Bray Emmets are Minor ‘B’ football champions
Four majors seal the deal
IT is often said that goals win games and that adage was the case in this MFC ‘B’ game as Bray slotted home four against AGB. It was hardly a surprise as they got five in the semi-final against St Kevin’s, although one expected more in the way of goals from AGB as they hit six past St Patrick’s in their last-four battle.
First up let’s say that the facilities at Rathnew get ten out of ten; pitch in great order, Pat Mitchell on speaker, electronic scoreboard and a tuck shop thrown in.
So, to the game. AGB played with a strong breeze in the first half but could only manage to go in at half-time on level scores, five points to 1-2 to Bray. In fairness both sides played better against the wind.
Bray probably shaded the first quarter in terms of possession with several probing runs by Finn Treacy, Evan Barry and Conor Murphy, however, with two fine points from Con Kinsella, AGB led two points to one at the first water break, the Bray point coming from a speculative ball from Tim Harrington which fell short and hopped over the bar.
Both sides had early chances after the water break, Bray keeper Luke Doyle saved from Joe McGeary, while Con Kinsella was unlucky to send wide a ball back of the upright. The other end saw a great run by Bray Finn Treacy stopped and cleared off the line by AGB corner-back Oisin Wood.
The breakthrough for Bray came on 24 minutes when Nathan Prunty set up Tim Harrington for a fine goal and they might have had another when an effort from James Healy was blocked out by resolute AGB defending none better than by full-back Adam Mullervy.
AGB bounced back with two points from Con Kinsella and one from Padraic Birmingham, while Finn Treacy replied for Bray, leaving the scores level 1-2 to five points at half-time
Immediately on the restart, Joe McGeary added an AGB point, however, the lead was short lived as Tim Harrington set up Evan Barry for a second Bray goal quickly followed by a flowing move which saw Tim Harrington point. Shortly after, Joe McGeary hit the Bray side netting, while Gavin Rochford hit the post the other end. Then in the tenth minute real misfortune for AGB as a speculative long kick from mid fielder Adam Prunty deceived the AGB defenders including keeper Sean Murphy and ended in the AGB net, Bray leading 3-3 to seven points at the second water break.
To their credit AGB battled on in the last quarter with midfielders Luke Scanlon and Patrick O’Halloran making several runs, resulting in Luke Scanlon hitting two points, however, Gavin Rochford pointed a Bray free and when Evan Barry set up Nathan Prunty for Bray goal number four, it was game, set and match to Bray.
A hugely sporting game, a credit to both teams and their mentors. Pat Mitchell presented the cup to winning Bray captain Nathan Prunty.
BRAY EMMETS: Luke Doyle; James Byrne, Fiachra O Dunai, Mark Cusack; Sean Kenny, Conor Murphy, James Healy; Adam Prunty (1-0), Finn Treacy (0-1); Michael Healy, Gavin Rochford (0-2), Tim Harrington (1-1); Nathan Prunty (1-0), Evan Barry (1-0), James Ryan. Subs: Art Whittle, Cathal Doran, Shane Baguley, Oscar Harty.
AGB: Sean Murphy; Oisin Wood, Adam Mullervy, Conor Hannon; Conor Gahan, Daire Furlong, Sean McCarthy; Luke Scanlon (0-2), Patrick O’Halloran; Chris O’Brien, Dean Farrell, Niall Dempsey; Padraic Birmingham (0-2), Joe McGeary (0-1), Con Kinsella (0-4). Subs: Oran Dunning, Roan Freehill, Sam Butler, Brandon Hanlon, Kealan Delaney.
REFEREE: Eddie Leonard (St Patrick’s)