Bray cruise to final
Strong Emmets see off Magpies
BRAY EMMETS are having a great year on the hurling and football fields of Wicklow and no mistake.
Just over a week ago they retained their Senior hurling crown in convincing style while their Minor hurlers were narrowly beaten in their final after a titanic tussle with North Western Gaels.
On Saturday it was the turn of their Junior footballers to show their mettle as they qualified for the Junior ‘B’ final following an eight-point win over near neighbours and keen rivals Newtown in a combative and at times feisty contest.
This was a much better and more evenly balanced game of football than the first semi-final and now Bray Emmets will face off against Arklow Geraldines/ Ballymoney in the final.
Corner-forward Ronan Cunningham drew first blood for Bray with a point from the right on five minutes, but with Newtown constantly pressing forward early on Michael Heffernan equalised minutes later.
David Nesbitt converted a free for the Emmets but John Halpin restored parity once more, punching over from a perfectly placed cross from the left touchline by Sean Odlum.
With wing forward Conor Callanan showing strongly, Newtown were setting a lot of the pace in the first half but they were not reaping a good return from their work.
Approaching the water-break, Bray landed their first sucker punch. Ronan Cunningham floated in high from left and wing forward Ross McEnespie squeezed the ball in at the far post. The winners ahead 1-3 to 0-2 at the water-break.
Dermot Masterson replaced the Injured Ronan Cunningan and made his mark. Midfielders Liam Benville and Mark Cullen were feeding profitably off each other and Ishmael Mnensa was showing signs of potential.
Bray stretched their lead at half-time to 1-5 to 0-3, the Newtown point in response by Sean Odlum was one of the best scores of the half.
After the restart, Mark Cullen pointed a 45 to increase the Bray lead but Newtown were not prepared the show the white feather, at least not just yet. Sean Odlum snapped up a breaking ball and sent a pile-driver to the Bray net. Game on again.
A bizarre situation then unfold
ed. Play was held up as an injured Bray man received attention. Bray protested when Newtown resumed with a full complement of 15 although a Newtown man had been censured by the referee.
But it was subsequently revealed that the Newtown man had in fact been substituted prior to referee’s censure which was for an indiscretion as he walked off the pitch. Sub Padraig Doyle pointed for Bray who were ahead 1-9 to 1-3 at the second water-break
Things settled and the game finished as it should in a good competitive and combative spirit. Newtown kept up the chase with an early point by substitute James Sinnott. As the battle continued, both sides emptied their benches.
Bray put the result beyond all doubt in the 58th minute when sub and Senior hurler Padraig Doyle drilled home a second goal. Barry Davis responded with a point for the Magpies but Bray Emmets had the last say with David Nesbitt raising the final white flag for a 2-10 to 1-5 victory.
BRAY EMMETS: Paul O’Keeffe; Mark Lenihan, Jack Treacy, Philip Haughton; Ronan Twohig, Dara Ó Hannaidh, Finn Greene; Liam Benville, Mark Cullen (0-3, one 45); Alan Cleary, John O’Keeffe, Ross McEnespie (1-1); David Nesbitt (0-4, 1f), Ishmael Mnensa, Ronan Cunningham (0-1). Subs: Colin Clarke for J O’Keeffe, Jamie Queenie for I Mnensa, Dermot Masterson for R Cunninham, David Martin for Padraig Doyle (1-1) for R McEnespie.
Trevor O’Brien; James Lennon, Tom Nolan, Stuart Sinnott; Ciaran Doherty, Michael Heffernan (0-1), Justin Owens; Aaron Toner, Ciaran McGuirl; Dylan Carthy, Barry Davis (0-1), Conor Callanan; Sean Odlum (1-1), John Halpin (0-1), Luke Martin. Subs: Simon Wilson for T O’Brien, Tom Maher for L Martin, James Sinnott (0-1) for J Lennon, Wayne Hamilton for S Odlum, Terry Murphy for C Doherty.
Darragh Byrne (Ballymanus)