Sixmilebridge

Founded 1904

Co. Clare

Community Games Hurling Report

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After 5 years of being pipped at semi-final or Final stage and always by the minimum to the eventual winners - it fell to the class of 2016 to smash whatever “hoodoo” had fallen over the best efforts of Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry’s representatives in Community Games Hurling in recent years.

This year the Minor Club decided to enter two teams in the competition owing to the volume of interested quality Hurlers in the U10 Age bracket. It turned out we were the only area to do so and it meant our Team 1 were drawn versus the winners of Derg v Killaloe, while our Team 2 got a tough draw against Champions for the last two years, Doora/Barefield. The Team 2 boys acquitted themselves superbly against their much-vaunted opponent with the ball constantly up and down the pitch in this with the only difference being maybe the D/B boys extra maturity and ability to take their scores more easily. This was a great introduction for the Team 2 boys to Community Games Hurling and the excitement it can bring and it’ll stand to them in good stead for next year when all bar one player are underage again.

Meanwhile Team 1 were getting ready to play Derg(a combo of Ogonelloe, Scarriff and Bodyke) who overcame Killaloe. Our lads were straight into it once ball was thrown in and this match in particular showed our lads giving several examples of clean catches out of the air from puckouts and good passages of play involving clever stick passing. The tone for the day was set by ever-alert, rock solid goalie and Captain for the day Eamonn Breen, as well as his defensive quartet of Seanan Quinn-Kenny, Mark Sheedy, Michael Morey and Callum Toomey.

The Midfield engine room of Matthew O’Halloran and Niall Liddane kept the ball moving and no time for any opposition player to get comfortable on the ball. Upfront our ability to get scores one-v-one and on the move was outstanding through Darragh Whyte, Daniel Chaplin, Finn Murphy and Fionn Hayes in particular. We also had telling contributions off the bench through Will Chaplin, Jack Lee, Robert Stafford and Don Whitty.

We ended up comfortably accounting for Derg and also Clooney/Quin in the semi-final which meant a Final date once again versus our perennial rivals Doora/Barefield.

On winning the toss we elected to play against the elements and the lads dug in to really show their colours. However across the first half our physical strength and superior Hurling at close quarters really helped to negate whatever advantage the elements might have given D/B, and we went in at Half Time 3-2 to 2-3 ahead.

The lads really went out in the second half in a positive frame of mind, with Fionn Hayes back at the point of the attack in the Full Forward line and we pushed up Michael Morey to put a very good D/B player at half back on the back foot. And onto the back foot D/b were pushed, as the goals and points rained in to result in a very comfortable victory on the day.

Afterwards the lads were led up by the shy and retiring(!!) Eamonn Breen to receive their Gold medal from D/B man and ex-Allstar and All-Ireland winner Jamesie O’Connor. Indeed Eamonn has obviously been paying close attention to the ‘Bridge Senior and U21 Hurlers in recent years as he led many choruses of “When the Bridge go marching in” as well as the customary Team “pile-up” to give some novel photos for the supporters present.

We need to mention and acknowledge the superb work Mary and Pat Loughnane of O’Callaghans Mills have put in to revamp the Community Games Hurling both last year and this year and bringing in current Senior referees like Rory McGann and Jarlath Donnellan. They also had a sizeable number of courteous and subtle stewards who ensured the supporters and Coaches behaved appropriately to ensure an enjoyable Hurling experience for the 9/10/10½ year olds from the 10 participating clubs.

Thanks also to Mags O’Halloran and Kieran Keating from the local Committee who are always doing their best for the kids of SMB/Kilmurry across all activities.

 

Team 1 : Eamonn Breen(Captain), Seanan Quinn-Kenny, Mark Sheedy, Michael Morey, Callum Toomey, Matthew O’Halloran, Niall Liddane, Daniel Chaplin, Darragh Whyte, Finn Murphy, Fionn Hayes, Will Chaplin, Jack Lee, Robert Stafford and Don Whitty

Team 2 : Jack O’Halloran, Calum Phelan, Cillian Murphy, Mark Mullins, Eoghan Lynch, Ben O’Connell, Daighre Clarke, Dylan Keogh, Reece Kirkland, Oisin O’Grady, Niall Moloney, Aidan Moloney

Thanks to Coaches: Mike O’Halloran, Alan Murphy, Gerry Liddane, Donal Mullins, John Chaplin and Brian O’Connell
 
 

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