GAA 15/04

Michael Lyng Motors Intermediate Hurling League. 1^st Round.

Bennettsbridge entered a new era on Saturday evening last when they played the first round of the M Lyng Intermediate hurling league in Palmerstown. Playing last year’s finalists St. Patricks of Ballyragget this was as tough an introduction the team could ask for. Playing against the wind in the first half after new team captain Enda Morrissey won the toss you would expect them to face a massive onslaught. However it was the Bridge boys first off the mark with a pointed free from last year’s player of the year and free taking maestro Nicky Cleere. St. Pats responded with a pointed free of their own from county panellist Kevin Kelly. The game ebbed and flowed from end to end with the Bridge boys finding there was not as much time on the ball at this level. However at the break they went in trailing the Saints by just 2 points but none of the large traveling club supporters were unhappy with the effort. 5 pointed frees from N Cleere and a single point from Liam Blanchfield who was causing the opposition defence lots of problems made up the Bridge first half return. The second half started with what appeared calming conditions however it was star midfielder Darragh Wafer who opened the scoring for the Bridge reducing the deficit to a minimum. Points were exchanged for the next 15 minutes however the crucial score came from evergreen Brian Lannon who caught a long delivery and broke through the St. Pats defence before firing home to the net. The score was now 1-10 to 0-10 and now it was the turn of the opposition to chase the game. They moved some of their county panellists into the attack however they were unable to break through the brave Bridge defence and whenever the ball went to the other end the forwards started to find their range with a wonderful strike from Aidan Cleere followed by points from H O’Neill B Lannon and Liam Blanchfield. The final whistle sounded to great joy from the Bridge team and supporters with a scoreline of 1-14 to 0-13pts. This was a great start to the season for the lads and another win will give them the belief that they are in this with a serious chance. Many neutrals at the game praised the style and teamwork shown by the lads and said they are a team that need to be watched over the next couple of seasons. The team lined out E Cleere, S Wemyss, R Lennon, J Moran, J Cleere, E Morrissey, A Cleere(0-1), D Wafer(0-1), K Blanchfield, C Wafer, M Shiel, N Cleere(0-8 frees), H O’Neill(0-1), B Lannon(1-1), L Blanchfield(0-2).

The next outing for the team is on May 9^th.

The next club outing is on Sunday next against Blacks and Whites for the Junior B team in Skeogh at 6-30pm.