Brickey Rangers' John Morrissey lays the ball off under pressure from Killrossanty's Patrick Cunningham. Photo: Michael Kiely
Three goals in the space of 18 second-half minutes helped secure victory for the Brickeys on Saturday last at Fraher Field when they overcame the challenge of pre-championship favourites Kilrossanty by eight points in the County Minor Football Division 3 final.
In a game that was very stop-start because of the huge amount of frees against both sides for persistent fouling it no surprise that neither side finished the game with a full quota. The winners’ full-back Jack O’Donnell was first to see the line and he was followed soon afterwards by Paudi O Cadhla and then Pat Cunningham from Kilrossanty, all as a result of picking up a second yellow card within the last five minutes.
Rangers held a 0-5 to 0-4 lead at the break. Diarmuid Tobin, Conor Walsh, Christopher Murphy and John Morrissey all got on the scoresheet for them in the opening 30 minutes. Kilrossanty’s best player on the night, Kieran Power struck three times, with Patrick Cunningham also registering for the Comeragh club.
The victors’ first goal came six minutes into the second half when John Morrissey struck a free from the 45m line which found Tadhg Tobin and he planted the ball past Dylan Hogan.
Eight minutes later minutes later Christopher Murphy went on a good solo run for the Brickeys and gave Hogan no chance with a well-executed shot.
The Brickeys all but wrapped up the game with a third goal. John Morrissey’s effort at a point dropped over the head of Hogan and under the crossbar to give them a 3-8 to 0-7 advantage.
Although Kilrossanty did come more into the game in the latter stages, with Paul Whyte popping over three points in quick succession, it was too little too late.
