St Fechin’s Book Final Spot with Impressive Victory Over Knockbridge
Louth Senior Hurling Championship Round 2
St Fechins 0-19 Knockbridge HC 1-9
St Fechins secured their place in the Louth Senior Hurling Championship final with a deserved 0-19 to 1-9 victory over Knockbridge, producing a polished display in the Integral GAA Grounds, Drogheda before pulling clear with a dominant first-half performance.
Knockbridge made the perfect start when Adam Plunkett opened the scoring inside the opening minute to edge his side in front. St Fechins responded immediately, however, and quickly found their rhythm.
Conor Mathews levelled the game before Paddy Lynch struck two excellent points in succession to put St Fechins ahead. Ronan Hackett then got off the mark as the Fechins attack began to click, while Lynch continued to punish the Knockbridge defence with another point from play and a converted free.
St Fechins came agonisingly close to finding the net after 15 minutes when Sean Kerrisk burst through on goal, only for Knockbridge goalkeeper Ronan Byrne to produce a superb save from close range to keep his side in contention.
Knockbridge responded with points from Robert Wallace and James Costello, while Ricky McKeown landed two frees to keep the gap manageable. However, St Fechins finished the half in emphatic fashion.
Lynch converted a 65 before Sean Hodgins added his first score. Another pointed free from Lynch was followed by two excellent efforts from Darragh Stone, while Ronan Hackett rounded off the first-half scoring as St Fechins took a commanding 0-12 to 0-5 lead into the interval.
The second half followed a similar pattern. Hackett opened the scoring after the restart before Lynch added another point from play and another free to stretch the advantage.
Knockbridge continued to battle and were rewarded with points from David Kettle and Sean Flynn, but St Fechins always had an answer. Hackett added two more impressive scores, Sean Hodgins chipped in with his second point, while Lynch continued to lead by example as the margin remained comfortable.
To their credit, Knockbridge kept battling until the finish and were rewarded on 55 minutes when Adam Plunkett found the net with a well-taken goal. Aidan Fitzpatrick added a pointed free before Sean Flynn converted another late free, but the outcome was never in doubt.
St Fechins were full value for their victory, with Paddy Lynch finishing as top scorer with nine points, while Ronan Hackett contributed five points in an influential display. Strong performances throughout the team, coupled with disciplined defending, ensured St Fechins ran out deserving winners and booked their place in the county final and they play Naomh Moninne next Thursday night in Round 3.
Scorers
St Fechins: Paddy Lynch 0-9 (4 frees, 1 65), Ronan Hackett 0-5, Darragh Stone 0-2, Sean Hodgins 0-2, Conor Mathews 0-1
Knockbridge: Adam Plunkett 1-1, Ricky McKeown 0-2 (frees), Sean Flynn 0-2 (1 free), Robert Wallace 0-1, James Costello 0-1, David Kettle 0-1, Aidan Fitzpatrick 0-1 (free)
St Fechins: Ruairi Morrissey, Cathal Moynagh, Conor Mathews, Conor Higgins, Peter Fortune, Sean Hodgins, George Allen, Donal Ryan, Ryan McGinlay, Danny Morgan, Sean Kerrisk, Ian Connor, Paddy Lynch, Darragh Stone, Ronan Hackett.
Subs: Cathal Ryan for Conor Mathews (7), David Stephenson for Ian Connor (45), Shane Curtis for Donal Ryan (59), Patrick McCarthy for George Allen (60)
Knockbridge HC: Ronan Byrne, Andrew Smyth, Conor Quigley, Ronan Mulholland, Stephen Hoey, Ben Goss Kieran, Aidan Fitzpatrick, Daire McKiernan, James Costello, Robert Wallace, Sean Flynn, Gareth Hall, Adam Plunkett, David Kettle, Ricky McKeown.
Subs: Kevin Plunkett for Andrew Smyth (26), Ryan Holland for Robert Wallace (HT), Robert Wallace for Ricky McKeown (39), James Searson for Ronan Mulholland (50), Gavin Kerrigan for Adam Plunkett (60).
Referee: Martin Dawson (Moynalty)
Photo: Ciaran Culligan Photography
