The Junior hurling semi-final between O’Loughlin Gaels and Bennettsbridge last Sunday in Nowlan Park was a hurling display of great skill and physicality.
Both teams were courageous in their effort to be ahead at the final whistle, however it was Bennettsbridge that managed to stay ahead, winning the game by a single point.
The O’Loughlins men got the ball rolling in the opening minutes with two points converted after early frees. Pat O’Neill for Bennettsbridge then answered with a point from play 40 yards out the field.
The O’Loughlins’ lead was short-lived. After seven minutes of play, the ball slipped through the legs of goalkeeper, Stephen Murphy, from a long shot by Darragh Wafer. Nickey Cleere put them even further in front with a point from 65 yards out the field.
After dropping their heads for a few minutes, the O’Loughlins’ men came back into the game scoring three commendable points from Eddie Burke, Nigel Skeehan, and Kevin Morrissey.
Eddie Burke then went on to score an inspirational goal 20 yards out after a free taken by Niall Bergin, making the score 1-5 to 1-2.
The ‘Gaels men played with great skill in those last 10 minutes but Bennettsbridge kept their heads high and scored two points, and then another devastating goal was scored after a 65 taken which was converted by Brian Lannon.
At this point, with five minutes to go before half time, the game was interesting and exciting for all involved.
Bennettsbridge continued to rain down on the O’Loughlins’ goal line but Stephen Murphy was quick to redeem himself after his earlier mistake and made some great saves to keep O’Loughlins in the game as the teams left the field at half time. The score was Bennettsbridge 2-7, O’Loughlins 1-6.
Having eager hopes for an exciting second half, I was not disappointed. It proved to be a very close and intense thirty minutes with both teams playing great hurling.
O’Loughlins opened the second half in style with a long point from 70 yards out, followed by a spectacular goal from Nigel Skeehan.
The great shot left a deep wound in Bennettsbridge and Mark Dowling was able to put the ball over the bar for O’Loughlins to tie the game.
However, Bennettsbridge regained their composure shortly and scored two points, one from James McGarry who was really showing his skill at this stage in the game.
What followed was great hurling by both teams and after 10 minutes of play the score was even at 2-11 after points by Nigel Skeehan, Eddie Burke, and James O’Keeffe for O’Loughlins and Brian Lannon for Bennettsbridge. Both Brian and James McGarry put two more points over the bar but Nigel Skeehan kept the’Gaels in it with another two points.
Both teams were now in a frenzy, as the game entered the closing minutes, to score the winning point or goal.
However the O’Loughlins men gave away a free which James Mc Garry easily converted.
With Bennetsbridge ahead by a point, Paddy Cantwell, after an amazing run down the left hand side of the field, went for glory, but the O’Loughlins men failed to put the ball into the back of the net.
The ball then rebounded out to James O’Keeffe and, with the whole crowd holding their breath the ball sailed to the left and wide. The final whistle left the score at Bennettsbridge 2-14 and O’Loughlins 2-13.
Some players really stood out on the day in question, Brian Lannon and James Mc Garry both had outstanding performances for Bennettsbridge and the whole half- back line worked very hard throughout the game.
For O’Loughlins, Nigel Skeehan, Kevin Morrissey, and Mark Dowling also had outstanding performances. Eddie Burke and Stephen Forristal also have to be mentioned as for such young players they both had a heroic game.
The game being so intense, was a great a testament to junior hurling.
