Bennetts bursting with pride

A memorable season for Stephen Bennett ended on a memorable note yesterday.

Bennett, a member of the Waterford team that ended the county’s 65-year wait for an All-Ireland minor hurling title, was a key man as Ballysaggart collected their first Munster Club JHC crown in Mallow.

It was a special day for the Bennett family with brothers Shane and Kieran also on the team while father Pat was on the management team.

“I’d struggle to pick out any of our lads today, they were all outstanding, all over the field,” said Bennett — though he did have a couple of words to say about one particular hero — goalkeeper Matty Meagher.

“Matty has been unbelievable. He’s 40 years of age but he’s like a good wine, it’s better he’s getting with. He’s been absolutely superb this year, caught great balls today and did the same against Grenagh (Cork champions, quarter-final win) when he caught one in the last minute under all kinds of pressure inside the square. But that was the kind of performance we needed all over the field. And that’s what we got.”

He added: “We knew Feenagh were a very good team, we’d seen them play. They’re physically strong and (have) good hurlers. The big thing for us was to match their intensity and their work-rate.

“What we had to do was keep our discipline at the back — they got eight of their nine points in the first half from placed balls and we managed that better in the second half.”

A disappointed but proud Feenagh/Kilmeedy manager DJ O’Sullivan paid tribute to his men — and to the victors after an enthralling game.

“We weren’t given much hope but we did well. They had the marquee forward (in Stephen Bennett), his 1-4 in the first half, that’s what caught us, they had that safety-net then for the whole game.

“The two goals they got in the second half then added to that cushion, they were able to funnel back then and crowd us out, and their defence was excellent.

“But I’d be fierce proud of our fellas, the dedication they’ve shown all year — Gerard O’Gorman in midfield, we wanted to take him off at half-time, his knuckle was broken, but he refused and gave it everything.

“That’s typical of the entire panel this year. It’s been brilliant for the parish.”

He continued: “It was a great experience for our lads, a new standard and that’s the one thing we’ve noticed in Munster — the standard. You either stand up or lie down. That’s what hurling is all about, being able to stand up for yourself. We lost, but we lost to a very good side.”