​14-man Bennettsbridge beat the odds to see off Graigue Ballycallan

Bennettsbridge produced a polished display as they overcame Graigue Ballycallan to book their place in the St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Finals after claiming a three point success in UPMC Nowlan Park.

The victory was all the more noteworthy given the fact that the Bridge played over 40 minutes with only 14 men on the back of Enda Morrissey being dismissed in the opening half by match official John Dooley for two yellow card offences.

That indiscretion only seemed to inspire Brian Lannon’s side with Eoin Walpole’s second half goal proving crucial on the end result as well as the winners hitting the final three points of the game with Charlie Fitzgerald and Bill Nolan on target to seal the last eight success.

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For Graigue Ballycallan it’s a game they will feel that they let slip by and in truth they never really made full use of the extra man and not for the first time this year they relied heavily on the accuracy of Aaron McEvoy in attack.

McEvoy pointed the first effort of the game when converting a free in the 3rd minute but Bennettsbridge bounced back almost immediately with scores from Bill Hughes, Eoin Walpole and Nicky Cleere.

Cleere also had an opportunity for goal but his close-in attempt was well saved by Graigue Ballycallan stopper Sean McGrath before McEvoy and Ryan Corcoran added to the score to level matters at 0-3 apiece.

McEvoy and Liam Blanchfield then quickly swapped efforts in advance of Ballycallan beginning to turn the screw on their opponents as Bennettsbridge’s indiscipline was duly punished by McEvoy maintaining his scoring spree with a trio of converted placed balls.

The Sky Blues led 0-7 to 0-5 by the 20 minute mark and their chances looked to have increased a couple of minutes later when Bennettsbridge full back Enda Morrissey was given a second yellow and duly a red card for a high challenge on Ryan Corcoran.

Sean Ryan initially maintained the two point advantage but the Bridge kept their hopes alive and then some with successive Nicky Cleere frees and a superb Liam Blanchfield score giving them a narrow half-time lead (0-9 to 0-8). Ryan quickly levelled up matters at the start of the second half before Bennettsbridge grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck when landing a big blow to their opponents in scoring the only goal of the game.

The goal came about when Liam Blanchfield caught a high ball inside and he offloaded for Eoin Walpole who is still in his minor year and the corner forward made no mistake in shooting past Sean McGrath.

The Bridge then followed up the goal with further points from Nicky Cleere, David Blanchfield and Jimmy Lennon as they put themselves into a winning position.

Graigue Ballycallan came back fighting with scores from Billy O’Neill, Jesse Roberts, Tommy Ronan and Aaron McEvoy bringing the sides level as the game went into the final quarter.

Bennettsbridge goalkeper Alex Farrell and Jamie Harkin via a sideline cut briefly edged the winners back in front before McEvoy and Ryan Corcoran drew the sides level with just five minutes remaining.

With extra-time looking a possibility, the Bridge took up the challenge and scored the last three points as they claimed a sizeable success over the league shield winners.

Teams and Scorers

Bennettsbridge: Nicky Cleere (0-5, 5fs); Eoin Walpole (1-1); Charlie Fitzgerald, Liam Blanchfield (0-2 each); Alex O’Farrell (0-1, 1f); David Blanchfield, Jamie Harkin, Jimmy Lennon, Sean Morrissey, Bill Hughes, Bill Nolan (0-1 each)

Graigue Ballycallan: Aaron McEvoy (0-10, 8fs); Jesse Roberts, Ryan Corcoran, Sean Ryan (0-2 each); Billy O’Neill (0-1, 1f)

Bennettsbridge: Alex O’Farrell; Shane Byrne, Enda Morrissey, Timmy Kelly; Conor Murphy, David Blanchfield, Jamie Harkin; Jimmy Lennon, Hugh O’Neill; Sean Morrissey, Bill Hughes, Nicky Cleere; Eoin Walpole, Liam Blanchfield, Charlie Fitzgerald.

Subs: Bill Nolan for Lennon, 56 mins; Ciaran Brennan for Fitzgerald, 61 mins.

Graigue Ballycallan: Sean McGrath; Richie Keoghan, Tom Dunphy, Colum Prendiville; Billy Dowling, Billy O’Neill, Stephen Keoghan; Jeff Neary, Jack Walton; Jesse Roberts, Sean Ryan, Tommy Ronan; Aaron McEvoy, Oisin Egan, Ryan Corcoran.

Subs: Cormac Neary for Egan, 56 mins; Conor Walton for J.Walton, 61 mins.

Referee: John Dooley