This year was another triumphant year for the Knockbridge hurlers. They retained the Louth championship. Moreover, at the time of writing, the team were preparing for a Leinster junior hurling championship final writes Cian O Raghallaigh. 2006 offered a challenge to the Knockbridge hurlers. They were hoping to build on what had been a successful 2005. In last year's championship, Knockbridge went unbeaten en route to another senior hurling championship triumph: Pearse Og, Wolfe Tones and Naomh Moninne were defeated on the way to the final. Knockbridge were in excellent form and defeated Pearse Og by seven points in the final after a replay. In the Leinster championship, Knockbridge beat Longford champions Clonguish before Wexford side Oulart the Ballagh ended their aspirations. Although they were only formed in 1999, Knockbridge have managed to compete with the best hurling teams in Louth since that time, winning several county titles. A management team of Aidan Kerrigan, Aidan Costello and Gerry Dunne can be justifiably proud of the team's achievements this year. They ensured that the team was in superb shape during the year and that no stone was left unturned in their quest for glory. Not only did Knockbridge win the Louth title, they also advanced to the Leinster junior final. This atoned somewhat for last year's disappointment at the hands of the Wexford champions in the senior competition. This year Knockbridge encountered Pearse Og and Wolfe Tones in the opening phase of the championship. They lost to Pearse Og but then beat Wolfe Tones. In the play-off stages, Knockbridge then beat Pearse Og to advance to the final. The game between Pearse Og and Wolfe Tones would then decide who would advance to the final. Pearse Og's victory meant a repeat of the 2005 decider. 'Familiarity breeds respect' read the headline in the Dundalk Democrat before the game. Rather than hostility or contempt between the teams, the regularity of finals held between the teams instead brought about mutual regard. They have met three times in finals during that times and also before the final. And games were usually close, as Knockbridge's Trevor Hilliard pointed out in an interview with the same newspaper that week. "We might have beaten them well in the play-off but we're taking nothing for granted. They were missing some of their best players that day such as Shane Callan and Gerard Smyth and as we saw with the Joe's and the Pat's in the senior football final (a game won by St Joseph's), the favourites don't always win," he stated. This year's final proved no different. Knockbridge were superb in the first half and scored 1-11 in the process. Although Mattie Boland responded to Trevor Hilliard's goal before half-time, Knockbridge were seven to the good at the break. In the second half, Pearse Og battled gamely but with Ronan Byrne, in particular, in excellent form, found Pearse Og hard to break down. The losers did manage a second half goal and were only a point down going into injury time but Knockbridge were not to be denied, scoring two late points to win by 1-14 to 2-8. Winning the Louth championship placed Knockbridge in the Leinster junior club championship. The tournament has proven a resounding success. Knockbridge overcame the junior champions of Wexford, Laois and Offaly to progress to the final. Offaly's Ballinamere proved a tricky first hurdle. Leading by seven points with only minutes remaining, Knockbridge's deficit was reduced to just two points in the closing stages. It may have been a nerve-wracking finale but Knockbridge held out for a 0-12 to 0-10 victory. Knockbridge then beat Ballyfin by the narrowest of margins. Trailing at half-time by three points, Shane Fennell's goal in the second half proved the turning point and laid the platform for this Knockbridge win. A three-point victory over Our Lady's Island, Wexford confirmed their passage to the Leinster final. Oxyarc are the current sponsors of the team. Managing Director Donal Murphy has been on Knockbridge's hurling committee for the last couple of years. He attends senior hurling matches whenever he can and traveled to Clonturk in June for the under-14 Feile. Oxy-Arc are based in Dundalk and distribute hand tools, welding and engineering equipment throughout Ireland. The company, established in 1979 began as an agent for BOC gases and has since expanded to become the market leader covering the 32 counties with distributorships like MUREX welding equipment and TYROLIT abrasives. Donal says that the company has seen many changes and challenges in the last few years. "The Celtic Tiger boom has been great for business and has presented many opportunities which I and my dedicated and experienced staff have made the most of. Like Knockbridge hurling club, we are confidently looking forward to the future knowing that the groundwork has been done," he says. Knockbridge can be delighted with their progress this year. In stepping down from the Leinster senior competition to junior level, they have managed to compete and win matches. They have become a confident group of hurlers and will already be looking to emulate these achievements in 2007. Judging by their success in championship hurling this season, they are well on track. Tweet

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