No joy for Exile sides this weekend
The dream is over English sides’ quest to claim an elusive AIB-GAA All-Ireland title as both Fullen Gaels and Kilburn Gaels suffered losses in today’s hurling finals in Croke Park.
Bennettsbridge of Kilkenny proved a step above the British junior hurling champions as they blasted past the Manchester side to record a 17 point win in the day’s early game. The early exchanges were tight but once Colm O’Callaghan fluffed a ninth minute penalty for the Lancastrians when they trailed by 0-4 to 0-2, the ‘Bridge took over.
Brian Lannon scored the opening goal in the 12th minute, before teenager Liam Blanchfield ran through from 30 metres to bat home. He then set up Hugh O’Neill before the break to slot home, to leave the Kilkenny side ahead by 3-11 to 0-6 at the break.
Vincent Morrissey was a threat in the opening 30 minutes for the Exiles, but when he received a straight red card for an incident with Kevin Blanchfield, 25 seconds into the second half, it was damage limitation for Fullen Gaels.
They tried hard and, with the Kilkenny side easing off considerably, the game ended with a late consolation goal scored by Kilkenny native Tom Corcoran. By that stage the encounter was long over as a contest and Bennttsbridge ran out 3-19 to 1-8 winners as wing forward Nicky Cleere top scored with a total of 0-10.
The loss is especially heartbreaking for the Manchester side as they also lost the junior final in 2013 to Kilkenny’s Thomastown
In the day’s second match at GAA HQ, O’Donovan Rossa of Antrim proved too strong for a spirited Kilburn Gaels, as they claimed the AIB-Intermediate hurling club title with a 1-9 to 2-3 win.
The game was a very tense affair and with scores at a premium the sides were level at 0-2 each after 17 minutes. A late surge from the Belfast side gave them a half time lead of 0-4 to 0-2 thanks to points from Gerard Walsh and Sean Shannon.
The game then exploded into life after half time as ‘Rossa scored the first goal of the tie through Stephen Beatty and it seemed they would kick -on for glory.
However they were never able to shake off the London club, and two goals from Keith Killea-his second in the 51st minute-made for an exciting finish. ‘Rossa held on and scored two insurance points late on to lift the intermediate crown in a damp Croke Park.
