Kilkenny SHL- ’Bridge see off 14 man Shamrocks

In an eventful high-noon clash played in The September summer sunshine in Thomastown on Sunday saw Bennettsbridge upset the odds, as they defeated 5-in-a-row champions Shamrocks who finished with 14 men after Eoin Cody was sent-off for picking up a second yellow card.

The catalyst for Bennettsbridge’s victory was the free-taking ability of Nicky Cleere who was unerring as 11 of his points came from placed balls.

Jason Cleere made a welcome return to action and he was on fire in the opening 10 minutes with 0-3 from play, while Kevin Blanchfield scored 1-2 and worked tremendously hard.

TJ Reid was virtually ploughing a lone furrow for the champions as he gave another 5-star Tour De Force display with 2-11 in total.

Following points right from the outset by Jason Cleere and Liam Blanchfield, TJ Reid replied with a 65 before scoring a wonder goal where he made a quick turn to rifle an unstoppable shot that gave Enda Cleere no chance. 1-1 to 0-2.

Bennettsbridge responded with three points in quick succession from Nicky Cleere(2) - a 65 and a free from an impossible angle -and Jason Cleere. 0-5 to 1-1.

TJ Reid added two levelling points (including a free) either side of a superb effort by Kevin Blanchfield, before The Bridge men regained the lead by them midway point of first-half thanks to further points by Jason Cleere, Nicky Cleere (free) and Liam Blanchfield. 0-9 to 1-5.

Nicky Cleere added four further points including a superb effort from play in the 24th minute.

Eoin Cody(2), Eoin Kenneally and TJ Reid (free) accounted for Shamrocks scoring tally during the second quarter as just two points separated the teams at half-time.

TJ pointed another free early in the second half to halve the deficit(0-14 to 1-10), before Eoin Cody’s sending-off for a second yellow card following a foul on Enda Morrissey.

Bennettsbridge began to take advantage with the extra man as they scored five of the next six points with Nicky Cleere adding three further frees, while Sean Morrissey pointed twice from play.

That purple patch built up a 0-19 to 1-11 lead by the 40th minute, and after Adrian Mullen added a point from play, Kevin Blanchfield put the Bridge in a very strong position with a brilliantly taken goal in the 42nd minute to go seven points clear. 1-19 to 1-12.

Nicky Cleere pointed another free to extend the advantage further(1-20 to 1-12), while TJ Reid pointed another three frees to narrow the gap to five points entering the final 10 minutes. 1-20 to 1-15.

A possible comeback was on the cards, but that ended when Jack Campion struck home Bennettsbridge’s second goal in the 51stminute. 2-20 to 1-15.

Bennettsbridge remained in control to the finish with further points from Nicky Cleere(2 frees), David Blanchfield and Sean

Morrissey, while TJ Reid grabbed a late consolation goal, there was no doubting Bennettsbridge’s superiority and the victory was very well merited.

Teams and Scorers

Bennettsbridge - Nicky Cleere (0-12, 0-10 frees and 0-1 ‘65), Kevin Blanchfield (1-2), Sean Morrissey (0-4), Jason Cleere (0-3), Jack Campion (1-0), Liam Blanchfield (0-2), David Blanchfield (0-1)

Shamrocks - TJ Reid (2-11, 1-9 frees and 0-1 ‘65), Eoin Cody; Adrian Mullen (0-2 each), Eoin Kenneally; Darragh Corcoran (0-1 each)

Bennettsbridge - Enda Cleere; Timmy Kelly, Enda Morrissey Daniel Murphy; Conor Murphy, Bill Hughes, Hugh O’Neill; Danny Coyne, Kevin Blanchfield; James Hughes, Nicky Cleere, David Blanchfield; Jason Cleere, Sean Morrissey, Liam Blanchfield.

Subs: Jack Campion, Ciaran Brennan, Jamie Harkin.

Shamrocks - Dean Mason; Brian Butler, Dara Mason, Killian Corcoran, Evan Shefflin, Richie Reid, Darragh Corcoran, Paddy Mullen, Conor Walsh, Adrian Mullen, TJ Reid, Niall Shortall, Eoin Kenneally, Eoin Cody, Eoin Reid.

Sub: Liam Barron.

Referee - David Hughes