Brackaville fight back to oust Clann men

A second-half blitz of 2-10 from Brackaville steered them to the quarter final of the Junior Championship at Tattyreagh on Sunday of last week.

They had to battle back from from being ten points down just after the break to win by three against a Clann na nGael side that were unable to maintain that big advantage.

First-half goals from Danny Ball (2), Shay Brown and Adrian Ball had Clann na nGael in control by the break yet against the breeze they only managed 1-2 in the second half and Brackaville just reeled them in.

The Roes always looked dangerous over the hour. They dropped a handful of efforts short and Clann goalkeeper Cormac Blee was on hand to deal with them.

The North Tyrone side could not cope though with an excellent running game from Brackaville that evolved over the hour.

Sean McNally, Dale McSorley and Dwayne McKenna were always creative, while Rian McHugh wa a handful round the square in the second half.

Clann led by eight points at the break, and were good value for that lead too. After a shaky start when they conceded points from Rian McHugh and Dale McSorley they steadied the ship with three points on the bounce from Ronan Devine, Shay Brown and Adrian Ball.

Their defence, which included veteran Paul Conwell and Damien Ball, did some great work.

Blee was on hand to deal with several hopeful long balls although McSorley was quick to pounce on a clearance on the right.

At the other end, Clann got the first of their five goals on 13 minutes. Brown spun away from the defender and fired to the net. 

McSorley landed a free before the first water break.

Brown had nudged Clann three ahead with an angled score from the right. Then Brackaville quickly levelled when, after a great run from McKenna, McSorley put McNally in for the goal. Within a minute Clann were back in control as Danny Ball crashed the ball home from close range.

Rian McHugh did pull a point back but the second quarter belonged to Clann.

Brown pointed with Danny Ball and Adrian Ball scoring goals. Again Brackaville were wasteful, as they dropped chances short and hit several wides. Only Mc Sorley added to the score before the break.

FULL STORY IN LAST THURSDAY’S STRABANE CHRONICLE