Bennettsbridge escape relegation trapdoor after derby win over Danesfort
Bennettsbridge 0-23 Danesfort 0-14
After a slow start to their 2026 senior campaign, Bennettsbridge appear to have found form at a critical juncture of the season.
After four defeats on the trot in Group A of the St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League, Bennettsbridge supporters would be forgiven for fearing what 2026 had in store. However, two merited victories over their neighbours and rivals seem to have lit the match on their season.
Despite having no real consequence on paper, a noteworthy win over Thomastown was followed by the surprise of the first round, as Brian Lannon’s team outclassed Danesfort in a do-or-die contest in UPMC Nowlan Park.
Danesfort entered the Sunday evening contest with reason to be hopeful. Their fifth-place finish in Group B, in truth, wasn’t an accurate reflection of their outings. Two standout wins over O’Loughlin Gaels and the Shamrocks and narrow defeats to Tullaroan and Erins Own had spirits high in Adrian Burke’s camp.
However, there can be few complaints over the result or Bennettsbridge’s margin of victory.
Upon taking the lead in the fifth minute, Bennettsbridge headed the intermediate champions of last year from that stage until the finish, never being pulled back to beyond two points in what was a commanding win.
Both David and Liam Blanchfield were pivotal figures for the ‘Bridge at centre and wing-backs respectively. Jamie Harkin and Sean Morrissey were equally as impressive in defensive and attacking roles.
From a Danesfort perspective, their forwards struggled to have a real bearing on proceedings, with Ben Whitty frees bringing them the most joy. The stripey men’s half-back line was heavily involved throughout but perhaps were overly relied on for scores.
In a game that had no shortage of needle, if not free-flowing hurling, the teams were evenly matched in the opening stages, deadlocked at 0-2 apiece after five minutes.
The bright opening injected Bennettsbridge with confidence, and four points in a row from Conor Murphy, Sean Morrissey, Hugh O’Neill and a brace of Nicky Cleere frees gave them some breathing space midway through the first half (0-7 to 0-2).
Worryingly for Danesfort, they went 14 minutes without a score before Ben Whitty and Paddy Hogan frees helped keep them in touch, leaving Bennettsbridge 0-9 to 0-5 ahead after 19 minutes.
An eye-catching score from his own half by Paddy Hickey, along with another from Cathal Kearney, kept Danesfort ticking over, but Nicky Cleere and Timmy Kelly responded with further white flags for Bennettsbridge before the interval (0-12 to 0-8).
Danesfort started the second half with two quickfire scores from Paddy Hickey and Matthew Cowley, but the Bridge still managed to maintain their four-point advantage through Eoin Walpole and Alex O Farrell (0-14 to 0-10 after 33 minutes).
The match was put beyond any reasonable doubt over a 20 minute period in the second half as Bennettsbridge scored eight points without reply, keeping their opponents scoreless.
Sean Morrissey was the scorer-in-chief from play during this period, putting a remarkable 11 scores between them with six minutes to play.
Ben Whitty, Fionn Mahony and Paddy Hickey put a gloss on the scoreboard, but there was little doubt who the derby spoils belonged to by the call of time.
The result means Bennettsbridge will play Graigue-Ballycallan in their St Canice’s Credit Union Senior quarter-final next Saturday in UPMC Nowlan Park.
As for Danesfort, it’s a date with Erin’s Own in the senior relegation final on Saturday, October 3 in a winner takes all clash.
TEAMS & SCORERS
Bennettsbridge: Nickey Cleere (0-8, 0-7f); Sean Morrissey (0-3); Liam Blanchfield, Hugh O’Neill, Eoin Walpole (0-2 each); Alex O’Farrell, Timmy Kelly, David Blanchfield, Conor Murphy, Jimmy Lennon, Bill Nolan (0-1 each).
Danesfort: Ben Whitty (0-4f); Paddy Hickey (0-3); Paddy Hogan (0-2f); Des Dunne (0-2); Fionn Mahony, Cathal Kearney, Matthew Cowley (0-1 each).
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 Used – Bill Nolan, Stephen Holden, Jack Campion.
Danesfort: Paddy Hogan; Adam Byrne, Diarmuid Phelan, Darren Booth; Des Dunne, Paul Murphy, Daire O’Neill; Cathal O’Neill, Sam Hayes; Robbie Walsh, Ben Whitty, Cathal Kearney; Anthony Ireland Wall, Paddy Hickey, Fionn Mahony.
Subs Used – Aidan Cowley, Matthew Cowley, Dan Dowling, Brian McDonald.
Referee: Owen Kenny (Tullogher).