The wait is finally over for the famed Bennettsbridge Club. After 43 years and six failed attempts in finals we are finally bringing home the silverware for the clubs first team. For the older generations and men who last won county honours for the club the burden is finally lifted. So on the third time of asking the team from the Bridge have finally lifted the cup and only fitting too when most teams would have lost heart after the last 2 years this bunch of men came out with even more determination and got their reward. So on a day with a touch of sadness when some club stalwarts were looking down on them the job was made that bit easier with a great opening half. A pointed free by Nickey Cleere followed by one from play by Cormac Wafer meant the Bridge were off to a perfect start. Mooncoin responded with 3 points in a row but a further pointed free by Nickey Cleere had the teams level after 12 minutes. The teams exchanged pointed frees before the Bridge had a run of 8 unanswered points. When Mooncoin finally got a point it was quickly replied to with a great individual goal from county minor star Liam Blanchfield. This brought the game to half time and the Bridge went in leading by 1-11 to 0-5. Remarkably the Bridge had no wides in the first half. Scores in the second half were hard to come by but again the lads if not scoring a lot themselves did not allow Mooncoin get any kind of run on them. Nickey Cleeres free taking was a joy to watch and when the final whistle did eventually blow it was met with wild celebrations. Robert Lennon received the cup on behalf of the team from county Chaiman Ned Quinn and also JJ Kavanagh on behalf of the sponsors. Later in the dressing room Ned Quinn spoke to the players and said some of the best players he ever saw play the game came from this famous club and they should be proud to wear such a famous jersey. He wished them the best of luck in the club Leinster Championship. The team and supporters went to Langtons for a meal and went on then to a mighty homecoming in the village. It was a long time coming but with the age profile and drive there is much more to come. The team was E Cleere, S Wemyss, R Lennon, J Moran, J Cleere, E Morrissey, A Cleere 0-1, D Wafer, K Blanchfield 0-1, H O Neil 0-1, B Lannon 0-2, N Cleere 0-7 (6 frees,1 65), L Blanchfield 1-1, C Wafer 0-1, S Morrissey 0-2. Subs used W Murphy 0-1 for K Blanchfield and M Shiel for L Blanchfield.
The team get no rest however as they will represent Kilkenny in the Leinster Championship this Sunday in Trim against Meath County Intermediate Champions at 2pm. | 
