Edenderry forced to dig deep to edge out battling Bracknagh in entertaining shootout

EDENDERRY were pushed the whole way by a fired up Bracknagh in a hugely entertaining Division 1 Football League semi-final that had a championship like bite and intensity to it at Walsh Island on Saturday evening.

Division 1 Football League semi-final

Edenderry 3-16

Bracknagh 2-13

While they were the better team on the evening and had more players performing at a consistently high level than Bracknagh, Edenderry were somewhat flattered by their winning margin and the scoreline does not reflect how competitive the underdogs were here almost all the way.

It brings an end to an excellent league run by Bracknagh, who benefited from not having a player on the Offaly senior football panel this year as they were able to field a near full strength team in most of their games. They were only reprieved from championship relegation last year as the number of senior football teams was increased but their league run and their performance here will serve them very well, sending them into the championship in a very positive frame of mind in a few weeks.

Edenderry now find themselves in the final against the winners of Tullamore and Ferbane and are clearly in good heath, moving well and with intent and drive. When there were moves to hold up the league to allow clubs field their county players if Offaly stayed going in the Tailteann Cup a couple of weeks ago, Edenderry to their immense credit took the high ground and insisted on it proceeding without them.

As things turned out, Kildare ended Offaly's Tailteann Cup campaign and Edenderry were able to field their full complement for the first time this year. They would have been unlikely to have won this game without their county players as Jordan Hayes exerted a huge influence, Lee Pearson was rock solid on the full back line and Rory Egan had his hands full on Peter Cunningham at times but still played his part, driving out with very important ball.

Another player of county standard Cian Farrell was also hugely important to their win. Farrell has had a very love hate relationship with county football in the past couple of years, opting out of the panel in the early stages this year and he was clearly hungry to show what he can offer here. Hungry for the ball, he scored 1-10, 1-6 from play, including a two pointer and that was a pivotal contribution in a tight game.

Bracknagh's key players also went well as Peter Cunningham caused palpitations in the Edenderry defence and sideline every time he got the ball, though the winners did well to crowd him out in the second half – doing what they had to do to win the game by limiting his influence and room to manoeuvre. His brother Mikey was also very good while younger brother Colm Cunningham played very well at times. Mark Dunne was superb at midfield for them in the first half, ensuring Bracknagh broke even while Conor Melia, the Offaly U20 football goalkeeper who was handed an attacking role here, created a buzz of excitement and real openings when he did run at Edenderry at pace.

Playing with the wind in the first half, Bracknagh were the better team and in no way deserved to go in trailing by 3-4 to 1-8 at the break. Edenderry had plenty of possession but Bracknagh were more clinical up front, taking the bulk of their chances.

The losers fully deserved to be 0-4 to 0-2 up after 13 minutes and Edenderry grabbed the lead two minutes later with a punched Aaron Murphy goal after Cian Farrell's shot dropped short. Bracknagh's response was superb. Mikey Cunningham replied instantly with a great two pointer and Jason Dempsey got the first of his two goals in the 25^th minute after a scintillating Conor Melia run through the heart of the Edenderry defence. Peter Cunnigham floated over a wonderful two pointer to give Bracknagh a 1-8 to 1-3 lead with the interval approaching and they were in a very strong position.

Unfortunately, it unravelled for them before the break as Cian Farrell converted a new rules free and then punched a 30^th minute goal after Harry Goulding made a great surge forward. The concession of a third goal a minute later was a pure disaster for Bracknagh, Rory Egan finishing after being set up by county colleague Lee Pearson.

A two point free from Cian Farrell and a fantastic Jordan Hayes two pointer from play saw Edenderry open up a 3-11 to 1-9 gap after 39 minutes and it looked all over.

Bracknagh showed great character and resolve to get back into it. They scored 1-2 without reply between the 42^nd and 44^th minutes, Jason Dempsey netting the goal after latching onto a breaking ball. Suddenly the gap was a goal and Edenderry were under wicked pressure, as their manager Richie Dalton grimaced on the line.

Bracknagh had a great chance to level it up in the 45^th minute when Cormac Curley made a super save from Colm Cunningham, though it really should have been a goal. Edenderry were on icy ground, crying out for a score and Sean Doyle missed a scoreable free before Cian Farrell settled them with a 50^th minute free. Peter Cunningham kept the gap at a goal with a free at the other end but Edenderry found another gear to win it from here. An excellent Cian Farrell two pointer knocked the wind out of Bracknagh's sails and Edenderry outscored them by 0-2 to 0-1 late on for a very hard earned win.

MATCH ANALYSIS

MAN OF THE MATCH

Jordan Hayes (Edenderry): Cian Farrell was an obvious candidate for Edenderry and his finishing was clinical while another contender was an unsung defence hero Adam Mahon. He may not have caught the eye in the way the current and former county stars did on both sides but he was a great example of a man doing his job, tackling diligently, turning over ball and using it efficiently.

Jordan Hayes gets the nod. Having the best year of his footballing life and in the best shape of his career, he got through a mountain of work, leading the line from centre half forward. He drifted back to win breaks at midfield and made great breaks forward. His work rate and closing down also caught the eye and he had an excellent game.

THE SCORERS

Edenderry: Cian Farrell 1-10 (1 2p free, 1f, 1 mark and 1 2p), Rory Egan and Aaron Murphy 1-0 each, Sean Doyle (1f) and Jordan Hayes (1 2p) 0-2 each, Mason Farrell and Mark Abbott 0-1 each.

Bracknagh: Jason Dempsey 2-0, Peter Cunningham 0-6 (1 2p, 2f), Mikey Cunningham 0-5 (1 2p and 2f), Eoghan Geoghegan and Conor Melia 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

EDENDERRY: Cormac Curley; Lee Pearson, Eoin Dunne, Adam Mahon; Dylan Byrne, Rory Egan, Harry Goulding; David Maloney, Aaron Murphy; Cian Murphy, Jordan Hayes, Cillian Lowry; Mason Farrell, Cian Farrell, Sean Doyle. Subs – Cillian Foran for Mason Farrell (39m), Colm Byrne for Dunne (42m), Liam Farrell for Dylan Byrne (57m), Mark Abbott for C ian Murphy (57m), Kaelem Bryan for Doyle (62m).

BRACKNAGH: Keith Keogh; Adam Kelly, Tom Hyland, Charlie Keogh; Rickie Geoghegan, Fionn Dempsey, Sean Dempsey; Mark Dunne, Jason Dempsey; Eoghan Geohegan, Peter Cunningham, Colm Cunningham; Josh Maher, Mikey Cunningham, Conor Melia. Sub – Eoin Hyland for Maher (44m).

Referee – Chris Dwyer (Clara).

REFEREE WATCH

Chris Dwyer worked hard to keep control of a very hard hitting and competitive game. He was up to date with the new rules and in microphone contact with linesmen and umpires. He had only one umpire at the country goal for the first 15 minutes and that shouldn't happen – the one umpire was under pressure and waved one obvious '45' wide, though linesman Martin Carty quickly told the referee a mistake had been made and it was corrected – and a second umpire came in on the 15 minutes.

There were some frees missed but it very much balanced out and there was no big flash points in a solid refereeing display.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Edenderry's two goals in first half injury time gave them the platform for the win but Cormac Curley's save from Colm Cunningham in the second half was as important. A goal would have levelled it up at a crucial stage and Bracknagh were exerting fierce pressure. The suspicion is that Edenderry would still have found a way to win it but Bracknagh would have had serious momentum at that stage and you never know.

VENUE WATCH

Walsh Island's pitch was in good shape and they managed the fixture very efficiently.

WHAT'S NEXT

Edenderry play Tullamore or Ferbane in the final.

STATISTICS

Wides: Edenderry – 7 (4 in first half); Bracknagh – 4 (3 in first half).

Yellow cards: 0.

Black cards: 0.

Red cards: 0.