Giants of old ‘Bridge 44-year gap to reach final

THE Kilkenny senior hurling final in two weeks’ time will feature an old, familiar name in the once mighty Bennettsbridge.

The ‘Bridge, home of huge hurling names like Noel Skehan, Seamus Cleere, Jim Treacy and Paddy Moran, have won the title 12 times in all but their last came back in 1971.

Yesterday they qualified for their first senior final since 1974 by beating neighbours Clara by 3-19 to 2-17 in the first semi-final. The star of the show was roving corner forward Sean Morrissey, who has been on and off the Kilkenny county panel and scored 2-5 from play.

The winners led by 2-9 to 1-10 at the break thanks to goals from Morrissey and Brian Lannon. The former junior and intermediate All-Ireland club champions charged on to victory with Morrissey leading the way along with Nicky Cleere, who struck 0-7.

The second semi-final will be played next Sunday at Nowlan Park. This will feature the Henry Shefflin-managed Ballyhale Shamrocks and Conor Fogarty’s Erin’s Own (Castlecomer), who pulled off a surprise when beating James Stephens in a replayed quarter-final 1-15 to 1-13 on Saturday.

Another giant of the Kilkenny club scene, Carrickshock, were relegated to the intermediate grade over the weekend. Richie Hogan contributed nine points as Danesfort secured their continued involvement in the senior grade with a 0-19 to 2-9 win in the relegation final.