Bennettsbridge fare best in top class Junior B Final tussle with Fenians

A strong finish helped Bennettsbridge leave Jenkinstown with the Junior B hurling league spoils but they were put to the pin of their collar by a hard-working Fenians (Johnstown).

Bennettsbridge built up an 0-7 to 0-2 lead in the opening quarter and were 0-14 to 0-11 clear at the interval. In truth, Fenians were lucky to be just three points behind, as the ’Bridge had quite a bit more possession.

The ’Bridge captain Willie Murphy registered 0-4 in the opening period, while Harry Murphy and Aidan Cleere chipped in with 0-3 apiece, the latter before picking up an injury. Niall Carroll, who scored 0-3 and battled well, was the pick of the Fenians players in the same period.

Fenians must have gotten the ‘hairdryer treatment’ at the break as they struck back with an unanswered 1-2 within five minutes of the restart. Cathal Phelan pointed before Sean Tobin goaled from close range, Tobin then converting a free to leave the Johnstown men two points to the good (1-13 to 0-14).

Bennettsbridge didn’t panic and with Harry Murphy doing major damage outfield, they hit back Quick scores by Murphy and Nicky Cleere (free) had them back in front by the 55th minute (0-20 to 1-15).

The game had taken on a see-saw nature, so it was no surprise when the Fenians took the advantage once more. After Mark Hughes was fouled in the square Kieran Grehan drilled the resulting penalty to the net, pushing his side ahead (2-15 to 0-20).

The ’Bridge scrambled into action, with the excellent Harry Murphy hitting another equaliser but, in the final minute of regulation time, Grehan pointed a free to put Fenians back in front - could they hold on?

The North Kilkenny side tried their best to keep that slender lead, but it was Bennettsbridge who finished the stronger. Three unanswered points from Willie Murphy (2) and Kevin Brennan helped them clinch a high-quality junior B league title.

Teams and scorers

Bennettsbridge - Nicky Cleere (0-6, 0-4 frees); Willie Murphy, Harry Murphy (0-6 each); Aidan Cleere (0-3); Kevin Brennan, Jack Campion, Billy Nolan (0-1 each).

Fenians - Sean Tobin (1-4, 0-4 frees), Kieran Grehan (1-2, 1-0 penalty, 0-1 free), Cathal Phelan (0-4), Niall Carroll (0-3), Rory Garrett (0-2), Mark Hughes (0-1).

Bennettsbridge - Jack Forristal; Sam O’Dwyer, Lar Mahon, Kyle Ryan; Gearoid Kent, Shane Byrne, Kevin Brennan; Willie Murphy (captain), Stephen Holden; Aidan Cleere, Nicky Cleere, Harry Murphy; Jack Campion, Billy Nolan, Paddy Walsh.

Subs: Oran Lavery for Aidan Cleere, Tom Bolger, Ivan Kelly, Patrick O’Neill, Maurice Walsh, Conor Nolan, Johnny Doyle, Luke Dowling, Joe Hughes, Myles McGovern, Sean O’Connell, Michael Shiel, Eoin O’Connor.

Fenians - Billy Garrett; Eoin Phelan, Johnny Henderson, Andy McCormack; Gerry Henderson, Kieran Grehan, Rory Phelan; Cormac Ryan, Rory Garrett; Niall Carroll, Cathal Phelan, Alex Lawlor; Sean Tobin, Mark Hughes, Danny Dermody (captain).

Subs: Aaron Dermody, Adam Duggan, Gerry Henderson, Regan Downey, Thomas Sharley for Niall Carroll, Podge Sweeney, Paddy Cullen, Eddie Hughes, Dara O’Grady, Dian Quinlan, Bobby Tynan, Aaron Okorah, Damo Delaney, David Ryan, James Sweeney, Cillian Purcell, Cillian Walsh, Niall Mackey.

Referee - Paul Whelan.