Kilkenny SHC- Blanchfield fires Bennettsbridge to late success over Clara

For the majority of the second half Clara were in control against their near neighbours Bennettsbridge, and with 10 minutes to go they led by five points (0-14 to 0-9) and deservedly so as they were perfoming with great tenacity and determination.

Bennettsbridge were clearly struggling especially in their forward division where only 0-2 from play came from their starting six in attack, and it was the long distance accuracy from frees by David Blanchfield that was the decisive difference as they snatched victory.

With 57 minutes gone Clara led by 0-14 to 0-11, but David Blanchfield pointed twice from frees in quick succession to suddenly narrow the advantage to the bare minimum.

The Kilkenny senior hurler pointed another long range effort for the leveller a minute into stoppage time, and extra-time appeared the most likely outcome.

However, a well worked move saw corner-back Shane Byrne surge upfield to strike over the lead point, and that was shortly followed by a point from Sean Morrissey to ensure victory.

It was cruel on Clara who led for so long particularly on the efforts of Jack Langton and Harry Boyle who were excellent as their defensive unit subdued the efforts of the Bennettsbridge attack.

Playing with a very strong wind advantage during the opening half, Clara built up a 0-5 to 0-0 lead after just six minutes with five different point scorers as Jack Langton, Conor Hoyne, Paul Cody, Matt Kenny and a Conor O’Shea all contributed to Clara’s tally in the opening few minutes.

Bennettsbridge began to settle down and despite not playing well, they were delighted to be only three points behind (0-8 to 0-5) as they would have the advantage of the strong wind to come for the second half.

Hugh O’Neill struck over three excellent points from play while Nicky Cleere pointed twice from placed balls, as further points for Clara came from Conor O’Shea, Liam Ryan and Chris Bolger.

Liam Ryan pointed within seconds of the restart to stretch the lead further (0-9 to 0-5), and further points from Conor O’Shea (0-2, 0-1 free and 0-1 65) and Paul Cody extended the lead further to double scores by the 38th minute. 0-12 to 0-6.

Points between the 41st and 46th minutes from a Nicky Cleere 65, a long range free by David Blanchfield and impressive substitute Jack Campion narrowed the deficit to four points (0-13 to 0-9), before Dara Glynn stretched the lead in the 49th minute with a point from play. 0-14 to 0-9.

Bennettsbridge needed inspiration and they found that in the shape of David Blanchfield.

His pointed free in the 50th minute started the comeback and when Jason Cleere added a point two minutes later, just three points seperated them. 0-14 to 0-11.

They kept battling away with Timmy Kelly who had a towering game doing magnificent work in defence, and following the stoppage due to an injury sustained to Sean O’Shea who had to be substituted, two further long range pointed frees by David Blanchfield in quick succession in the 57th and 58th minutes respectively narrowed the arrears to just a solitary point. 0-14 to 0-13.

David was on a roll and he pointed the levelling free in the 61st minute, as extra-time was looking most likely.

However, Bennettsbridge had all the momentum and Shane Byrne surged upfield to strike over a glorious point in the 63rd minute and give them the outright lead for the first time. 0-15 to 0-14

Kevin Nolan pulled off a brilliant save moments later to deny Jack Campion a certain goal, before Sean Morrissey added a point to close out the game.

Teams and Scorers

Bennettsbridge - David Blanchfield 0-5(all frees), Nicky Cleere (0-2 frees 0-1; 65), and Hugh O’Neill 0-3 each, Bill Hughes, Jason Cleere, Jack Campion, Shane Byrne and Sean Morrissey 0-1 each

Clara - Conor O’Shea 0-5(0-4 frees, 0-1 65), Liam Ryan and Paul Cody 0-2 each, Jack Langton, Matt Kenny, Conor Hoyne, Dara Glynn and Chris Bolger 0-1 each

Bennettsbridge: Enda Cleere, Shane Byrne, Enda Morrissey, Timmy Kelly, Bill Hughes, David Blanchfield, Conor Murphy, Hugh O’Neill, Kevin Blanchfield, Liam Blanchfield, Sean Morrissey, Ciaran Brennan, Nicky Cleere, James Hughes, Jason Cleere.

Sub: Jack Campion for James Hughes 38 minutes.

Clara: Kevin Nolan, Harry Boyle, Jack Langton, Sean O’Shea, Martin O’Connell, Shane Staunton, Paddy Bolger, Dara Glynn, Conor Hoyne, Paul Cody, Conor O’Shea, Liam Ryan, Rory Glynn, Chris Bolger, Matt Kenny.

Subs: Joe Connolly for Sean O’Shea 55 minutes, Peter Nolan for Matt Kenny 59 minutes.

Referee: Peter Burke (Emeralds)

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