GBC knew they would have a tough battle on their hands as they took on Bennettsbridge in the 1st Round of the St. Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling Championship in UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday at 2pm.
A Conor Murphy free and a point from play for Aaron Brennan saw GBC 0-2 to 0-1 after the opening 3 minutes. Bennettsbridge then found their gears scoring 3 points without reply until Conor Murphy pointed a free in the 10th minute to leave the score 0-3 to 0-4. At the water break it was 0-6 to 0-4 to the Bridge. After the water break The Bridge upped the gears again adding 5 more points to GBC’s two frees. The gap at halftime could have been more only for a great on the line save from Ciaran Hoyne left the score at halftime 0-11 to 0-6 to The Bridge.
The second half was only seconds on when The Bridge made a powerful run for the goal but a tackle from Eamonn Egan saw Gavin Quilty give a red card. In fairness to GBC they didn’t let the heads drop and would turn the match into a battle. Five frees from Conor Murphy and a point from play from Sean Ryan left GBC only 3 points behind at the water break 0-12 to 0-15. The last 15 minutes were going to be massive for both teams. GBC piled the pressure on with a Shane Butler point and 2 more frees for Conor Murphy. Unfortunately a late goal from play from Conor Murphy was not enough on the day, The Bridge winning on a scoreline of 0-20 to 1-15.
GBC now have a relegation Semi Final with Rower Inistioge next weekend. This match has been fixed for Saturday 5th September at 3.30pm in Dunnamaggin.
Team: Ciaran Hoyne, Darragh Egan, Conor Flynn Stephen Keoghan, Tom Dunphy, Eamonn Egan, Killian Egan, Tommy Ronan, Colum Prendiville, Conor Murphy, Shane Butler, Jesse Roberts, Aaron Brennan, Billy Ryan, Sean Ryan.
Subs used: Richie O’Neill for Ciaran Hoyne (inj), Bob Murphy for Jesse Roberts, Philip Cahill for Aaron Brennan.
Scores: Conor Murphy 1-12 (0-12 frees) Sean Ryan, Shane Butler and Aaron Brennan 0-1 point each.
Report by Noel Brett (Club PRO)