Bennettsbridge (Kilkenny) 1-17
Abbeyknockmoy (Galway) 1-14

Sean Morrissey's late goal ensured back-to-back All-Ireland club titles for Kilkenny's Bennettsbridge this afternoon as they edged Abbeyknockmoy of Galway.

At a rain-soaked Croke Park, the Leinster champions snatched victory in this thrilling intermediate decider thanks to Morrissey's fortuitous 56th minute goal, after having trailed by four with 10 minutes left on the clock.

Paul Flaherty's barrage of scores late in the first-half helped bring 6/1 underdogs Abbeyknockmoy on level terms (0-10 each) by half-time and it was the men from the west that upped it a gear for the second-half, firing in their goal in the 42nd minute via midfield stalwart Damien Rooney.

That appeared to turn the game for the Connacht champions as they'd increase their lead to four but the would-be winners held their nerve in the last quarter as Nicky Cleere, scorer of 0-7, and Morrissey (1-6) picked off vital scores to bring them level.

What ensued after that was something that will no doubt haunt the travelling Abbeyknockmoy contingent for some time, as a point attempt by Morrissey from the right wing slipped over their goalkeeper's head and into the back of the net.

The westsiders would throw the kitchen sink at their opponents after to try and salvage something in closing stages but both sides remained scoreless in the frantic finish, which was enough for Bennettsbridge to upgrade 2015's All-Ireland junior triumph.

The win capped off a Kilkenny double at Croke Park with Glenmore victorious in the All-Ireland junior final after overcoming Eoghan Rua of Derry by 2-8 to 0-12 earlier on today.

Bennettsbridge - E Cleere; J Moran, R Lennon, C Wafer; J Cleere, E Morrissey, A Cleere; D Wafer, K Blanchfield; N Cleere (0-7f), S Morrissey (1-6), B Lannon (0-1); W Murphy (0-2), L Blanchfield, H O'Neill (0-1). Subs: S Wemyss for K Blanchfield, M Shiel for W Murphy, K Brennan for B Lannon.

Abbeyknockmoy - D Molloy; R Cooley, J Culkin, T Farragher; T Mullins, B Flaherty (0-1), B Costello (0-1); D Rooney (1-0), C Mulry (0-1); D Mullins, C Maher, E Blade (0-1); P Flaherty (0-8, 5f), B O'Donnell, F Garvey (0-1). Subs: C Kennedy (0-1) for B O'Donnell, P O'Donnell for E Blade.

Referee - J Keenan.

Tweet

Most Read Stories