The trophies continue to fly into Knockbridge at lightning pace. In 2001, the Wee County's youngest hurling club once again performed like seasoned veterans in the winning stakes, dominating the Louth hurling scene. In only their third year in existence, the prolific Knockbridge hurling club enjoyed yet another highly successful year, winning the Louth Senior Hurling Championship for the second successive year. The senior championship win qualified the club for another crack at the AIB Leinster Club Championship, in which they were due to play the Meath champions in Trim on Sunday November 4th. This game had not yet been played when 'Wee County' went to press but there's no doubting the Louth champions gave a good account of themselves at provincial level. Knockbridge also had a great year at juvenile level, retaining their minor championship, U14 Feile and U14 championship titles. However, there was some disappointment during the year, notably when for the first time since their formation - the club's seniors failed to win the Louth senior league title. They also failed to maintain their Division One status in the Armagh League, finishing with only eight points from 14 matches. Louth Senior Champions The highlight of Knockbridge's season was winning the senior championship for the second time, beating Wolfe Tones by 0-17 to 2-6 with an impressive final performance at The Grove, Castlebellingham on Saturday August 18th. Knockbridge laid the foundation for victory when - with the aid of a strong wind and driving rain - the forwards and midfield were unerring from play, registering on the scoreboard at will to give the mid-Louth side a half time lead of 0-14 to 0-3. In the second half, county midfielders David Dunne and Eddie Quigley started to dominate, ably backed up by Paul Dunne, Aaron Hoey, Niall Byrne, James Quigley, Conal O hUallachain, Andrew Commiskey, Paul Mackin and 'keeper Brendan McNally. From the forward line, Pearse Murphy, Trevor Hilliard (Man of the Match), Sean Byrne and Aaron Hoey all scored, as did centre back Ray Kelly. In the final minutes, Tones' Conor Moore scored a goal from close range and Ollie Kelly missed a penalty before Moore scored his second goal. But it was a case of too little too late, as the village side ran out convincing winners. County Board Chairman Terry Maher congratulated Knockbridge on winning their second senior championship in only their third year in existence. He then presented team captain Niall Byrne with the Paddy Kelly Cup and wished the club the best of luck representing Louth hurling in the first round of the Leinster Club Championship. He also presented the Man of the Match award to wing forward Trevor Hilliard. Scorers for Knockbridge: Sean Byrne (0-2); David Dunne (0-2); Padraig Kieran (0-1); Trevor Hilliard (0-3); Pearse Murphy (0-2); Aaron Hoey (0-3); Eddie Quigley (0-1); Conal O hUallachain (0-3). AIB Leinster Club Championship Knockbridge travelled to Trim to play the Meath champions on Sunday November 4th Unsuccessful Armagh League The senior hurlers were unfortunately relegated from Division One of the Armagh League, along with Castleblayney. This was mostly due to the Louth standard bearers' inability to field strong teams in early summer due to a combination of injuries and exams. A total of eight points proved insufficient to preserve their standing in the top flight and the team now recommences next year in Division Two, where they put together an unbeaten run two years ago. Next year's opposition will include Lurgan, Ballela (Downpatrick), Camlough, Derrynoose, Lisnaskea, Pearse Og and Castleblayney. Moving down into the second division will provide the club with an ideal opportunity to develop the hurling skills of the younger players, notably those who have won the last two minor championships, with the main objective being to return straight back to Division One in 2002. National Hurling League County hurlers Paul and David Dunne, Eddie Quigley, Conal O hUallachain, Trevor Hilliard and James Quigley played with the Louth senior hurlers in 2001. John Kennedy's and Joe Power's charges played three games in Division Two of the Church and General National Hurling League, beating Armagh and losing to Kildare and eventual winners Kerry before Louth were excluded from the league due to the Foot and Mouth outbreak. Everybody associated with Knockbridge is hopeful of seeing more of the club's players on the Louth senior hurling team for the new league and championship in the coming year. Minor Hurling Champions Knockbridge's minor hurlers retained the county title with a decisive victory over Wolfe Tones (4-17 to 1-7) in the final at Collon on Sunday September 30th. A Man of the Match performance from Paddy Mone, who scored two goals, paved the way for victory over a very determined Wolfe Tones side. Knockbridge trailed by 1-4 to 0-1 after the first quarter but a fine display of power hurling from Brian Dunne, Conor and Shane Kerrigan, David Casey, Brendan and Donal Mc Nally, Eamonn Peticrew, Shane Kennedy, Gavin Kane and goalkeeper Ronan Byrne turned the game around and secured a well deserved victory for the village side. The cup was presented to victorious captain Brendan Mc Nally by Coiste Iomana Chairman Gerry Dunne who congratulated both teams on a fine display of hurling and praised the Knockbridge side for staying together from the time they started hurling at under 10 level. Scorers for Knockbridge: Paddy Mone (2-0), Brendan Mc Nally (0-6), Adrian Wallace (1-1), Brian Dunne (0-2), Donal Mc Nally (1-3), Brian Dunne (0-2), Stephen Hilliard (0-1), Gavin Kane (0-2). U16 Championship Knockbridge qualified for the final when they won a North Louth blitz at the Na Piarsaigh pitch on Saturday October 20th. In the opening match they proved too strong for a very young Naomh Moninne side. In the North Louth final they came up against old rivals (and last year's finalists) Pearse Og. Knockbridge won by 3-9 to 2-5 after a vintage performance from midfielders Eamon Peticrew and Gavin Kane, coupled with great defending by Shane Kerrigan and Shane Kennedy. Full forward Ronan Byrne got the crucial goals to secure victory. There were also very committed performances from David Kettle, Kevin McNally, Conaill Byrne, Stephen Mackin, John Donnelly and Kevin Hilliard. Feile Winners The U14 hurlers retained the Feile title for the club when they beat a very skilful Termonfeckin side in the county final by 5-5 to 3-5 on the DKIT pitch on Thursday May 31st. There were good performances from Shane Toner (captain), Dara Herr, Deirdre Dunne, David Kettle, Errol Rooney, Conaill Byrne, Kevin McNally, Liam Woods, Barry McCluskey and Mark Wallace. The team went on to represent Louth in the national Feile where they were hosted by Fermoy, Cork. Although unsuccessful against Fermoy, Castlelyons and Mullahoran of Cavan, they nevertheless proved worthy representatives of both their club and county. The club would like to pay a special word of thanks to team mentors Derek Kettle, Aidan Kerrigan and Ronan Byrne. A special word of thanks also to the numerous sponsors whose generosity helped defray some of the expense involved by supporting the Feile fund and the sponsored walk. Gormanston Coaching Kevin McNally, Conaill Byrne, David Kettle and Dara Herr were on the Louth U14 team that ñ alongside the other counties in Leinster - received a day's coaching with the top coaches and hurling managers in the province. This special coaching session took place on August 11th. The players received expert coaching in all the skills of the game and played a series of mixed intercounty games. Many thanks to Louth team managers Derek Kettle and Miceal O Broin for their expert help on the day. U14 Champions The under 14 hurlers brought off the double when they won the U14 championship as well as the county Feile title. In the championship final on Saturday October 13th they beat Termonfeckin by the narrowest of margins (3-7 to 4-3) in a very exciting and close encounter. Knockbridge were leading by 3-4 to 1-3 at half time but Termonfeckin came back strongly in the second half with two well-taken goals and as many points to draw level with a few minutes remaining. Up stepped full forward Mark Wallace to send over the winning point and clinch a narrow victory for Knockbridge. There were good performances from Conaill Byrne (Man of Match), Errol Rooney, David Kettle, Kevin McNally, Deirdre Dunne, Mark Wallace, Barry McCluskey, Liam Woods, Phillip McGovern, Damien Callan, Mark and Shane Devin, and Jamie McAvinney. McCreesh Shield Pearse Og won the U11 county championship by winning the McCreesh Shield, defeating new club Collon by 4-7 to 1-1 in Pairc an Chuinnigh on Saturday September 29th. The B Section was won by Naomh Moninne. Coiste Iomana and Cumann Iomana Cnoc Bride would like to pay a special thanks to Peggy and Kevin McCreesh and their family for their very generous sponsorship of this prestigious U11 Louth championship over the years. INTO/GAA Mini Sevens Winners Knockbridge School won the county INTO/GAA Hurling Sevens title when they beat Friary School by two points on Thursday May 10th in Knockbridge. Best players were David Kettle, Kevin McNally, Phillip McGovern, Mark Devine and Mark Hoey. Subsequently, two players were selected to play in the sevens competition in Croke Park. Mark Devin played at half time in the All-Ireland SHC semi-final between Galway and Kilkenny. On All-Ireland final day, September 10th, David Kettle scored two points on his debut before the senior All-Ireland final between Tipperary and Galway. Successful Summer Camp One of the biggest and most enjoyable Summer Camps in the county was the hurling camp in Knockbridge, which was attended by 130 boys and girls from U7 to U14 between August 20th and 24th. Many of these young players who started hurling at the camp have continued training and hope to be playing with the club over the coming years. Chief organiser Mickey Heeney did an excellent job with the running of the camp and distributing tee-shirts and prizes for the various age groups. Thanks are also due to the excellent work carried out by coaches Gerry Dunne, Aidan Kerrigan, Deirdre Dunne, Sean Byrne, Brian Dunne, Conor and Shane Kerrigan, Paddy Mone, and Ronan Byrne. A special word of thanks must also go to St Brides GFC for the use of their facilities. Tweet

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