first water break. Ardfinnan hit a purple patch after the break to land three of the next four points courtesy of Luke O'Neill, Billy Hewitt and Sean Nagle with Jack Kennedy landing a free for Brackens to leave it 1-3 to 0-6. Ardfinnan certainly had the momentum coming towards the break but Brackens showed great character here to nail the last two points of the half, both from the boot of Kennedy. Boosted by this Brackens turned to play with the breeze and kicked three points in the opening six points. A haymaker from Jordan Moloney was greeted with rapturous applause while a lovely fisted effort from Kennedy was quickly followed by another from play. Five up with the wind was a healthy position for Brackens and they looked likely winners. But when a pointed free from Michael Barlow was followed by a Darragh O'Leary goal to reduce the gap to the minimum it was game on once more. Again Brackens reacted well under pressure and a marvellous team move saw McBride billow the net for the score of the day to leave Brackens 2-8 to 1-7 ahead at the second water break. Gerry Cronin and Shane Doyle exchanged points before a Kennedy free put us five up again. A late scrambled effort saw the ball end up in the Brackens net to leave just two points between the sides in injury time but the boys withstood a couple of late Ardfinnan raids to advance to the last four. The semi-final draw takes place on Monday night where Brackens join Clonmel, Moyle Rovers and Loughmore. Repeat pairings are not allowed meaning the Red and Green are not an option. Brakens Abu.

Team and Scorers: Kuba Beben Martin Delaney Lorcan Egan Tom Murphy Adrian Bourke Neil Quinlan Jordan Moloney (0-1) Paddy Cadell (0-1) David O'Shea Shane Bourke Cathal Scully Conor Cadell Dean McEnroe Jack Kennedy (0-7, 5f) Eanna McBride (2-0). Subs Used: Shane Doyle (0-1) for O'Shea Lyndon Fairbrother for Shane Bourke Shane Scully for McEnroe.