BRUREE 0-15
CROAGH/KILFINNY 2-22
Venue: Kevin Long Park, Feenagh.
They say familiarity breeds contempt. Having met four times in as many years, it certainly seemed the case for Bruree here, who were fortunate to only finish this fixture with 14 men. In truth, this game was long over before Bruree half back Pa Deady received a second yellow card approaching second half injury time. Croagh led by 12 at that point. And yet it seemed likely to be a much closer affair in the gameâs opening quarter, where the Maiguesiders had built up a 0-7 to 0-2 lead.
Four Sam Cronolly points (3f) allied to a brace from corner forward Paddy Lynch and a Conor Frawley point, saw Bruree take the game to CK early on. Croagh, hampered by poor shooting, had only two points to show in that period, long range points from half back Seamie Lenihan and star forward Cian OâCarroll.
Cronolly caused the CK rearguard all sort of bother when he ran at them, drifting out into the half line mostly. When he wasnât scoring, he was assisting. Bruree almost goaled when Cian Sheehy blocked out Frankie Barringtonâs high effort on 23 minutes. It was an important save, as thereafter, the efforts on goal slowly started to stick for CK, and by the 25th minute mark, they had clawed it back to a two point deficit, 0-9 to 0-7. Points by Andrew Meade and Jack Lenihan drew CK level at nine points apiece before the teams retired for half time.
There followed a mere procession in the second half. Croagh went 13-9 ahead before Bruree scored their first point in 15 minutes through midfielder Conor Frawley. That was in the 37th minute, and Croaghâs response was to hit the net; Andrew Meade leaving marker Shane Feane & full back Pa Carey in his wake to blast home at keeper Fionn OâBrienâs near post. It was pure pace from Meade. That made it 1-13 to 0-9 and now all momentum was with Croagh.
Seven further OâCarroll points (4f) put the game out of Brureeâs reach. Brian Hannan knocked over 0-4 from play, all of which could have been âscore of the gameâ contenders; Hannan had a great tussle all day with Bruree veteran Kieran OâRourke.
Bruree picked up four yellow cards during the game, with Deady eventually receiving his marching orders for a pull around Adam Shanagherâs neck. Jimmy OâDea was very fortunate not to have picked up a second yellow when he gave Conor Lenihan the butt of his hurl. There was always that kind of niggle in a game that saw plenty timber flying. It was just a case of shear frustration for Bruree, who gassed out early in the second period. They couldnât match Croaghâs approach play or fitness. Croaghâs decision to move Barry Lenihan into the half back line just before the break really quelled the threat of Sam Cronolly. From there on, Brureeâs main threat was anonymous.
The game was ended as a contest when Brian Flynn blasted a pile driver past OâBrien for Croaghâs second goal on 55 minutes. Bruree were the architects of their own undoing, as having won a free, had it overturned through indiscipline. Ref Kieran Guina threw in the ball, it was fed out to Seamus Hickey, who drew the defence and passed to Flynn. The finish from 20 yards was emphatic.
Second best for most of the game, Bruree still had decent performers in the Cronolly brothers, Sam and Tommy. Conor Frawley was busy as ever at midfield. Paddy Lynch and Kieran OâRourke also held their own.
For Croagh/Kilfinny, several players impressed. Cian OâCarroll, Seamie Lenihan, Barry Lenihan, Brian Hannan and Jack Lenihan were all MOTM contenders. Others to impress for Croagh were keeper Cian Sheehy, Aidan OâShea, Adam Shanagher, Andrew Meade and James Lanigan.
Scorers for Croagh/Kilfinny: Cian OâCarroll 0-13 (9f), Brian Hannan 0-4, Andrew Meade 1-1, Brian Flynn 1-0, Jack Lenihan 0-2, Seamie Lenihan 0-1, Seamus Hickey 0-1.
Scorers for Bruree: Sam Cronolly 0-5 (4f), Paddy Lynch 0-2, Conor Frawley 0-2, Tommy Cronolly 0-2, Kieran OâDea 0-1, Jonathan Fitzpatrick 0-1, Ronan OâHalloran 0-1, Sam
Williams 0-1 (f).
Wide Count: Bruree 10, Croagh/Kilfinny 15.
Star Man: Jack Lenihan (Croagh/Kilfinny) - wearing 14 on his back, but operating on the 40, Jack Lenihan was outstanding. Linked play with some lovely passing, won dirty ball and hit two fine points.
Ref watch: Kieran Guina (Feohanagh) generally reffed it well and let the game flow where he could. His only blemish was not issuing a red to Brureeâs Jimmy OâDea for an off the ball strike on Conor Lenihan.