Sixmilebridge 1-10 Ruan 1-09

Sixmilebridge overcame a stern test from Ruan in the semi final of the 2016 Junior C championship, in a blustery Hamilton Park Kilkishen yesterday evening. It was a gripping contest that was in balance right down to the final whistle. Due to similarity in jerseys, Sixmilebridge lined out in the unusual attire of the Limerick Prison Services GAA gear.

The victors captain , Martin Conlon, elected to play against the elements in the first half. Ruan were fastest off the mark and raced into a 2 point lead, taking full advantage of the aid of the strong wind. Conor Cahill then eased the bridge mens nerves with a brace of excellent points of his own. Unfortunately Conor had to be taken off shortly after scoring his second point with a nasty looking knee injury, been replaced by the lively Eoin Loughnane who had jetted home early from a romantic get-away in the UK to be at the game. Eoin made a significant contribution of his own, scoring a long range point against the wind in that first half. With 25 minutes on the clock, and the teams tied at 0-4 apiece, Martin Conlon and James O'Neill dispossessed a Ruan defender on the end line, before James gathered possession and finish to the back of the net from an acute angle. Both teams added another point each, to leave the half time score 1-5 to 0-5 in favor of the bridge.

Ruan came out of the blocks fastest in the second half, narrowing the gap to two points. The remainder of the half was a tense affair with no quarter asked or given. Some excellent defending by Billy Maxwell and a few outstanding blocks and hooks from Brian O'Loughlin keeping the Ruan men at bay. The bridge forwards also put the Ruan defenders under immense pressure, meaning no easy clearances out of the Ruan defence. Podge Flannery put his body on the line on several occasions to suppress the efforts of the Ruan half back line. The highlight of this half was a fantastic solo effort from Michael O'Halloran, as well as a long range effort from Eric Lynch. Lynch was forced to retire with a hamstring injury with 10 minutes remaining on the clock. With time running out, Ruan won a penalty. The Ruan full forward placed the ball low and hard to Ryan McCarthys right , to leave the bare minimum between the teams with darkness descending and entering injury time. Both teams had chances to add to their tally, but stout defending ensured that the bridge men saw out the final few moments with a 1 point victory.

Jude Kearneys side are now back where they want to be, in the Junior C final, following last years final defeat to Wolfetones. Best for the bridge were Ryan McCarthy, Billy Maxwell, Alan McAuley, Michael O'Halloran and Martin Conlon.

The opposition in this years final will be The Banner. The Banner have had good victories over Clonbony and Killeanea en route to the final. This is The Banners first team and they will be strong favourites. Jude will be aware that there are area's to improve on, but if his side can bring the same intensity and hunger into the final then they are in with a chance. Injury concerns to Conor Cahill and Eric Lynch will be foremost on the managers mind. Noel Flannery has been confirmed as a serious doubt for the final after coming down with a bad dose of cramp in Gleesons bar last night.

Scorers : James O'Neill 1-0, Conor Cahill 0-2, Mark McInerney 0-2, Martin Conlon 0-2, Caimin Barrett, Mike O'Halloran, Eric Lynch, Eoin Loughnane 0-1 each. 

Team: 

Ryan McCarthy; Brian O'Loughlin, Jim Spaight, Billy Maxwell; Niall Hogan, Alan McCauley, Mark McInerney; Barry Corbett, Mike O'Halloran; Podge Flannery, Noel Flannery, Conor Cahill; Caimin Barrett, James O'Neill, Martin Conlon.

Subs

Ian Chaplin

Eamonn O Donoghue

Eoin Loughnane (Replaced Conor Cahill inj)

Eric Lynch (Replaced Caimin Barrett)

Ed Skeehan (Replaced Eric Lynch inj)

Brendan Murphy

Dean McKenna

Pa Punch

Shane Flynn

Cathal Kinnane

Oisin Fitzpatrick (Replaced Mark McInerney)

Donal Murphy