Sixmilebridge 1-5 Feakle /Killanena 1-15

Last Tuesday evening Sixmilebridge under 16’s hosted Feakle /Killanena in this U16A Round 3 Match. Conditions were perfect with little or no wind to contend with. The ‘Bridge started well with forwards David Kennedy and Luke Keogh working the ball nicely to set up Scott Kirkland for the opening point of the game on 4 minutes. Feakle /Killanena soon settled and registered their first score 11 minutes in with a free from corner forward Keith Smyth. It was Smyth again a minute later who popped over a lovely point from play followed by Jack O’Donnell with another to stretch Feakle /Killanena’s lead to two. David Kennedy got one back for the ‘Bridge after a run from Evan Murphy set him up with a sublime pass and he used his speed to break free and tap over the bar. At this stage Feakle/Killanena were beginning to get on top with Keith Smyth causing all sorts of problems for the ‘Bridge backline. He scored two more points from frees in the 18th minute and followed this up with two more from play on 25 minutes. The ‘Bridge introduced Dylan Downes just before half time to strengthen midfield with Darragh Toomey moving into the corner back to try and limit the effect Keith Smyth was having and Evan Murphy moving to wing back. Unfortunately Adam O’Sullivan who was acquitting himself well in the other corner back position had to give way for this. Half time score Feakle /Killanena 0-9 Sixmilebridge 0-3.
The ‘Bridge made further changes at the interval with Seamus O’Connell coming on for Scott Kirkland in corner forward and Luke O’Halloran moving to half forward with Sean McNamara taking up the full forward position. The ‘Bridge started the second half a bit brighter, threatening the Feakle /Killanena goal on a couple of occasions with each attack being snuffed out by a resilient full back line. They received another body blow 4 minutes in when Jack O’Donnell hit a powerful shot at the ‘Bridge goal which was stopped by Cian Fawl. However O’Donnell was quickest to react to the rebound and buried it into the back of the net for the game’s first goal pushing Feakle /Killanena 9 points clear. They added two more points in the next 3 minutes to leave the ‘Bridge in serious trouble. 10 minutes in Dylan Downes won a ball in midfield and made a blistering run towards the Feakle /Killanena goal. His pace took him to 20 metres out and he let loose a cracking shot low and hard across the Feakle /Killanena goal into to the back of the net. It gave the ‘Bridge some glimmer of hope but it would be the only score they would get from play in the half. Evan Murphy followed up with a point from a free a minute later. They battled on but the ‘Bridge forwards tended to go it alone when better options were available all around them. The Feakle /Killanena full back line were well able to deal with this and their clearances were putting the ‘Bridge backs under all sorts of pressure. Frustration gave way to indiscipline, and Keith Smyth who was now largely contained from play by Darragh Toomey gave an exhibition in free taking slotting over three more frees and a 65 for Feakle /Killanena to run out worthy winners on a scoreline 1-15 to 1-5.
For Feakle /Killanena, Adam Hogan was very strong at full back, Oisin Clune was very impressive and Keith Smyth was exceptional in corner forward and his free taking first class.
For Sixmilebridge Dylan Downes was excellent when he came on and showed leadership when it was badly needed. Darragh Toomey, who had to sacrifice his own game to deal with the threat Smyth was posing was excellent throughout. It was a game where most of the things the ‘Bridge lads tried didn’t work. Some games go like that. Take the learnings from it and just move on.

Sixmilebridge: Cian Fawl, Adam O’Sullivan, Colin Kelly, Conor Morey, Leon Kelly, Storm Devaney, Daragh Toomey, Evan Murphy 0-2F, Cian Gleeson, David Kennedy 0-1, Sean McNamara , Scott Kirkland 0-1, Colm Flynn, Luke O’Halloran 0-1, Luke Keogh, Dylan Downes 1-0 Evan O’Callaghan, Seamus O’Connell.

Feakle /Killanena: Liam O’Connor, Jamie Canny, Adam Hogan, Rory McNamara, Eoghan Daly, Enda Madden, Darren McMahon, Oisn Clune, Ian McNamara, Sean Walsh, Gearoid Keane 0-1, Oisin O’Connor, Matthew Purcell, Jack O’Donnell 1-1, Keith Smyth 0-13, 0-8F, 0-2(65), Conor McGann, James Greene, Seamus O’Donnell, Ryan Keane.

Referee: Kevin Walsh.