Sixmilebridge On Top In Local Derby
(Report Courtesy of Newmarket GAA)
Sixmilebridge 1-15
Newmarket-on-Fergus 0-12
Venue: O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge.
Sixmilebridge maintained their one hundred percent record in Division 1A of the Clare Champion Cup after shaking off the challenge of Newmarket-on-Fergus in a tightly fought contested.
Six points separated the sides at the sound of Ger Hoey’s final whistle but such a gap can be misleading as the Blues showed good fight over the hour but when they were on top the Bridge were more clinical than their opponents.
James Liddy was first off the mark with a strike off his right hand side splitting the posts on the third minute. Alex Morey responded for the Bridge and they took the lead with twelve minutes played courtesy of a Niall Gilligan point. Gavin Whyte was on the end of the scramble at the Newmarket goalmouth on the fourteenth minute as he got the all important flick to raise the only green flag of the game. Newmarket replied with a Eoin Hayes effort a minute after but three scores without reply from Niall Gilligan and Caimin Morey saw Sixmilebridge extend their lead to six points. Two points in two minutes from Eoin Hayes and James Liddy brought the distance to four points with twenty two minutes on the clock. Defenders Aidan Quilligan and Alan Barrett swapped scores before Conor Deasy picked up his first score for the Bridge on twenty six minutes. Colin Ryan hit two placed balls in succession to ensure the scoreboard read 1-07 to 0-07 in favour of the hosts at the interval.
Two Niall Gilligan frees on the first and seventh minute put John O’Meara’s side back in control. Colin Ryan opened Newmarket’s second half account with a free eight minutes into the new half. Brian Corry on the double and one single from Gavin Whyte extended the Bridge’s cushion to seven points. Three Colin Ryan placed balls without reply cut the gap to four with fifty two minutes on the clock. Ryan would add one further free but white flags via Brian Corry, Niall Gilligan and Seadna Morey wrapped up the win for the hosts.
Four games four wins is how the Sixmilebridge record looks to date in 2015. They are certainly laying down a claim for championship contenders and their ability to claim possession in defence at difficult times has been essential to their play so far. John O’Meara will be happy with the performance of his troops on the day and they now sit on top of Division 1A alongside Crusheen. Seadna Morey, Noel Purcell, Brian Corry and Conor Deasy showed well for the Bridge.
It has been a mixed campaign so far for the Blues. Up front, only three forwards got on the scoreboard which is not going to win games, while at times their defence were a bit loose. Nonetheless they showed good fight but need to win a greater amount of breaks. Newmarket are slowly getting there but they may need to hurry on as other teams are beginning to hit form. Sean O’Connor, Shane Kelleher and Noel Frawley deserve praise for the Blues.
Prior to the game a minutes silence took place in honour of PJ Devitt, late of Urlanmore.
Teams:
Sixmilebridge: Derek Fahy, Barry Fitzpatrick, Tadhg Keogh, Paidi Fitzpatrick, Aidan Quilligan (0-01), Caimin Morey (0-01 1’65), Noel Purcell, Alex Morey (0-01), Seadna Morey (0-01), Cathal Malone, Niall Gilligan (0-05 3f), Conor Deasy (0-01), Gavin Whyte (1-02), Brian Corry (0-03), Sean Lynch. Subs: Pa Sheehan for Lynch (46).
Newmarket-on-Fergus: Darren Duggan, Paudie McMahon, Sean O’Connor, Evan Keogh, Shane O’Brien, Shane Kelleher, Alan Barrett (0-01), Colm McCaul, Eoin O’Brien, Noel Frawley, Liam Clancy, Niall O’Connor, James Liddy (0-02), Colin Ryan (0-07 7f), Eoin Hayes (0-02). Subs: Frank Melody for Clancy (38), Colin Guilfoyle for Barrett (42) (Inj), Neil Ryan for Liddy (55).
Referee: Ger Hoey (Killanena).
