Knockbeg College footballers strike late to capture South Leinster League crown

Knockbeg College were crowned South Leinster Senior 'A' League champions after a last-gasp Conall Bergin effort secured the victory over Patrician Secondary School Newbridge in Laois Hire O'Moore Park on Wednesday.

The victors remarkably overturned an early eight-point deficit after Newbridge had scored 1-5 with seven minutes on the clock. Bergin and Mikey Murphy were immense in the second-half as the game looked destined for extra-time.

Knockbeg College 3-13 

Patrician Newbridge 2-15

South Leinster School’s Senior ‘A’ Football League

Newbridge showed the early intent as Conor Sheerin rose the game's first white flag. Midfielder Jack Mahon pointed superbly as he celebrated his score with a first pump. Ryan Kearney got Newbridge's third score in as many minutes and only for Timahoe's Oisin Ramsbottom, they would have scored a goal to cap off a dream start.

Sheerin got his second point from half-back as they played a 45' short with the latter slotting the ball over the bar. Harry Redmond was next to add his name to the list of scorers as his soccer-like finish beat the outstretched arms of Ramsbottom to get the game's first goal.

Ian McLoughlin got another point for his Newbridge side as they led 1-5 to no score after seven minutes. Knockneg finally kicked into gear as Bergin got his first score of the game in the 11th minute. Jack Byrne opened his account while Bergin got his second of the contest with a free.

Ben Loakman added to Newbridge's tally before Knockbeg got their first goal. Midfielder John Phiri setting up Patrick Julian from Ballylinan to bury the ball beyond Ronan Collins in the Newbridge net,

Newbridge responded well to the Knockbeg goal as they added two further points courtesy of Jack Mahon and Eoin Curtin. This put five between the sides after 20 minutes. Knockbeg rallied the troops as they pointed four times without reply. Bergin getting all four points with three of them being frees. Newbridge leading by a single-point at the break having been eight-points up.

Stradbally's Cillian Maher levelled the sides after the resumption of play, however Newbridge pushed on again and raised five white flags on the bounce. Loakman got two scores in succession while Mahon also scored two points, one from a free. Curtin got his second of the contest as Newbridge led by five-points yet again.

Knockbeg to their credit never gave up and took the game by the scruff of the neck as it looked like the game had gone away from them. Phiri reduced Newbridge's lead by one before the Kildare side almost got their second goal, the legs of Ramsbottom coming to Knockbeg's rescue as Mahon's effort went over for a point.

St Joseph's man Mikey Murphy was moved into the square to utilize his height and presence. This move proved effective as he caught a mark and kicked it over the bar. Ben Slattery pointed a free off his left to reduce Newbridge's lead to three.

Maher, having scored a point already, turned provider as he teed up Josh Brady to blast the ball into the Newbridge net and level the game with six minutes to play. McLoughlin's second point was matched by a mark from Murphy as the game looked destined for extra-time.

Murphy was proving effective playing as full-forward and this was the case as Aodhán Lowry fired a high ball into the square. The St Joseph's man shrugged off his marker before he unleashed a powerful strike past Collins. Knockneg now leading by three-points as time ticked towards the 60 minute mark.

It was now Newbridge's turn to launch balls into the square and in what looked like the final minute, Kearney played the ball to Loakman, who fisted it beyond Ramsbottom and level the sides. There was still time for one last attack as Knockbeg broke in numbers with Bergin pointing his seventh point to win the game for Knockbeg.

The game was a fascinating spectacle to watch and Newbridge will feel aggrieved not to leave Portlaoise with a South Leinster 'A' League medal. Knockbeg will contest another final this week as their Junior footballers face another Kildare side in the form of Ardscoil Athy in the South Leinster A Final on Friday in Netwatch Cullen Park from 1pm.