A Bridge too far for The Sash as major brace seals extra-time win
BY NIALL SHERRY, SPORTS EDITOR
SPORTSEDITOR@KILKENNYOBSERVER.IE
St Canice’s Credit Union Kilkenny Senior Championship
The weekend promised much, four intriguing quarter-final encounters, but a weather warning for Sunday saw that day’s action postponed, leaving Saturday’s two senior tussles as the fair available for Gaels on Noreside. The first of the last eight ties saw Thomastown claim the bragging rights following their 2-point win over Shamrocks Ballyhale who fail to make the semi-final line up for the first time in ages. The later game on Saturday saw matters go right to the wire, with extra time needed to separate Bennettsbridge and Tullaroan, with the former running out 6-point winners.
The postponed fixtures will take place this weekend, with the double bill scheduled for UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday, Mullinavat’s meeting with Erin’s Own throwing-in at 1:30pm and Dicksboro’s clash with county champions, O’Loughlin Gaels due to start two hours later.
Thomastown 0-21 Shamrocks 1-16
Having secured their return to the top table of hurling in Kilkenny, Thomastown have proved to be a real handful for the more ‘seasoned’ teams on Noreside, and claiming the scalp of Shamrocks Ballyhale will serve as notice to all other teams in the county, that you will underestimate them at your peril. Robbie Donnelly was the scoring star on Saturday, finishing with a personal tally of 0-10, while goalkeeper Diarmuid Galway pulled-off a magnificent save to deny a certain goal for intercounty star, Adrian Mullen, who like his attacking colleagues found the going tough in Callan and were well-shackled throughout the game. Noel Doherty will have been happy to get minutes into the legs of Stephen Donnelly, who also got on the scoresheet after returning from injury.
For Shamrocks Ballyhale, it’s an early finish to their season, and this season’s performances will no doubt be analyzed over the Autumn and Winter periods, to try and get to the bottom of their disappointing form this campaign. Lots of key players were carrying injuries throughout league and championship, while veteran forward, Colin Fennelly had been clocking up the miles, jetting in from Dubai for the last few games, having done brilliantly to get back from serious injury. Joey Holden’s return to club hurling was short lived, but getting a full pre-season under his belt for next year’s club campaign will definitely help both player and team. If the South Kilkenny side get secure the services of Ronan Corcoran and Brian Cody, this would enhance their chances of laying down a stronger challenge in 2025.
Bennettsbridge 2-26 Thomastown 1-23 (AET)
The second instalment on Saturday was always going to be a close, tightly-fought affair, and that’s exactly what panned out in Castlecomer. Many neutrals were in attendance as Tullaroan and Bennettsbridge gave their all in a fascinating battle that needed extra-time to split the sides. Both these entertaining sides would have fancied their chances of claiming a semi-final berth, and with many classy hurlers on show it was a clash that delivered.
Bennettsbridge notched two majors in Canon Kearns Park, Liam Blanchfield and sub Jack Campion the green flag raisers for Tim Dooley’s side. As referenced by ‘Bridge coach Dan Shanahan afterwards, Liam Blanchfield’s desire and determination to get himself on the pitch speaks volumes about the bustling forward’s attitude and love for his club. Despite Bill Gaffney opening the scoring with a wonderful point inside two minutes and a thoroughly exceptional display from Mossy Keoghan, coupled with a Dylan Simpson penalty in the opening period, it was The ‘Bridge that forced an additional twenty minutes when young Campion made a sensational entrance to proceedings.
With county star David Blanchfield anchoring matters from centre back, his influence on the younger players around him is evident, with Conor Murphy, one such example. David may have missed the opportunity to raise a green flag himself from the spot, but he was a driving force in his sides victory over The Sash as they pulled clear in extra time. Tim Dooley and Waterford icon Shanahan, have gathered a very committed bunch, that have put many other things on hold, in the belief that there is a Tom Walsh Cup in this panel. They will not fear anyone in the last four and know that time may be running out for some of the elder members of the squad, so the time to deliver is now.
