On Saturday, 8th June, in O’Callaghans Mills, Sixmilebridge took on the newly amalgamated Broadford Bodyke in the semi-final of the U13 Championship. Having been beaten narrowly in the group stages, Sixmilebridge knew they would have another battle on their hands.
The first few minutes saw Broadford-Bodyke on the attack, but the Sixmilebridge were well able for the pressure, forcing Broadford-Bodyke into hitting two wides before they managed to convert a free, the first score of the game in the 4th minute. They quickly followed this with a goal.
In the seventh minute, Alice Lyons broke through with a goal for Sixmilebridge, followed quickly by a point from free, taken by Rachel Chaplin, with the Bridge dominating play with another goal from Alice Lyons and a point each from Lucy Conroy and Rachel Chaplin. In the 20th minute Broadford-Bodyke scored another goal, bringing them back into the game. This was answered by Alice Lyons who rattled the net for the third time. With Sixmilebridge on the attack again, Braodford-Bodyke conceded a free and this was popped over by Rachel Chaplin. A point from play in injury time left a four point gap in favour of Sixmilebridge at half time.
The second half began with Broadford Bodyke again hungry for the win. They scored 2-2 before Lucy Conroy scored two goals in quick succession in the fourteenth minute. The Sixmilebridge got the lift they needed, but unfortunately it wasn't enough, and the defense was under immense pressure, with Broadford Bodyke scoring another 1-2. Anna Gilligan scored a superb point from play in the 22nd minute, leaving a two point gap going into the dying minutes of the game. With a place in the final at stake, Sixmilebridge were awarded a free and Rachel Chaplin took the only option that would win us that place. She bravely took a shot on goal but it bounced off a Broadford hurley and they went on the attack, finishing the game off with a point form a ‘45.
The Sixmilebridge girls gave everything they had, but unfortunately this was not to be their day. They now go on to contest the U13A Shield against Inagh Kilnamona.
