Bracknagh and Shamrocks share points in high stakes first round shootout

WHILE both will have been disappointed not to get the win, particularly Bracknagh, a draw was in many ways an ideal result in an engrossing Offaly Senior Football Championship first round shootout in Walsh Island on Friday evening.

Tullamore Court Hotel Senior Football Championship Group 2

Bracknagh 1-12

Shamrocks 2-9

For a first round tie, the stakes were as high as they could possibly be here and supporters were treated to an exciting game that was contested with all the fervour of knockout football.

With Rhode and Edenderry in the same group, this was a must win game for Bracknagh and Shamrocks. The bottom team in each group goes into the relegation play off with the top one into a semi-final and next two into the quarter-finals. This was effectively a game to decide third and fourth place and there was a hint of justice about the result as it keeps both very much alive.

Shocks are always possible but if results go as expected in the remaining two rounds, then Bracknagh and Shamrocks will remain tied on one point and scoring difference will determine where they go – this means that both have to perform to their maximum in the next two games and it will be very interesting to watch it all unfold.

The presence of two of the best players in Offaly on opposing teams here added to the drama and quality.

Nigel Dunne was brilliant for Shamrocks, getting 1-3 of his 1-8 from play and causing consternation in the Bracknagh defence every time the ball went in. His second half goal and a later point from out on the left wing were breathtaking and while Dunne could not have prospered without the fierce work ethic of his team mates, Shamrocks would not have survived without him. Now heading into his late 30s, Dunne came back for Offaly this year and is playing some of the best football of his long career. Age may be a factor in this as he is no longer trying to do too much and instead of tracking out the field and holding up the ball, he is conserving energy, holding his position and almost always doing the right thing – as well as allowing his real strength, his deadly finishing to flourish.

Peter Cunningham was also instrumental in Bracknagh getting a result. Playing at midfield, he was tightly marked and closed down but still scored 1-6, 1-3 from play. His punched goal eleven minutes from time was magnificent and he really dictated the game in the second half. Bracknagh will be the more disappointed not to have won as they had ample chances late on to snatch it with the strong wind on their back but they had all nine of their wides in the second half and a handful of those came in the dying minutes. Cunningham could have won it with two frees that he put well wide and with a strong wind supporting him, you would have backed him to get at least one.

Bracknagh did have more scoring threat as five players scored while Shamrocks were very reliant on Dunne for scores up front.

The entertainment levels were high here and full credit to two understrength teams – Shamrocks were the more severely hit, down ten from last year including many of their best footballers (Sean O'Toole, Jack Bryant, Kieran Dolan, David O'Toole, Alan Heffernan, Paddy Dunican would all be automatic starters). The five Bracknagh were missing from last year was almost as severe for a small rural club occupying a corner of a parish.

With first use of the wind, Shamrocks made a dream start with a Darragh Bryant goal after a few seconds. They were the better team for much of the first half, leading by 1-3 to 0-2 after fourteen minutes. Bracknagh finally clicked into life with four points without reply to level it up after 20 minutes.

Nigel Dunne rose to the challenge, getting Shamrocks final four points of the half, two from play, for a 1-7 to 0-7 half time lead.

The wind seemed to pick up in the second half and it was inevitable that this would go down to the wire. After an early Peter Cunningham, free, Nigel Dunne brought the Shamrocks support to their feet with a sensational 37th minute goal. He slipped Ciaran Donnelly and blasted a fierce shot to the roof of the net to give them a 2-7 to 0-8 lead.

Bracknagh showed great character to respond. They got another run of four points to bring it back to a point, 0-12 to 2-7 with thirteen minutes left. Nigel Dunne's superb point from the right wing opened a two point gap.

Then up popped Peter Cunningham in the 49th minute, timing his run to brother Mikey's dropping ball to perfection and meeting it with full power to set the net bulging.Suddenly Bracknagh were a point up and the game was there to be won but instead, they didn't score again. Dunne got the final equaliser from a 53rd minute free and it was Bracknagh who had all the late chances to win it. Instead they kicked five wides to let a relieved Shamrocks off the hook, even if a defeat would have been very harsh on them.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Nigel Dunne (Shamrocks): Nigel Dunne was the decisive influence in this game and the main reason Shamrocks were not beaten. He was on fire as he scored 1-8, 1-3 from play. David Costello and Peter Cunningham were a contender for Bracknagh. Costello's tigerish defending, energy and use of the ball was especially important when they were not going well in the first half. While Cunningham was tightly marshalled, he really rallied the forces and more or less did what Dunne did, scoring 1-6, 1-3 from play. The only black mark against him was that he missed late frees that would have won it.

THE SCORERS

Shamrocks: Nigel Dunne 1-8 (5f), Darragh Bryant 1-0, Dan Heffernan 0-1.

Bracknagh: Peter Cunningham 1-6 (4f), Mikey Cunningham and Joe Costello 0-2 each, Sean Dempsey and Robin Galbraith 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

SHAMROCKS: Mark O'Rourke; Jack Watkins, Luke Molloy, Sean Mooney; Shane O'Toole-Greene, Gary Hutchinson, David O'Rourke; Andrew Delaney, Neil Minnock; Dan Heffernan, Dylan Hutchisnon, Adam Keyes; Darragh Bryant, Nigel Dunne, Eoghan Neville. Subs – Darragh Daly for Bryant (57m).

BRACKNAGH: Keith Keogh; David Costello, Tom Hyland, Eoin Hyland; Ciaran Donnelly, Anthony Cunningham, Sean Dempsey; Mark Dunne, Jason Dempsey; Mikey Cunningham, Joe Costello, Peter Cunningham; Colin Broderick, Eoghan Geoghegan, Robin Galbraith. Subs – Conor Melia for Geoghegan (42m), Dillon Broderick for Eoin Hyland (42m), Josh Maher for Colin Broderick, 55m).

Referee – Chris Dywer (Clara).

REFEREE WATCH

Chris Dywer had a good game. He was consistent, fair and there were no major flash points or debates. Five minutes injury time at the end of the first half did seem questionable. Shamrocks' goalkeeper Mark O'Rourke probably should have been asked to change his jersey as it was not clearly distinguishable from team mates – the Shamrocks jersey is green on top, red on the bottom with the goalie the other way around but at a quick glance, it was hard to tell them apart.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Peter Cunningham's 49th minute goal gave Bracknagh the lead at a stage when it looked like the game could slip from them.

VENUE WATCH

There was heavy rain made during the day but the Walsh Island pitch was remarkably dry and solid. The host club had ample stewards, managed traffic efficiently and there were no issues.

WHAT'S NEXT

Shamrocks play Rhode and Bracknagh meet Edenderry on July 28.

STATISTICS

Wides: Shamrocks – 6 (5 in first half); Bracknagh - 9 (0 in first half).

Yellow cards: Bracknagh – 1 (Mikey Cunningham); Shamrocks – 0.

Black cards: 0.

Red cards: 0.