Bennettsbridge 0-5, Castlecomer 0-4
Bennettsbridge captured the Hennessy Fuels Roinn B final by the narrowest of margins after an epic tussle with Castlecomer. While the scoreline might lead you to think that this was a dull encounter, the opposite was the case.
This was a magnificent game of hurling, full of passion, terrific defending, and the issue in doubt right to the end. While there was no doubt that Bennettsbridge were worthy winners, you would have to feel sorry for Castlecomer as they were runners up in this final last year also by the minimum margin. Bennettsbridge were first to score with a point from Eoin Power after two minutes. Castlecomer went on the attack and when Shane Byrne was fouled Niall McMahon pointed the free. Castlecomer took the lead in the twelfth minute with a point from a '65 by Niall Mcmahon. Castlecomer were putting Bennettsbridge under severe pressure at this stage and 'Bridge keeper Joe Murphy made a great save in the thirteenth minute. Bennettsbridge levelled matters within three minutes with a pointed free from Kevin Brennan. Again Castlecomer took the game to the opposition and went ahead just before half time with a point from Patrick Brophy following a good handpass from John Callinan. Half time score: Castlecomer 0-3, Bennettsbridge 0-2. Bennettsbridge went on the attack from the restart and levelled with a point from Eoin Power in the third minute. They went ahead in the seventh minute with a pointed free from Kevin Brennan. Two minutes later they stretched their lead with a fabulous point from Luke Dowling. Castlecomer now went on the offensive and Bennettsbridge were forced to defend for their lives. The lead was reduced to one point when Conor Delaney pointed a free in the twelfth minute. For the remainder of the game Castlecomer laid siege to the ‘Bridge goal but their defence stood firm. The 'Bridge lads put their bodies on the line and somehow managed to prevent Castlecomer from getting that precious equaliser. Full marks to both sides for a splendid game. Scorers: Bennettsbridge: Eoin Power (0-2 ), Kevin Brennan (0-2, Frees ), Luke Dowling (0-1 )
Castlecomer: Niall McMahon (0-2, 0-1 free, 0-1 '65 ), Patrick Brophy (0-1 ), Conor Delaney (0-1 free ). Bennettsbridge: Joe Murphy, Peter Duggan, Bill O'Neill, Brian O’Neill, Hugh Corkery, Liam Blanchfield, Bill Whelan, Sean Morrissey, Luke Dowling, Shane Byrne, Eoin Power, Kevin Brennan, Ronan O Connor, James Drea, Maurice Walsh. Subs: David Blanchfield, Rory Cleere, Nathan Cullen, Mackenzie Davin, Shane Duggan, Shane Hanley, Dean Malone, Leo McCarthy, David Waugh. Castlecomer: Conor Dwyer, David Holohan, Donal Carroll, Griffin Carroll, Ian Holohan, Conor Delaney, Shane Feehan, Niall McMahon, Jamie Holohan, Sean Buggy, John Callinan, Paul Ring, Daniel Byrne, Patrick Brophy, Paul Turnstead. Subs: James Rothwell, Joseph Phelan, Eoin O' Rourke, Eoin Brennan, Brian Meally, Andrew Mansfield, Ross Connolly, Stephen Dowd, Thomas Dwyer. Referee: Ciaran Muldowney.
