Brownstown qualify for Leinster quarter-final after hard-earned win
Brownstown 0-19, Burren Rangers 1-12
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Brownstown’s Philip Gilsenan comes out of defence with the ball in Saturday’s Leinster JHC game at Netwatch Cullen Park.Image 2 of 5
Conor Shaw, Brownstown, puts in a challenge on Conor Bolger.Image 3 of 5
Tom Flynn, Brownstown, gets away from this challenge.Image 4 of 5
Emmet Cunneen, Brownstown sends the ball forward.Image 5 of 5
Brownstown’s Tom Flynn on the attack.Brownstown emerged victorious over 14-man Burren Rangers in a fiercely contested Leinster Junior Hurling Championship clash at Netwatch Cullen Park, Carlow on Saturday, in round one of the Leinster Junior Hurling Championship.
Having trailed by four points at the break, Brownstown dug really deep to emerge with the spoils in the second half against a Burn Rangers side that was reduced to 14 men just before the half-time. Having been rocked with the concession of an early goal, the Westmeath intermediate champions will be pleased with the manner of their response.
Brownstown will now face St Feichin’s of Louth at the Gaelic Grounds, Drogheda next Saturday, November 16, in the quarter-final and there will be much anticipation about that game this week.
This was a hard-earned win for the men from Clonmellon. The game was intense and hard-hitting, with a referee who allowed the play to flow, enhancing the spectacle. However, a critical refereeing decision had a significant impact on the final outcome, one that left little room for protest.
In fact, if there were any questions about the decision to dismiss Burren Rangers’ midfielder Conor Bolger during first-half injury time, it would be whether the incident warranted a straight red card instead of the second yellow he received.
Burren Rangers had made an explosive start when Tom Donald slammed home a goal just 12 seconds in, after a long ball aimed at Billy Shanahan fortuitously fell his way.
For much of the next 20 minutes, Brownstown enjoyed a slight edge and managed to pick off their scores a bit more easily. The teams were level at 1-3 to 0-6 with about ten minutes left in the first half. The Carlow Junior champions responded well, scoring five of the next six points to take a 1-8 to 0-7 lead. However, Bolger’s moment of indiscipline just before half-time gave Brownstown a crucial advantage heading into the break.
In the second half, the extra man played a pivotal role as Brownstown took control.
They drew level by the 36th minute, and although Dylan Townsend briefly restored Burren’s lead, Brownstown replied with five consecutive points. Their free-taker, Jamie Fitzsimons, capitalised on numerous dead-ball opportunities to add to the score.
Despite Burren Rangers’ resilience, a vital point from Jim Nolan cut Brownstown’s lead to two in injury time. Yet, Brownstown finished strongest, adding two more points to close out a four-point victory.
Scorers - Brownstown: Jamie Fitzsimons 0-8 (7fs;1’65), Emmet Cunneen 0-3, Robbie Dugdale, Niall Leonard and Brian Guerin 0-2 each, Tom Flynn and Patrick O’Reilly 0-1 each.
Burren Rangers: Dylan Townsend 0-5 (4fs; 1’65), Tom Donald 1-0, Billy Nolan and Conor Bolger 0-2 each, Cathal Healy, Daniel Bolger and Jim Nolan 0-1 each.
Brownstown: James Moore; Oisín Kiernan, Philip Gilsenan, Kenny Higgins; Cormac Foley, Conor Shaw, Anthony Mulvaney; Tom Flynn, Patrick O’Reilly; Donal Lane, Robbie Dugdale, Jamie Fitzsimons; Niall Leonard, Brian Guerin, Emmet Cunneen. Subs: Rory Carolan for Higgins (25).
Burren Rangers: Ciaran Caffrey; Jimmie Carroll, Lorcan Moore, Joe Holden; Evan Corr, Lorcan Doyle, Eoin Doyle; Conor Bolger, Seamus English Hayden; Cathal Healy, Tom Donald, Dylan Townsend; Daniel Bolger, Billy Shanahan, Billy Nolan. Subs: Billy Molloy for English Hayden (13), Jim Nolan for Moore (25), Padraig Roche for Corr (56).
Referee: Richard Holland (Kilkenny).