Kilkenny SHL- Flying start proves decisive as Bennettsbridge claim crucial victory over Dicksboro

A strong hardworking team performance was key to Bennettsbridge’s victory against Dicksboro on a glorious summer day in Gowran last Saturday afternoon, as they made it three wins from four matches to put themselves firmly in the mix to secure a top two spot and a place in the Quarter-Final of the Championship.

A flying start proved decisive and by the midway point of the first half Bennettsbridge led 2-5 to 0-4 following goals from Nicky Cleere in the third minute, before a James Hughes goal following a terrific team move put them in a very strong position at an early stage.

Points from Jack Campion, Nicky Cleere(free), the outstanding Kevin Blanchfield, James Hughes and Jason Cleere confirmed their early dominance throughout that opening quarter, before Dicksboro started to dominate in the second quarter primarily through the free taking of Shane Stapleton.

The Dublin native was on target with 0-7, all from placed balls throughout the opening-half, while James Carroll (2), Harry Shine(2) along with Cillian Hackett, Mark Nolan and a superb long range effort by Padraic Moylan all contributed to the Boro’s first half tally as they led 0-14 to 2-7 into first-half injury-time.

However, Bennettsbridge finished the half strongly with points in quick succession from Kevin Blanchfield and James Hughes as they led by the minimum at half-time. 2-9 to 0-14.

Points early in the second-half from Hugh O’Neill and a Nicky Cleere free stretched the lead further (2-11 to 0-14), before Cillian Hackett - who was one of Dicksboro’s leading performers - replied with a point from play in the 34th minute. 2-11 to 0-15.

Timmy Clifford ended the scoring drought of alost seven minutes when he blazed a goal chance over from close range, before Shane Stapleton levelled proceedings two minutes later from a free. 2-11 to 0-17.

The ever reliable Nicky Cleere added three further points from frees between the 45th and 49th minutes, with Cillian Hackett replying with a point from play in between that sequence.

Bennettsbridge led by two points heading into the final ten minutes, and they closed out the game with points from Ciaran Brennan - a half-time substitute - with a superb effort near the sideline, Bill Hughes and another free by Nicky Cleere.

As mentioned, a strong hardworking team performance was key to Bennettsbridge’s victory with Kevin Blanchfield leading the way.

Blanchfield was outstanding as he scored 0-3 from play in the first-half, while he also did a lot of good defensive work in helping Bennettsbridge gain supremacy.

He was ably assisted by his hard grafting midfield partner Hugh O’Neill, while the defensive unit was strong, solid and hardworking with the experience of Enda Morrissey and David Blanchfield backed up by the tenacious Timmy Kelly and Shane Byrne.

Despite the best efforts of the excellent duo of Padraic Moylan and Cillian Buckley along with Eoin Fennelly and James Carroll until he went off early in the second-half, the Dicksboro forward division apart from Cillian Hackett didn’t make the required impact as they only scored 0-6 from play.

Teams and Scorers

Bennettsbridge - Nicky Cleere 1-6(0-6 frees), James Hughes 1-2, Kevin Blanchfield 0-3, Jason Cleere 0-2, Hugh O’Neill, Bill Hughes, Ciaran Brennan and Jack Campion 0-1 each

Dicksboro - Shane Stapleton 0-9(all frees), Cillian Hackett 0-3, Harry Shine and James Carroll 0-2 each, Timmy Clifford, Padraic Moylan and Mark Nolan 0-1 each

Bennettsbridge: Enda Cleere, Conor Murphy, Enda Morrissey, Timmy Kelly, Bill Hughes, David Blanchfield, Shane Byrne, Hugh

O’Neill, Kevin Blanchfield, James Hughes, Nicky Cleere, Harry Murphy, Jack Campion, Liam Blanchfield, Jason Cleere.

Subs: Ciaran Brennan for Harry Murphy half-time, Jamie Harkin for Campion 53 minutes.

Dicksboro: Darragh Holohan, Evan Cody, Padraic Moylan, Niall Rowe, Eoin Fennelly, Cillian Buckley, Timmy Clifford, James

Carroll, Joe Sheehan, Mark Nolan, Harry Shine, Cillian Hackett, Shane Stapleton, Kevin Moore, Liam Moore.

Sub: Ollie Walsh for James Carroll 37 minutes.

Referee: Patrick O'Reilly (Barrow Rangers)