Goal rush hands Bennettsbridge Junior Football League crown

A flurry of second half goals when aided by a strong breeze, saw Bennettsbridge take the spoils in this J J Kavanagh & Sons Junior Football League County Final at Canon Kearns Park Castlecomer on Saturday.

The opening score of the game came from a James Carroll free in the second minute for Bennettsbridge.

Two minutes later, Joe Dollard did likewise from a placed ball following a foul on Brandan Phelan.

Galmoy doubled their tally in the 11th minute, when Joe Dollard took a quick free to Oisín Phelan who split the posts from 30 metres.

In the 15th minute, Ciarán Brennan won a long delivery 40 metres from the Galmoy goal.

Turning swiftly ,he set off on a direct solo before striking a sweet shot to the Galmoy net.

The ’Bridge then dominated for a spell as they went on to strike five wides in quick succession.

Scores were scarce though and with 30 minutes on the clock, Galmoy put together a good move downfield involving Conor Drennan, Tom Corcoran and Calum Lonergan before Joe Dollard completed the run with a well placed point.

Two minutes later after a long ball into the ‘Bridge defence, David Sherman was fouled inside the small square, with a black card issued to the offender.

Nigel Stanley stood up to the resultant penalty and placed it to the right of Bennettsbridge ‘keeper Patrick O Neill, 1-3 to 1-1.

Almost straight from the kickout, we had another penalty, this time awarded to Bennettsbridge, when Ciarán Brennan was impeded.

Former Donegal U-21 player James Carroll, took on the responsibility and made no mistake to send his side in marginally ahead 2-1 to 1-3 at the break.

Bennettsbridge now had the advantage of a strengthening breeze at their backs and they reaped immediate reward when their best player James Carroll, pointed.

In the 37th minute Paddy Walsh won a long ball in from Nicky Cleere and kicked to the Galmoy net, 3-2 to 1-3.

Having conceded that third goal after the interval, Galmoy tried to rescue the situation but left themselves open at the back as they went in search of a reply, with the result that Bennettsbridge slipped in for some impressive scores.

Goals flowed from James Carroll, Kevin Blanchfield and Luke Dowling.

In fairness, Galmoy never threw in the towel and did their utmost to get going again.

In the 46th minute, Brandan Phelan took a pass from Calum Lonergan and struck high over the bar.

A minute later ,when a defender handled on the ground, Joe Dollard slotted over the resultant free.

Kevin Blanchfield combined well with Stephen Holden for another major for the’Bridge, but Galmoy came back again.

They were rewarded when Joe Dollard slotted over another free which was won by Tom Phelan.

The Galmoy half back line of Conor Grace, Conor Drennan and Tom Corcoran tried hard all through making many fine runs but in truth on this occasion, Bennettsbridge took the scoring honours.

Team Captain Nicky Cleere received the winners trophy from Kilkenny county Board Vice Chaiperson, Jim Fennelly.

Teams and Scorers

Bennettsbridge- James Carroll (2-4, one free), Kevin Blanchfield (2-1), Luke Dowling, Paddy Walsh, Ciaran Brennan (1-0 each), Stephen Holden (0-1)

Galmoy- Joe Dollard (0-4, three frees), Nigel Stanley (1-0), Brandan Phelan, Oisin Phelan (0-1 each)

Bennettsbridge: Patrick O Neill; Gearóid Kent, Danny Coyne, Oisín Meegan; Cillian Fennessy, Nicky Cleere(C), Luke Dowling; Conor Murphy, Kevin Blanchfield; Shane Byrne, Sean Morrissey, Kevin Brennan; Paddy Walsh, James Carroll, Ciarán Brennan.

Subs: Stephen Holden for Shane Byrne 45 mins ,Sean O Connell, Ben King, Joe Hughes and James Hughes.

Galmoy: John Phelan; James Darcy, Eamonn Corcoran, Colm Smith; Conor Grace, Conor Drennan,T om Corcoran; David Sherman, Brendan Phelan; Sean Phelan, Joe Dollard(C), Nigel Stanley; Calum Lonergan, Brandan Phelan, Oisín Phelan.

Subs: Gearóid Phelan for Brendan Phelan 25 mins, Jack Delaney for James Darcy 43 mins, Tom Phelan for Eamonn Corcoran 43 mins, Daniel Hanrahan for Oisín Phelan 55 mins and John Dermody for Sean Phelan 55 mins.

Referee: Conor Everard (Graigue Ballycallan)