Wolfe Tones have bowed out of the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship losing to Kilkenny side Bennettsbridge.

Bennettsbridge 0-15 Wolfe Tones 0-08
Venue: St Rynagh’s GAA, Banagher

By Páraic McMahon - January 23, 2016 The Clare Herald. Pic: John Meyler Photography

Aaron Cunningham put the Shannon men into the lead with less than a minute played however The Bridge responded with Nicky Cleere on target from two frees. County man, Aron Shanagher picked up his first score of the day on seven minutes with a free only for Bennettsbridge to respond with two points and take the lead they would never relinquish. James Carrigg’s men lost Vice Captain Jamie Roughan to injury with twenty minutes on the clock.

Ben O’Gorman with a fantastic free from ninety yards out lowered the gap to two points with fifteen minutes played but the Kilkenny men replied with two points from Hugh O’Neill. Shanagher added to his tally with another free but his effort was cancelled out by Sean Morrissey. Two late frees from Aron Shanagher lowered the gap to two points at the sounding of the half-time whistle.

Kilkenny Junior Champions in 2014, Bennettsbridge took control of the second half from the off with Nicky Cleere hitting four points in succession. It took Wolfe Tones sixteen minutes to get their first score of the second half via Aaron Cunningham. Managed by Christy Walsh, Bennettsbridge secured the win with a stunning point from Sean Morrissey.

On the day there can be no doubt over who was the stronger team as Bennettsbridge coped better with the difficult underfoot conditions. As they reflect on their campaign, Wolfe Tones can certainly be proud of their efforts in winning promotion to the Clare SHC and picking up a Munster title. Such a journey can only benefit them as they prepare for life back in the senior ranks.

Wolfe Tones; Paul Hogan, Dermot O’Rourke, Jamie Roughan, Declan McCarthy; Brian O’Connell, Bobby McPhillips, Barry Loughnane; Ben O’Gorman (0-01 1f), John Guilfoyle; Aaron Cunningham (0-02), Gary O’Connell, Jack Cunningham; Kevin McCafferty, Aron Shanagher (0-04 4f), Daithí O’Connell.

Subs: Rory Hayes for Roughan (20) (Inj), Declan O’Rourke for McCafferty (41), Dean Devanney for Guilfoyle (47), Andy Shanagher for J Cunningham (58).

Referee: John O’Brien (Tipperary)