Sixty minutes away from claiming the Paddy Browne Cup in 2023, Sixmilebridge started their 2024 bid for honours with an impressive four point victory over Tubber.
Their win was deserved as for all but the second quarter, they were the dominant side in this contest.

By the end of the first quarter, Sixmilebridge managed by Pat Keane had an 0-8 0-4 advantage, Luke O’Halloran providing the majority of their scores with other efforts from Alan Mulready, Darragh Casey, Seán Lynch and Luke Keogh.
Keeping the Tubber account at this juncture were the Dunford brothers and Domhnall McMahon but it was a slow start from the North Clare side.

They grew into life in the second quarter where they hit 1-8. The only goal of the game was finished to the net by Osgar Dunford, he also added another point in this spell with four from Lorcan O’Grady, two from Senan Dunford and one from Ronan Monahan. This resurgence helped Pat Taaffe’s men to a 1-12 0-13 lead as the half time whistle sounded in Corofin.

Tubber’s inroads came undone at the start of the second half with Sixmilebridge shooting the first four scores to allow them go back in front. The Bridge would stay in front for the remainder of the game and crucially limited Tubber to just three points for the entire second half in a very dominant defensive display but one that was filled with very accurate forward play.

With plenty of youth in their ranks, Sixmilebridge can also call on the experience of Aidan Quilligan, Alan Mulready, Cillian Custy, Christy Griffin and Seán Lynch. They blooded two of last year’s All-Ireland winning minor side, Mark Sheedy and Matthew O’Halloran for their intermediate championship debuts.

While it is only round one, Sixmilebridge are on course to top Group 2, all is not lost for Tubber but they need to respond in their remaining group ties against Ogonnelloe and Newmarket-on-Fergus, having spent close to forty years in the top tier prior to their relegation in 2015, Tubber are now approaching a decade back in the intermediate ranks.

Scorers Sixmilebridge: Luke O’ Halloran, Sean Lynch (0-7 each), Alan Mulready (0-3), Dylan Downes, Luke Keogh (0-2 each), Dara Casey (0-1)

Scorers Tubber: Senan Dunford (0-5), Osgar Dunford (1-2), Lorcan O’ Grady (0-5), Pat O’ Connor, Ronan Monahan, Domhnall McMahon (0-1 each).

Sixmilebridge: Mark Sheedy, Adam Breen, Aidan Quilligan, Cillian Custy, Seamus O’Connell, Christy Carey, Matthew O’Halloran, Dara Fitzgerald, Dylan Downes, Luke O’Halloran, Luke Keogh, Christy Griffin, Alan Mulready, Sean Lynch, Dara Casey.

Subs: Adam Murray for Griffin, Fionn Hayes for Custy.

Tubber: Ronan Taaffe, Joe Droney, Fergal O’ Grady, Emmet Quinn; Domhnall McMahon, Ronan Monahan, James Howard; Cahal Droney, Pappy Taaffe; Lorcan O’ Grady, Mark Earley, Osgar Dunford; Senan Dunford, Patrick O’ Connor, Blaine Earley.

Subs: Joe Clancy for M Earley, Clive Earley for B Earley.

Referee: Pat Healy (Kilmaley)