Six of the best from JK Brackens in annihilation of Templederry

FBD Insurance Senior Hurling Championship - Group 4 - Round 1

JK Brackens   6-26

Templederry Kenyons  3-20

By Ronan Loughnane

JK Brackens produced their highest-scoring performance since returning to the Dan Breen ranks in 2020 as they comfortably saw off a disappointing Templederry Kenyons challenge in a well-prepared Bishop Quinlan Park in Borrisoleigh on Saturday afternoon. 

50/50 was the general consensus ahead of the throw-in, a prediction that went out the window from an early stage as Brackens started like a train. Lyndon Fairbrother and Jamie Ormond landed points within 43 seconds before Padraic O’Leary opened Kenyon’s account in the third minute. 

Brackens brought much more energy to the contest and seemed to find space at will with Eanna McBride, Jamie Ormond, and Fairbrother all finding the target by the seventh minute. Colm Murray and Sean Ryan replied from play for Kenyons before Fairbrother grabbed the first of Brackens’ six majors in the 9th minute following a great sally forward from Paddy Cadell. Brackens added three more through Fairbrother (2) and Shane Doyle in reply to Mikie Ryan and a Darragh Carey boomer for Kenyons to leave Brackens 1-8 to 0-5 ahead at the end of the opening quarter. 

Brackens’ hard running was causing endless problems for Kenyons resulting in a quartet of yellow cards by half-time. Shane Doyle added his second and Paddy Cadell his first in reply to a Colm Murray free in the 18th minute. Jamie Ormond put Brackens ten up in the 19th minute with goal number two before Brian Stapleton pointed from distance a minute later. 

Templederry were taking a lot of water onboard by now and Brackens continued to push forward with Fairbrother (2), Michael Cahill, Ormond, Doyle, and McBride all adding points before the break. Templederry’s reply was sporadic through points from Padraig Hogan, Liam McCutcheon, and a Murray free to leave them trailing 2-16 to 0-10 at the break.

The neutrals in the crowd hoped for a strong Kenyons opening to the second period and when Mikie Ryan and O’Leary both pointed inside the opening three minutes they wondered if there was something afoot. 

Michael Cahill had other ideas however and he bagged Brackens’ third major a minute later. And even though Sean Ryan replied in kind immediately to give Templederry a further boost, one felt that Brackens always had enough in hand to keep any challenge at bay. Further points from Fairbrother (2) and Doyle were added to by a Ned Walsh goal in reply to three Templederry minors from Sean Ryan (2) and Gearoid Ryan. 

Brackens were now 4-20 to 1-15 ahead at the three-quarter stage and were not for catching. The game petered out somewhat after that as both sides added two goals apiece, McBride and Walsh for Brackens, Sean Ryan and Brian Stapleton for Kenyons. The game was well over as a contest before Kevin Jordan brought proceedings to a halt with Brackens 15 points to the good. 

Hurling is a different game nowadays with pace and space key to success. Brackens’ running game worked well on Saturday and they always seemed to have a man over. There will be harder tests ahead however and days when space will be at a premium. But to score 6-26 in the opening round will be very pleasing considering Andrew Ormond failed a late fitness test and this now sets them up nicely for a tilt with Clonoulty in the next round.

They had a real battle in last year's relegation semi-final and another tight contest is anticipated. The Cadell brothers exerted a strong influence in the back line as did Eanna McBride at midfield. The forward unit functioned well as a unit and Brackens will be particularly pleased with the performance of their younger players Michael Cahill, Ned Walsh, and Jamie Ormond. 

This was a very disappointing day for Templederry following their strong showing in the North championship. They never got to the pitch of the game and allowed Brackens far too much space and time on the ball. Their task doesn’t get any easier in round two as they face County Champions Kiladangan in a repeat of the North semi-final. 

They have plenty of experience on their side however and will relish the challenge of bringing down their Northern counterparts. Darragh Carey, Brian Stapleton, Mikie Ryan, and Sean Ryan (final quarter) fared best on the day.  

JK Brackens:  Jack Kennedy; Luke Ormond, Cathal Scully, Tom Murphy; Jordan Moloney, Paddy Cadell (0-1), Ned Delaney; Eanna McBride (1-4), Dean McEnroe; Jamie Ormond (1-5), Shane Doyle (0-5), Conor Cadell; Ned Walsh (2-1), Lyndon Fairbrother (1-9, 0-6f, 0-1 ‘65), Michael Cahill (1-1).

Subs used: James Corcoran for Delaney; Stephen Cahill for Walsh; Walsh for Fairbrother (inj).

Templederry Kenyons: Tim McCutcheon; Padraig Hogan (0-1), Chris Coughlan, Dale Donnelly; Darragh Carey (0-1), Brian Stapleton (1-2), Tom Stapleton; Gearoid Ryan (0-1), Liam McCutcheon (0-1); Colm Murray (0-5, 0-4f), Padraic O’Leary (0-2), Paidi Ryan; Mikie Ryan (0-2), Sean Ryan (2-5), Eanna Murray. 

Subs used:  Pio Kennedy for Paidi Ryan; Conor Looby for O’Leary; Sean Collins for Mikie Ryan.

Referee: Kevin Jordan (Thurles Gaels)