Bracknagh snatch fortunate late win as Durrow contribute to own defeat

BRACKNAGH did very well to win a very closely contested Offaly Senior Football Championship tussle in Durrow on Saturday afternoon, though the home side contributed significantly to their own loss and let the winners off the hook.

Tullamore Court Hotel Senior Football Championship Group 2 Round 2

Bracknagh 3-11

Durrow 1-16

It was a great against the heads win by Bracknagh, who collected a point in similar circumstances in their opening round against Clara. With three points from two games, they are in a good place as they hunt down one of the two quarter-final spots from the weaker group but they are rimming it a bit and were fortunate to get the win here.

A super two pointer from Peter Cunningham three minutes into injury time gave them a two point lead and Durrow almost snatched it at the end when a Mark Troy piledriver was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Keith Keogh.

A draw would have been the fairest result here but in the wind up, former county star Peter Cunningham won it for Bracknagh. He brought them back into it with two great two point frees in the second half, got another point that looked wide and expertly stroked home a crucial penalty goal in the 58th minute after Charlie Keogh was fouled by Sam Bourke, who picked up a black card.

It was a hard defeat on Durrow who played quite well on the day and had Bracknagh on the ropes but full credit to the visitors who are showing great fighting spirit and found a way to win it.

With a few Offaly senior hurlers playing only their second football game this year, Durrow were rough around the edges and their error count was just too high. That was a huge factor in the result here and had Durrow a bit more football under their belt, they may have been able to win.

It was a mediocre enough game but the closeness of the scoring and a frantic finish rescued it for neutrals.

Playing against the wind in the first half, Bracknagh made a dream start with a punched goal from Jason Dempsey after 15 seconds and they certainly needed that as Durrow dominated most of the rest of the half. Durrow led by 0-10 to 1-3 at half time with Jack O'Brien getting two two pointers, one free. They should have been further ahead as they could have got at least a couple of goals. Brian Duignan passed to Kevin McDermott in the 11th minute when he should have went for it himself and they wasted other ball in good positions.

Colin Broderick should have got a second goal for Bracknagh in the 10th minute and a four point lead gave Durrow a fighting chance in the second half. Points from Mark Troy and Dan Bourke pushed Durrow's lead out to six by the 34th minute and Bracknagh were in trouble – Brian Duignan had a goal chance in the build up to Bourke's point but missed his kick.

Peter Cunningham led Bracknagh's revival with two great two point frees, both from a long way out and they were gifted a 40th minute goal when Jack O'Brien gave the ball away out the field and a quick move ended with Colm Cunningham giving them a 2-7 to 0-12 lead.

Durrow showed great spirit to take back the initiative. Kevin McDermott levelled up with a free and then got an excellent goal after a fine move for a 1-13 to 2-7 lead in the 45th minute. The excellent Jack Fogarty added a point to put them four ahead and Durrow were again in a winning position.

They made too many mistakes in the closing quarter, giving the ball away too easily and they ended up paying a dear price for this – not all of these mistakes were by “hurlers” and manager Shane Curran will be very conscious of that when he reflects on the game.

Points from Anthony Cunningham and Peter Cunningham (that one would need a second look to be certain it was over) kept Bracknagh alive before Mark Troy's 57th minute free put Durrow three clear. Cunningham's penalty goal levelled it up in the 58th minute and neither side would have complained if the final whistle blew on the 60. As it was Brian Gavin played nearly five minutes of injury time and Bracknagh sort of fell across the line.

MATCH ANALYSIS

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MAN OF THE MATCH

Peter Cunningham (Bracknagh): Bracknagh dug deep as a unit but won mainly because of the contribution of one man, Peter Cunningham. He was closely marked by Ciaran Burke, who did well on him for the most part but when it mattered, Cunningham got the big scores and his ability to deliver under pressure was the reason Bracknagh won.

The other man of the match contenders wore Durrow jerseys and that tells it own story. Jack Fogarty would have been the choice if Durrow won or drew as he gave a real tour-de-force at midfield. Mark Troy had a great game in their attack while Brian Duignan almost had an excellent game – he played really well but was not clinical in front of goals and had he been even 10% sharper in this regard, Durrow probabaly would have won.

Dan Bourke had an excellent second half for Durrow while Tom Hyland defended very well for Bracknagh.

THE SCORERS

Bracknagh: Peter Cunningham 1-7 (goal from a penalty, 2 x 2pf and 1 x 2p), Jason Dempsey and Colm Cunningham 1-0 each, Mikey Cunningham 0-2 (1f), Anthony Cunningham and Eoghan Geoghegan 0-1 each.

Durrow: Kevin McDermott 1-4 (4f), Mark Troy (1f) and Jack O'Brien (1 x 2pf, 1 x 2p) 0-4 each, Jack Fogarty, Dan Bourke, Brian Duignan, Steven Doran 0-1 each.

THE TEAMS

DURROW: Dermot Colbert; Sean Hughes, Oisin Cusack, Michael McDermott; Gavin Hand, Ciaran Burke, Jack O'Brien; Jack Fogarty, Ross Ravenhill; Aaron Maher Dan Bourke, Steven Doran; Mark Troy, Brian Duignan, Kevin McDermott. Subs – Sam Bourke for Michael McDermott (HT), Liam Clavin for Doran (60m)

BRACKNAGH: Keith Keogh; Fionn Dempsey, Tom Hyland, Eoin Hyland; Charlie Keogh, Anthony Cunningham, David Costello; Mark Dunne, Colm Cunningham; Jason Dempsey, Peter Cunningham, Eoghan Geoghegan; Colin Broderick, Mikey Cunningham, Conor Melia. Subs – Adam Kelly for Broderick (38m), Alex Broderick for Eoin Hyland, inj. (42m),

Refereee – Brian Gavin, Clara.

REFEREE WATCH

Brian Gavin refereed it well. He consulted well with his officials and got the vast majority of calls right. Linesman Stephen Connolly certainly should have summoned Gavin after furious protests by Bracknagh manager Ronan Murphy after one second half foul and they could not have said a thing if a free was awarded to Durrow for that. A second half point from Peter Cunningham certainly looked dodgy from the stand as it was very close to going wide at the near post.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Peter Cunningham's two point winner showed what a player like this can bring to a team. He had the space to carry it forward but stayed outside the arc and had the confidence to arrow it over – had he went inside for the one point, Mark Troy's last gasp score would have drawn it.

VENUE WATCH

The early 2.30pm throw in affected the crowd and was not ideal on a Saturday but it may have suited one of the clubs while the Competitions Control Committee were correct with the fixture as they were facilitating people who wanted to see all three senior football games. Their pitch was good and they had their usual quota of very good stewards.

WHAT'S NEXT

Durrow play Ballycommon while Bracknagh have their bye in round 3.

STATISTICS

Wides: Durrow - 6 (6 in first half); Bracknagh – 9 (3 in first half).

Yellow cards: Durrow – 3 (Ross Ravenhill, Sean Hughes, Oisin Cusack); Bracknagh – 2 (Jason Dempsey, Mikey Cunningham).

Black cards: Durrow – 1 (Sam Bourke).

Red cards: 0