Sixmilebridge 5-16 Clooney/Quin 1-7

Clooney/Quin hosted Sixmilebridge for this much anticipated Under15A Quarter Final last Friday evening, with a bitterly cold wind blowing across the pitch just slightly favouring C/Q in the first half. With a puck of a ball separating these sides in the last two years in all encounters what transpired was a surprise to everyone in attendance. The ‘Bridge were quick off the mark and within 30 seconds David Kennedy registered the first point after receiving a good pass from Noel Flynn. Darragh Keogh had the sides level 2 minutes later with a pointed free for C/Q and from there to the finish Sixmilebridge dominated completely in all areas of the field. Noel Flynn put the ‘Bridge back in front on 4 minutes with a well taken point with Cian Gleeson providing the pass. A minute later the first of the ‘Bridge goals arrived when David Kennedy took full advantage as the ball slipped out of the goal keepers hand and was slotted in to the back of the net despite the attentions of the C/Q cornerback and goalie. The ball was no sooner pucked out when it was back in around the C/Q square with this time Kennedy falling on top of Oisin McMahon in the C/Q goal in an effort to get the ball, allowing Cian Gleeson to somehow scramble the ball across the goal line. It wasn’t pretty but it raised the green flag for goal number two. Darragh Keogh pulled a point back for C/Q 10 minutes in with another free but the ‘Bridge responded with two of their own thanks to Luke O Halloran and a monster 70 metre effort from the ever threatening Cian Gleeson. A minute later David Kennedy had his second and his side’s third goal when he pounced on a clearance from Oisin McMahon in the C/Q goal tapping it into the right bottom corner. On 17 minutes the score of the game occurred when Cian Gleeson received a cross field pass from Luke O Halloran blocking it on his hurley and striking first time from 45 metres out straight into the back of the C/Q net. His first goal might have been ugly but this was a gem. It was about to get a whole lot worse for C/Q whose goal was now under siege from a rampant ‘Bridge team. Oisin McMahon made yet another save a minute later only for Adam Murray to get a deft little overhead flick straight into the back of the C/Q net to realistically finish this game as a contest. For the rest of the half the ‘Bridge out scored C/Q four points to two to leave the half time score 5-8 to 0-4 with a slight wind advantage to the ‘Bridge to follow.

C/Q were first to score in the second half with Darragh Keogh pointing from a placed ball but any chance of a comeback was short lived with Colin Kelly and Luke O Halloran getting one each for the ‘Bridge. C/Q were thrown a lifeline 15 minutes in when Darragh Keogh went for goal with a free on the 21 metre line and while saved by the ‘Bridge backs it had enough momentum to get over the line for a much needed goal. They tacked on the next two points as well before the ‘Bridge backs got back in control and they wouldn’t score again. Conor Murphy got a nice point on 20 minutes and hit a cracking shot at goal 3 minutes later only to be met with a lighting quick reaction from C/Q goalie Oisin McMahon pulling off a brilliant save. Scott Kirkland finished the scoring with a point with five minutes left and the ‘Bridge ran out comfortable winners on a very one-sided score line.

Were the ‘Bridge that good or were C/Q that poor. This is a very balanced ‘Bridge team with strong players in all positions. What makes them even stronger is they are very good team players even at this young age and when they approach a game like they did last Friday night they are very difficult to break down. As for Clooney/Quin. There are too many good hurlers in their side to have such a difference in scores. They had a night when nothing went right for them. This was a temporary setback.

For Clooney/Quin, Darragh Keogh was excellent never giving up the fight. Dylan Cunningham and Callum Hassett were also very impressive.

For Sixmilebridge, it seems the forwards and midfield players get most of the attention in these matches but it must be highlighted the strength of this Sixmilebridge defence is probably their biggest strength. They are tenacious in their approach to the game always hassling and making life difficult for opposing forwards, and last Friday night was no different. The ‘Bridge scored 5-16 last Friday night. They conceded 3 points from play in the whole match. Very impressive. They now go on to play Ballyea in O’Garney Park in the Semi Final, time and date to be decided.

Sixmilebridge: Cian Fawl, Colm Flynn, Seamus O Connell, Michael Carey, Morgan O Connell, Evan Murphy, Colin Kelly 0-1, Oisin Breen, Scott Kirkland 0-1, Noel Flynn 0-1, Cian Gleeson 2-2, Evan O Callaghan 0-1, David Kennedy 2-2, Luke O Halloran 0-6, (0-5F), Adam Murray 1-0, Jack Hughes, Conor Murphy 0-1, Darragh Fitzgerald, Tan Greene, Gary O Callaghan.

Clooney/Quin: Oisin McMahon, Matthew McNamara, Eoin Guilfoyle, Enda O Halloran, Callum Beirne, Evan Maxted, John Conneally, Stephen McSherry, Dylan Cunningham 0-1, Darragh Keogh 1-4, (1-4F), Pádraic Cleary, Liam Keating, Daniel Palache, Callum Hassett 0-2.

Referee: Niall Malone.