Bennettsbridge were out again last Sunday in the U21 Northern Semi Final in Freshford against City opposition O’Loughlin Gaels. This was the 7^th week in a row for most of these lads playing with the U21s or the Junior team. In their previous games they started well and went in with a strong lead at half time and managed to hold onto it. This time however they started playing into the wind and had a battle on their hands going in at half time 1-7 to 0-4 down. The Bridge were first off the mark with a pointed free from Willie Murphy. O’Loughlins hit back with 3 pointed frees of their own. Again Willie pulled 2 back before the town clan hit 1-2 unanswered. And when a few frees for the Bridge failed to raise a flag the signs were this was going to be a different ball game. Going in at half time the Bridge were down but like all good teams not out. Out they came in the 2^nd half and after a well taken point by Jason Cleere a well worked goal finished to the net by Dylan Walsh followed by 2 pointed frees from Willie Murphy meant the boys were in the mood. A further point from play by Willie was cancelled out by The Locks but then came the crucial 2^nd goal for the Bridge by Micheal Shiel. This was followed up by a point from Sean Morrissey but the town lads hit back with 3 pointed frees. The Bridge brought on Kevin Brennan for Willie Murphy and just when the game had extra time written all over it was the calmer Bridge boys who outscored the Locks by 2-1 in the final 5 minutes. The hard working Liam Blanchfield got the first and sub Kevin Brennan got a pointed free. This was not a vintage performance but the never say die attitude of the players carried them over the line. They now meet the 3^rd town team Dicksboro in the Northern Final on Jan 4^th. They will be happy with the rest and hopefully they come back in the New Year with renewed vigour. The Team was S Nolan, P O’Neill, R Lennon, S Byrne, J Cleere 0-1, E Morrissey, A Cleere, C Wafer, K Blanchfield, S Morrissey 0-1, H O’Neill, M Shiel 1-0, D Walsh 1-0, L Blanchfield 0-1, W Murphy 0-7 (6 frees). Sub K Brennan 0-1 (free).