Mackessy top scores as Ryan shines
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
St Canice’s Credit Union Kilkenny SHC Semi-Final
UPMC Nowlan Park
O’Loughlin Gaels 2-17 Bennettsbridge 1-14
It was fairly plain sailing for reigning county champions O’Loughlin Gaels as they secured their place in this year’s decider with a 6-point win over Bennettsbridge in UPMC Nowlan Park. In a game that promised much, it never really lived up to its billing and the holders will know that bigger challenges lie ahead, should they retain their crown when they meet Thomastown next weekend. Missing the suspended Mikey Butler and captain Mark Bergin, Brian Hogan’s outfit had big showing’s from Fionan Mackessy, Paddy Deegan and the lively Jamie Ryan.
Both sides started the first of the last four battles nervously, hitting a couple of bad wide’s, before Bennettsbridge opened the scoring in the seventh minute. Some nice play by Ciaran Brennan saw him give a pass to Hugh O’Neill, and the big midfielder split the posts. Brian Hogan’s men got off the mark shortly after, thanks to a free from Kerry star Fionan Mackessy, after Sean Bolger was fouled. The ‘Bridge retook the lead from the restart when Kevin Blanchfield took the catch and was halted illegally by a combination of Jordan Molloy and Conor Heary. Nicky Cleere stepped up and converted the placed ball from out on the right side of the pitch.
One of O’Loughlin’s best performers this season Jamie Ryan then notched what would be the first of a 4-point haul for the midfielder, having taken a nice pass from Conor Heary. The champions then took the lead with ten minutes on the clock. After a little bit of a shemozzle, David Fogarty emerged with the ball before striking over a stunning effort close to the right sideline, near on half way. Things got a little better from the restart when after a little bit of pinball, Jamie Ryan ran onto the loose ball before striking over another lovely score. Tim Dooley’s side needed a score and they got one, courtesy of a free from Sean Morrisey after Nicky Cleere had been fouled. The same player then drew his side level after taking a pass from Liam Blanchfield with sixteen minutes played at UPMC Nowlan Park.
The Bennettsbridge No.15 was very much to the fore for his side, and he struck his third point on the bounce when he took a short pass from Shane Byrne, before rifling over from distance. With a spring in their step, they went two clear thanks to a lovely point from James Hughes, who benefited greatly from a great break out of defence by David Blanchfield. The Lough’s stopped the run of scores when Ronan Buckley, in for the suspended Mikey Butler found Jamie Ryan in Space and the midfielder sent over another classy score. Owen Wall was then fouled as he tried to wriggle clear of David Blanchfield’s grasp. Fionan Mackessy stood over the free just beyond the 21-yard line and struck a fierce daisy-cutter style shot that evaded all on the Bridge goal line to nestle in the net.
O’Loughlin Gaels then went three points clear, thanks to the quick reactions of Conor Kelly, in for suspended skipper, Mark Bergin, capitalised on some poor control from Corner back Timmy Kelly to split the posts. The Bridge were then penalised for a touch on the ground and most expected placed ball taker, Mackessy to strike for a point, but the Kerry man played the ball short to Paddy Deegan in space, and despite fumbling his pick-up first time round, last year’s county captain sent over a booming score to leave is side firmly in control with half time only a few minutes away.
The impressive Fionan Mackessy then popped over another free after Owen Wall was stopped in his tracks as he looked to drive forward. A second major almost arrived before the short whistle sounded, as Enda Cleere advanced quickly off his line to snuff out the danger from Sean Bolgers attempted strike on goal. Bolger then set up Conor Heary for a fine point as he slipped the ball to the hard-working Heary who batted over to make it double scores. Brian Hogan was then forced to make a change before the interval, when Luke Hogan pulled up sharpish with what looked like a hamstring injury and was replaced by Eoin O’Shea. The last score of the first period came from the hurl of Nicky Cleere from a ‘65 as O’Loughlin’s went into the changing rooms with a 5-point lead.
When play resumed, Bennettsbridge struck first, a free from half way, converted by Nicky Cleere. The same player reduced his sides deficit to three points shortly after, intercepting Tony Forristal’s clearance before striking over. Just the start that Tim Dooley and Dan Shanahan would have wanted from their charges. O’Loughlin’s got the scoreboard moving in the second half from their top scorer, Fionan Mackessy who struck over another free, effortlessly from distance. A second burst forward from midfield by Kevin Blanchfield saw the Bridge man impeded and Nicky Cleere did the rest from the resulting free.
Owen Wall then took a great score, having taken a whack from Conor Murphy and escaping the clutches of Ciaran Brennan. Referee Conor Everard issued a yellow card to the former before play resumed. Another barnstorming run from Conor Heary resulted in the O’Loughlin’s man being fouled, and this gave Fionan Mackessy a chance to increase his personal tally, a chance that he wasn’t going to miss. The Bridge responded with a monstrous effort from play by Nicky Cleere. They built on this score by striking the next as well, another booming point, this time from Kevin Blanchfield, as the gap was back to three points again. Mackessy, again was the man to respond for Brian Hogan’s outfit, once more from a free after Bridge keeper Enda Cleere had made a mess of a free of his own placed ball. The Kerry Native notched the next score as well, from a ‘65 after more slack play from Bennettsbridge.
Jason Cleere then got his name on the scoresheet, pointing after taking a nice pass from David Blanchfield. Some neat play out of defence from O’Loughlin’s saw Ronan Buckley find Jack Nolan in acres of space centrefield, and the midfielder struck over a fine point. Then came the second major for the holders. A powerful direct burst through the middle of UPMC Nowlan Park by Jack Nolan saw the Loughs man leave all in his wake. As he approached the danger zone, he flicked a pass to substitute Sammy Johnston who unleashed a fierce shot across Enda Cleere to the Bennettsbridge net. O’Loughlin’s now 8 points to the good with about five minutes of normal time remaining. A couple of bad wide’s followed for Tim Dooley’s side before Owen Wall passed to Jamie Ryan, who spun beautifully before rifling over.
Bennettsbridge then raised a green flag of their own as the clock approached 60 minutes. A long searching delivery into the O’Loughlin’s defence was collected by Jack Campion who struck his shot well, but he was denied by Stephen Murphy. The rebound was collected by David Blanchfield who gave Murphy no chance with his bullet of a shot. The Bridge hit the next score also, Jack Campion passing to Timmy Kelly who split the posts with the game in injury time. The final score of the game came from the hurl of Fionan Mackessy, after Kevin Blanchfield conceded a late free. The long whistle sounded; O’Loughlin’s were through to a second consecutive county final. Final score, O’Loughlin Gaels 2-17, Bennettsbridge 1-14.
Scorers: O’Loughlin Gaels: F Mackessy (1-7, 0-7 frees); J Ryan (0-4); S Johnston (1-0); D Fogarty, P Deegan, J Nolan, O Wall, C Heary, C Kelly (0-1 each)
Scorers: Bennettsbridge: N Cleere (0-6, 0-3 frees and 0-1 ‘65); D Blanchfield (1-0); S Morrissey (0-3); T Kelly, H O’Neill, K Blanchfield, J Cleere, J Hughes (0-1 each)
O’LOUGHLIN GAELS: S Murphy; T Forristal, H Lawlor, R Buckley; D Fogarty, P Deegan, J Molloy; J Ryan, J Nolan; C Kelly, O Wall, F Mackessy; S Bolger, L Hogan, C Heary.
Subs: E O’Shea for Hogan (31), S Johnston for Bolger (49), P Butler for Nolan (56), J Young for Molloy (59).
BENNETTSBRIDGE: E Cleere; T Kelly, E Morrissey, S Byrne; B Hughes, D Blanchfield, C Murphy; H O’Neill, K Blanchfield; N Cleere, J Cleere, J Hughes; C Brennan, L Blanchfield, S Morrissey.
Subs: J Campion for Brennan (42), D Murphy for O’Neill (47), R Lennon for L Blanchfield (54).
Referee: Conor Everard (Graigue Ballycallan)
