Kilkenny SHC- O’Loughlin’s finish strong to overcome stern ‘Bridge challenge

A stoppage time Owen Wall goal finally ended Bennettsbridge's stern resistance as O'Loughlin Gaels booked their place in the Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship Final for the second time in three years.

The opening last four clash was tightly fought all the way through but a pair of Kelly goals that arrived at the start and the end of the game proved crucial as O'Loughlin's emerged three point winners.

The third goal arrived via sub Conor Kelly and for O'Loughlin's, it put the seal on a victory that was far from certain over the course of the 60 plus minutes of play.

There was very little between the teams so Bennettsbridge will look back on the result with a bit of regret as they definitley had their chances.

Liam Blanchfield has proved to be a wrecking ball thus far in the championship and had his second half double shot that was saved by Stephen Murphy and subsequently blocked by Huw Lawlor gone in then it could have been a different story.

O’Loughlin’s will feel that they have plenty to work on before the final and while they got scores at opportune times, they still left a lot of opportunities behind them.

Team captain Mark Bergin being the perfect example as he uncharacteristically missed a few frees but he still showed his experience when pointing a few crucial scores from play.

Bennettsbridge lined up without Ciaran Brennan and they also lost Kevin Blanchfield within 20 minutes of the start and while the influential midfielder returned in the second period, his absence was felt.

The 'Bridge were chasing for much of the contest and despite Kilkenny star David Blanchfield hitting the first of three points for his side within seconds of the throw-in, O'Loughlin's soon battled back with an expertly taken Owen Wall goal.

Points from Conor Heary and David Fogarty extended the city side's advantage before five Bennetsbridge points on the trot left the 2018 finalists 0-8 to 1-2 in front.

Nicky Cleere knocked over a number of points from frees during that spell but crucially, the Bridge also squandered two big goal chances with Jason Cleere and Sean Morrissey both going close.

Fresh from that wake up call Brian Hogan's O'Loughlin's side dominated the rest of the half with Paddy Deegan, Mark Bergin and Conor Heary adding further scores as they led 1-8 to 0-10 at the break.

The second half then went point for point until Nicky Cleere edged the Bridge in front in the 45th minute but they were soon rocked when Conor Kelly scored a brilliant individual goal with six minutes left on the clock.

Four points seperated the teams at that stage but that didn't put off Bennettsbridge as successive scores from Nicky Cleere, Daniel Murphy and Hugh O'Neill levelled up matters once again.

Liam Blanchfield who was well tied up by Huw Lawlor also had a big goal chance but he was denied by Lawlor and goalkeeper Stephen Murphy on the double.

That opportunity came back to bite with a point from Conor Kelly and a goal from Owen Wall wrapping up the O'Loughlin's win late on.

Teams and Scorers

O’Loughlin Gaels: Mark Bergin (0-8, four frees), Owen Wall (2-0), Conor Kelly (1-1), David Fogarty and Conor Heary (0-2 each), Paddy Deegan, Jordan Molloy and Paddy Butler (0-1 each)

Bennettsbridge: Nicky Cleere (0-11, nine frees and two ‘65’s), David Blanchfield (0-3), Hugh O'Neill (0-2), Jason Cleere, Sean Morrissey, Bill Hughes, James Hughes, Daniel Murphy and Jack Campion (0-1 each)

O’Loughlin Gaels: Stephen Murphy; Tony Forristal, Huw Lawlor, Mikey Butler; David Fogarty, Paddy Deegan, Jordan Molloy; Jack Nolan, Cian Loy; Mark Bergin, Eoin O'Shea, Conor Heary; Owen Wall, Paddy Butler, Sean Bolger.

Subs: Ronan Buckley for Nolan 51 mins, Conor Kelly for Butler 52 mins, Jamie Ryan for Loy 59 mins.

Bennettsbridge: Enda Cleere; Timmy Kelly, Enda Morrissey, Daniel Murphy; Conor Murphy, Bill Hughes, James Hughes; Hugh O'Neill, Kevin Blanchfield; Nickly Cleere, David Blanchfield, Willy Murphy; Jason Cleere, Liam Blanchfield, Sean Morrissey.

Subs: Shane Byrne for K Blanchfield 19 mins, Jack Campion for W Murphy h-t, Kevin Blanchfield for J Cleere 54 mins.

Referee: Conor Everard