Clonmel Commercials 6-07 JK Brackens 2-06
Clonmel Commercials ripped JK Brackens asunder with six goals to saunter to a record-equalling 21st Tipperary SFC title.
The victors made light of the absence of top scorer Jack Kennedy, a late withdrawal, as Seánie O'Connor blasted 2-03, while Michael Quinlivan added 1-02 and was centrally involved in three further goals.
Tipperary hurler Seamus Kennedy raised the O’Dwyer Cup as Commercials jump joint top of the roll of honour alongside Fethard, who have headed that list as the county’s most successful football club for 100 years since 1923.
They will now target a first Munster title since 2015 with the Limerick champions, Adare or Newcastle West, up next.
It was a repeat of the 2019 Premier decider, won by 21 points by Commercials, and while this year’s gap was 13, it was no less devastating.
Quinlivan started in midfield for the throw-in but he hugged the left wing thereafter and cut onto his right boot to devastating effect. He had two early points and was fouled for two more O’Connor frees.
Colman Kennedy then found O’Connor with a floated pass over the final defender and he was hauled down by Martin Delaney for a penalty. Tipp sub-keeper Kuba Beben saved Quinlivan’s spot kick but the rebound came straight back for the 2016 All-Star to rattle the net.
Brackens full-back Lorcan Egan was black-carded for checking Quinlivan’s off-the-ball run in the 13th minute and Commercials struck for 2-01 in the subsequent two minutes.
Both goals came from opposition kick-outs. Peter McGarry slotted the first after two dummy handpasses created the space and O’Connor finished the second after a quick exchange between Quinlivan and Colman Kennedy.
It was 3-05 to 0-02 but Commercials wouldn’t score in the second quarter. Brackens pulled back a goal with a slice of luck, Éanna McBride’s shot coming back off the post and Adrian Bourke pulling the loose ball to the net.
It was almost four goals on the spin when Colman Kennedy struck the crossbar within a minute but Brackens settled with two long-range points from Dean McEnroe, the injury-doubt’s last act before being subbed off, and their own Jack Kennedy.
3-05 to 1-04 at halfway and two more goals to come within four minutes of the restart.
Pádraic Looram was teed up by James Morris to send Commercials 10 clear but Brackens goal-scorer Bourke was clipped by Jamie Peters for a penalty. Jack Kennedy emphatically dispatched it just under the crossbar.
Looram turned provider for the next goal. Quinlivan was involved too and O’Connor again provided the finish. 5-06 to 2-05 now.
It was six when Quinlivan beat four defenders and squared for Cathal Deely to punch home. Only a Beban save denied O’Connor his hat trick and Commercials a seventh.
CLONMEL COMMERCIALS: M O’Reilly; T Condon, Seamus Kennedy, R O’Dowd; K Fahey, J Morris, P Looram (1-00); Conal Kennedy, M Quinlivan (1-02); P McGarry (1-00), R Peters, Cathal Deely (1-00); C Smith, Colman Kennedy (0-02), S O’Connor (2-03, 0-02f).
Subs: J Peters for R Peters (h-t), A Matassa for Conal Kennedy (38), Seán Kennedy for Smith (46), C Cannon for Fahey (50), D Nee for Morris (55).
JK BRACKENS: K Beban; L Ormond, L Egan, M Delaney; S Cahill, N Quinlan, J Nevin (0-01); P Cadell, A Bourke (1-00); É McBride (0-01), C Scully, C Cadell; L Fairbrother, J Kennedy (1-03, 1-00 pen, 0-02f), D McEnroe (0-01).
Subs: S Doyle for McEnroe (25), J Moloney for Scully (h-t), A Ormond for Fairbrother (39), D O’Shea for Egan (48), S Scully for McBride (55).
Referee: D O’Mahoney (Ardfinnan).
