Sixmilebridge 3-25 Clarecastle 1-11

When these 2 teams were drawn out of the hat to meet in round 1 of the championship few would have believed 20 points would be the difference after 60 minutes following a very dull affair in Cusack Park this evening.

All the talk this week was about Niall Gilligan entering his 23rd season for the Bridge Seniors but manager John O'Meara decided to hold the thoroughbred Gilligan back for later in the summer by starting him on the bench and introducing him with 15 minutes to go - He showed he still has it with one of the scores of the game and definetly the cheer of the game for a monster point from play 80 yards out.

Alex Morey took over the free taking duties today and while he had big boots to fill he did so with great calm slotting offer some great popints from tight angles.

The scores were point for point at the start before the BRidge opened a 6 points to 3 lead mid way through the first half before some weak defending saw Clarecastle pounce for a goal to level matters and one would have expected the magpies to gain confidence and push on. However it was a wake up call for the Bridge who added goals from Shane Golden and temporary sub Gavin White to put the Bridge 2-13 to 1-06 up at half time.

The second half saw the Bridge shake up the forwards with the introduction of White, Gilly, Alan Mul and Cathal Lynch all of which will be pushing for inclusion in the starting lineup next day out. White had the last say qith a goal to finish off the game and put the BRidge through to round 3.

Team: Derek Fahy; Noel Purcell (Vice Capt), Aidan Quilligan, Barry Fitzpatrick; Caimin Morey, Seadna Morey, Paidi Fitzpatrick (Capt); Brian Carey, Kevin Lynch; Jamie Shanahan, Conor Deasy, Cathal Malone; Alex Morey, Shane Golden, Brian Corry.

Subs:Gavin White for A Morey, Alan Mulready for Corry, Niall Gilligan for Carey, Cathal Lynch for Deasy. 

Results from Today:

Whitegate 4-09 Cratloe 0-20.

Inagh/Kilnamona 2-12 Crusheen  2-10

Clonlara 2-16 Feakle 0-16

Newmarket 1-16 Clooney/Quin 1-13

Sixmilebridge 3-25 Clarecastle 1-11