O’Garney Park Sunday 22/7/2018
Result: SMB 6-15 Eire Og 1-5

Sunday morning provided ideal conditions for the opening game of the U16 A Shield competition. The 2 sides were getting the measure of the each other in the opening minutes with neither team having scored in the first 8 minutes. That soon changed however when Eoin Morby struck for goal after a brilliant team move. The move began with Goalkeeper Conor Maxwell placing a ball in front of Jack Hughes who offloaded it to Noel Flynn, who was bursting through the centre. Flynn saw his shot well saved but Morby pounced on the rebound and on his 3rd attempt buried the ball in the back of the net. The ‘Bridge followed up on the goal with points from play by Noel Flynn, Conor Murphy and Ferdia O’Lionáin. A feature of these scores from play was the good combination play between the players as well as displaying good skills in clean catches out of the air and also striking off “weaker” side. Dara Casey also tacked on a free to leave the score 1-4 to no score in the hosts’ favour after 12 minutes.
In the 18th minute a long range free was taken by the ‘Bridge’s Centre Forward Evan O’ Callaghan. As it dropped in and around the square Conor Murphy timed his aerial pull perfectly and smacked the ball past the Eire Og ‘keeper. This was followed by six points for the ‘Bridge and one from Eire Og with the highlight being a flowing move that involved four players and ended up with Morby setting up Casey for a well- taken point. Again a feature of these scores was lads driving forward in a positive fashion at the Eire Og defence and good off the shoulder runs which were availed of by the man in possession. When referee Flan O’ Reilly blew his whistle for half-time the scoreboard reflected the ‘Bridge’s dominance, reading; Sixmilebridge 2-10 Eire Og 0-1.
Conor Murphy began the 2nd half with a fine point from play. The game was put out of reach by a goal each from the ‘Bridge’s Corner Forward duo, Eoin Morby and Eoin Carroll. Conor Murphy also netted one with a long free that lobbed the Eire Og goalie. Eire Og responded well however with 2 points from play. These were cancelled out by an O’Callaghan free and a superb point from Oisín Breen. O’Callaghan also struck for goal 5 minutes later with a rasper off his Left hand after picking his spot from outside the 21 which nestled itself in the corner of the net. Eire Og followed with their best play of the match scoring 1-3 without reply. The ‘Bridge had the last laugh however, with another brilliant point from Breen after catching a puck out and sprinted up the field to dispatch the score, and a nice effort from Noel Flynn after a great drive up the field and off load from centre back Scott Kirkland.
An excellent and energetic start to this competition then, and reflects a depth of good players in the Club at 14, 15 and 16 years of age. All the team played well and in addition to the above scorers who were all prominent it’s also worth noting the excellent work and passing of Jack Hughes at wing forward to set up many of these scores and also the drive and ball-attacking of the pacy Michael Carey at corner back especially in the 2nd half.
The Bord na Nog Shield is a great competition to keep young Hurlers involved with the game. We encourage any 15 or 16 year olds who may have a renewed interest in Hurling to talk to their friends involved and come along and fall in with the U16 Training and they will be guaranteed game time through this competition.