Bolger helps Graig capture junior football spoils

Graignamanagh won the first bit of adult silverware on offer in Kilkenny GAA competitions this year when overcoming Bennettsbridge in the JJ Kavanagh Sons junior football county final which was played at the MW Hire Centre Dunmore.

Two late points from Michael Bolger saw the Graig club win their first bit of silverware at adult level for many years.

Bennettsbridge had first advantage of the breeze and would have needed to have a little in reserve entering the second half.

For the opening nine minutes the winners dominated, thanks to the accurate kicking of Michael Bolger.

He scored the game’s first point on five minutes when he ran on to a pass from midfielder James Meaney. He landed further points in the eight and ninth minutes from frees after some careless tacking by the Bennettsbridge defence.

The Graignamanagh dominance abated from the 10th minute when Bennettsbridge landed their first score, a Jason Cleere point after good support play from Sean Morrissey and Ciaran Brennan.

Sean Morrissey pointed a close-in free with Ciaran Brennan tying the game on 20 minutes when set up by Jason Cleere.

That strong bout of Bennettsbridge pressure would yield the game’s only goal on 22 minutes and it was a well-worked score.

Paddy Walsh finished the ball to the Graig net with some excellent build up play from Conor Murphy and Jason Cleere.

Further points followed for the ’Bridge from Ciaran Brennan and Luke Dowling to push the margin out to five points.

Michael Bolger finished the first half scoring in injury time to leave the interval score at Bennettsbridge 1-5, Graignamanagh 0-4.

Just as in the first half, Graignamanagh made a great start to the second half scoring three points in the opening eight minutes through Michael Bolger (free), Sean Holden and Richard Foley, to leave the minimum between the sides.

Bennettsbridge struggled to get into the game in the second half. Their defence came under incessant pressure with Conor Murphy and Jason Cleere outstanding.

Sean Morrissey landed the score of the game on 44 minutes when he pointed a free from 45 metres out on the wing. That score should have inspired the ’Bridge, but it was their opponents who would dominate the game in the fourth quarter.

Just at the start of the fourth quarter Michael Bolger left the minimum between the sides with a pointed free from 40 metres.

He pointed a 45 on 55 minutes to tie the game and the pressure was now on Bennettsbridge to respond.

Another pointed free from Michael Bolger edged the Graig men back into the lead and he made sure of victory in injury time with a sublime point to cap a brilliant performance.

Teams and Scorers

Graignamanagh - Michael Bolger (0-9, 0-4 frees, 0-1 45); Sean Holden, Richard Foley (0-1) each.

Bennettsbridge - Paddy Walsh (1-0); Ciaran Brennan (0-2); Sean Morrissey (0-2 frees); Jason Cleere, Luke Dowling (0-1 each).

Graignamanagh - Abhainn Flood; Devon Kielthy, Jack Dunne, Sean Walsh; Pierce Blanchfield, Joe Dowling, Sean Cosgrave; James Meaney, Richard Foley; Thomas O’Donnell, Michael Bolger, Niall Hayden; Steven Kinsella, Sean Dowling, Sean Holden.

Subs: Shane Kearney, Terry Dreelin, Nicky Ryan.

Bennettsbridge - Patrick O’Neill; Laurence Mahon, Nicky Cleere, Daniel Murphy; Jason Cleere, Conor Murphy, Luke Dowling; Stephen Holden, Enda Morrissey; Sean Morrissey, Bill Nolan, Micheál Shiel; Paddy Walsh, Shane Byrne; Ciaran Brennan.

Subs: Gearoid Kent, Kevin Brennan, Kyle Ryan.

Referee – Eamonn Mahon (Railyard).