GAELIC SPORTS WORLD Issue 20 – February 22, 2015 | Page 35

to throw in the towel and two
quick points from Francis
Cassidy and Michael Molloy
on the restart narrowed the
gap to two. Both sides found
scores difficult to come by but
it was Brosna who found the
range with a further brace of
points heading into the closing stages.
John Mitchels fought back
once again with points from
Conal McGlade and John
McDermott and with just two
Fullen Gaels of Manchester, All-Britain Junior Hurling Champions. (Photo: Fullen Gaels, Manchester).
in it the large Liverpool following found renewed hope. However, Brosna kicked on
before the Gaels replied with two of their own to leave it 0-5
again with another point to see off a dogged Mitchels on a
to 0-3. Fullen could have capitalized further when awarded an
scoreline of 0-8 to 0-5.
8th minute penalty but Vincent Morrissey’s effort was put over
the bar. Still, Fullen Gaels were competing well and only two
The following day on Sunday, Manchester’s Fullen Gaels
points adrift.
and London’s Kilburn Gaels took to the Croke Park sod. The
travelling fans were there in big numbers with hopes of All
But moments later Bennettsbridge struck for their first goal
Ireland glory.
and followed this up with a brace of points to stretch the lead
with Fullen staying in touch through a point of their own. The
Fullen Gaels were the underdogs in the All Ireland Junior
21st minute saw the Kilkenny side strike for their second goal
Hurling Club final when up against Kilkenny junior chamwith last year’s All Ireland winning minor, Liam Blanchfield,
pions, Bennettsbridge. Past club accolades and recent good
doing the damage. The favourites added further points before
form favoured a young high-scoring Kilkenny side, but Fulfinding the back of the net for the third time and by the time
len also had ambitions as they narrowly failed at the same
the half time whistle blew, Bennettsbride were in control leadjuncture two years ago when going down to the opposition’s
ing by 3-11 to 0-6.
county neighbours, Thomastown.
Fullen Gaels trailing by a massive amount fought on through
Fullen Gaels also had an excellent win in the semi-final
the second period but the young Cats outfit were that bit sharpwhen easily dispatching Castleblayney of County Monaghan
er and though they failed to breach the Fullen Gaels rear-guard
and the All-Britain Junior Hurling champions had shown
for further goals, they were always able to keep the scoreboard
well through the All Ireland series.
ticking over. Fullen did manage to find the back of the net late
on but unfortunately were second best and fell to a 3-19 to 1-8
The opening minutes were hard fought with both side shardefeat. For a small club of some 50 members to reach the final
ing points. Bennettsbride then hit three points on ѡ