Sixmilebridge

Founded 1904

Co. Clare

Minors exit championship to Magpies

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Sixmilebridge 0-15 Clarecastle 1-15.

Sixmilebridge Minors lined out in Newmarket last Friday evening for this Minor A Quarter final against one of the championship favourites Clarecastle. With the ‘Bridge playing with a significant wind advantage in the first half it was important to get off to a good start. Conor Flynn opened the scoring for the ‘Bridge with a 3rd minute point only to have it cancelled out a minute later by James Doherty for Clarecastle. Dylan Downes put the ‘Bridge back in front in the 6th minute with a cracking long-range point as the ‘Bridge applied the pressure in the middle third. They received a major setback however 9 minutes in when a long wind assisted puckout from Shane Whyte fell into the hand of an unmarked Cian Galvin who sent it back in to the left corner of the ‘Bridge square. A quick flick across the goal was finished to the back of the net by a very lively James Doherty. It was the only goal of the game, but it would prove to be a very costly one for Sixmilebridge.

To their credit they responded well and a monster Evan Murphy free from 80 metres out on the side-line started a very good spell for the ‘Bridge as the game entered the second quarter.

They upped the intensity all over but the inside forwards applied excellent pressure in their tackling with Conor Flynn, Jack Corry, and Colin Kelly combining to score six points between them, four of them from play as they held the Magpies scoreless from play for the rest of the half with just a pointed free from Oisin Casey their only score. The ‘Bridge went in at the interval two points up on a score line of 0-9 to 1-4 and were full value for it.

The ‘Bridge started the second half as they finished the first and were five points clear after 5 minutes and it looked like they were in control. The magpies did pull two pointed frees back but these were cancelled out by two from Jack Corry who was coming more into the game in the second half. As the half wore on Clarecastle’s half back line started to get on top and with Luke Keogh and Dylan Downes switching wings it made little difference.

With the game entering the final quarter the ‘Bridge were still four points ahead, but the momentum was shifting in Clarecastle’s favour. Now putting the ‘Bridge backs under severe pressure the free count mounted which Oisin Casey gladly punished and 24 minutes in the sides were level. Cian Galvin put them in front two minutes later when he dropped unnoticed and unmarked to receive a cracking sideline cut right across the field.

The ‘Bridge were very unlucky with two minutes left in the game not to raise a green flag as they fought desperately to get back in front. It took a lightening quick reaction from Cian Broderick in the Clarecastle goal to stop a Seamus O Connell strike which was heading to the right corner of the net. Two more Casey frees and the last score for Clarecastle coming from man of the match Cian Galvin putting the Magpies four points clear with the game now in injury time. Dylan Downes did pull one back for the ‘Bridge but it was Clarecastle who went on to win by three points in a very entertaining game of hurling.

For Clarecastle Darragh Healy, Oisin Casey, and Brandon Healy were excellent throughout but centre back Cian Galvin was absolutely first class with his reading of the game probably his biggest strength.

For Sixmilebridge Conor Flynn and Colin Kelly put in a brilliant first half display at corner forward showing great fight in their tackling and contributing some lovely scores between them. At the other end the Breen brothers Adam and Oisin stood out in the full back line with the younger of the two, Oisin doing very well when introduced.

So that’s it for this year for the Sixmilebridge Minors who acquitted themselves well in the group stages before coming up against a very experienced Clarecastle side. This was a very young Sixmilebridge minor team with most of them eligible for this competition again next year so the experience gained this year will stand to them. Best of luck to the Magpies in the remainder of their championship run.

Sixmilebridge: Shane Whyte, Darragh Toomey, Adam Breen, Ferdia O Lionain, Alex Frost, Leon Kelly, Evan Murphy 0-1F, Storm Devanney, Dylan Downes 0-2, 0-1F, Sean MacNamara, Luke Keogh, Luke O Halloran 0-1, Conor Flynn 0-2, Jack Corry 0-6, 0-4F, Colin Kelly 0-3,

Subs: Oisin Breen, Seamus O Connell, Colm Flynn.

Clarecastle: Cian Broderick, Alec Cassley, Cillian Casey, Evan Dolan, Eoin Dinan, Cian Galvin 0-2, Conor Halpin 0-1, Samuel Browne, Darragh Healy, Oisin Casey 0-8F, Harry Ward, Fergus Garvey 0-1, Brandon Healy 0-1, Dylan Brown 0-1, James Doherty 1-1.

Referee: Rory McGann.

Sixmilebridge Management: John O Meara, Terence Chaplin,Tommy Liddy, Martin Conlon, Jamie Shannahan, Tom Sheehan. Stats: Danny Reddan, John Reddan, Diarmuid Carr.

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