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Galmoy best this time, but come the North League things could be different
Galmoy 0-12
Bennettsbridge .0-9
THREE points divided Galmoy and Bennettsbridge at the finish in this lively All County junior hurling league tie at Galmoy on Sunday after the home side led all the way. It was a competitive game but one suspects that both will be slightly more in earnest when they renew rivalry in four week’s time in the Northern League.
Niall Doherty at centre-back for the hosts was head and shoulders above any other player on the field. He was never beaten and he covered every inch of the Galmoy defence with an array of impressive clearances.
Two early points from top scorer, Phil Russell, settled the hosts. Noel Doherty grabbed a Thomas Phelan clearance to open up a three point lead after 11 minutes. Bennettsbridge responded with a point from Edward Fitzgerald and one from a free from the hard-working Nicky Cleere.
In the 16th minute Phil Russell set up Noel Doherty for his second score. A minute later, despite losing his hurley, Brian Doherty worked hard to win a 65, which Russell converted. Russell pointed from play when he received a clever crossfield ball from Niall Doherty.
In the 20th minute a loose clearance from the Galmoy defence went straight to Bennettsbridge centre-back James Moran and he pointed from well inside his own half.
Series of wides
The winners shot a series of wides before a late tackle on Niall Doherty won them a 20 metre free in the 24th minute.Given the greasy conditions, Phil Russell made the correct decision to shoot for goal but his shot thundered back into play off the crossbar. The’Bridge escaped.
Russell made amends later from a placed ball when James Moran impeded Noel Doherty. The final Galmoy score of the half was a result of good combination play between the Corcoran brothers on the right wing with the younger sibling, Thomas, splitting the posts.
The visitors finished the half well. A good move involving midfielders Nicky Cleere and Robert Lennon finished with Noel Sugrue pointing. On the stroke of half-time Tim Dooley set up Nicky Cleere for a nice point to leave it Galmoy 0-8, Bennettsbridge 0-5 at the rest.
For the new half Patrick O’Neill was switched to centre-forward in a bid to combat Niall Doherty’s dominance, but he had no more luck than his predecessor. A foul on Noel Sugrue won a ‘Bridge a free which Nicky Cleere converted before Galmoy hit five wides in succession.
Muscle injury
When James Moran picked up a muscle injury, Edward Fitzgerald moved to centre-back for Bennettsbridge. Two Phil Russell frees stretched the Galmoy lead and it was the 52nd minute before fans saw another scores.
It was Aidan Cleere, who had a good game, who hit the next point for Bennettsbridge. In reply Martin Phelan hit two together for the hosts. His first came when Phil Russell struck a short 65 straight to him and a minute later he took a good pass from Niall Doherty and split the posts.
Nicky Cleere pointed another free in the 56th minute. Bennettsbridge’s best player was Daragh Wafer at right half back. He got in a huge number of clearances and struck a long range point to close the scoring in the 58th minute.
Galmoy had a glorious chance of a goal in the dying moments but Enda Cleere excellently parried Phil Russell’s shot.
Galmoy - Liam Drennan, Brendan Phelan, Phil Doyle, Michael Harte, Eamonn Corcoran, Niall Doherty, Thomas Phelan(Bawn), Martin Phelan (0-2), John Phelan, Thomas Corcoran (0-1), Noel Doherty (0-2), Donica Gray, Leo Doherty, Brian Doherty, Phil Russell (0-7, four frees).
Bennettsbridge - Enda Cleere, Seamus Moran, James Dowling, Eddie Murphy, Daragh Wafer (0-1), James Moran, Paul Whelan, Robert Lennon, Nicky Cleere(0-4, three frees), Aidan Cleere (0-1), Tim Dooley, Patrick O’Neill, Hugh O’Neill, Edward Fitzgerald (0-1), Noel Sugrue(0-1). Subs - Gary Hayes for J. Moran (inj); William Murphy for T. Dooley (inj).
Referee - D. O’Sullivan (John Lockes).
PS - It was good to see referee, Denis O’Sullivan back in competitive action after a two year break.
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Weather for Kilkenny
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 4 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: South
