Sixmilebridge 3-8           Scarriff/Ogonnelloe 2-2

Our ‘Bridge U14A shield team were in action against Scarriff/Ogonnelloe in the final of the U14A BNOG shield on Bank Holiday Monday in Broadford. Conditions were not ideal as some heavy rain had passed through earlier making for testing conditions for the players.

The opening exchanges were even enough with both teams contesting every ball with a determination you would expect in a final. The first score arrived in the 7th minute for the East Clare amalgamation when a long ball found its way in towards the Bridge goal and the backs were having trouble dealing with it. Failure to clear their line resulted in Mici Sheedy from Scarriff/Ogonnelloe being able to somehow scramble the ball over the Bridge goal line for the first score of the game. A minute later it took a good save from Cian Maxwell to deny the same player another green flag.

This seemed to instil a bit of urgency in the Bridge lads and for the next 8 minutes most of the action took place in front of the Scarriff/Ogonnelloe goal with several chances of scores but none taken. Against the run of play Scarriff/Ogonnelloe then went up the field and the ball found its way to Jack Ryan in front of the Sixmilebridge goal and he buried it to the back of the net.

At 17 minutes Dara Fitzgerald was introduced at mid field and he had an immediate effect by scoring our opening point in the 18th minute. Scarriff/Ogonnelloe cancelled this out with a pointed free from Sean Treacy two minutes later.

On 22 minutes and following more Bridge dominance, Coby McDonald made a catch from a high ball and ran at the goal where he gave Ethan Harrington in the Scarriff/Ogonnelloe goal no chance when he slotted home a superb opening goal for the Bridge. The rest of the half was all Sixmilebridge with Conor Murphy scoring another point on 28 minutes to leave a halftime score 2-01 to 1-02 in favour of Scarriff/Ogonnelloe. The Bridge had played very well with the only blot on the copybook being a few missed goal chances in particular.

The Bridge made one change at halftime with Michael Carey coming on for Tom Forde at wing forward.  In the 1st minute Conor Murphy pointed and set the tone for the second half and in the 10th minute Conor Gilligan drew the sides’ level with a well taken point. When Dylan Dunne rattled the Scarriff/Ogonnelloe net a minute later, it really settled the team. Two more points from Murphy and Fitzgerald followed by a second McDonald goal saw off the Scarriff/Ogonnelloe challenge. Michael Carey got his debut as a forward off to a good start with the final score of the game with a point well into injury time.

While the boys upfront were now taking their chances, the Bridge backs were disciplined and resolute for the whole second half as evidenced by them only conceding 1 point to a soft free.

For all these players it was their first experience of a Co Final in an organised Bord na nOg competition on a Full-sized pitch and it bodes well for the future that they expressed themselves and did themselves proud by carrying on a fine Club tradition of performing well in a Co final.

For Sixmilebridge Seamus O Connell was excellent and while he didn’t appear on the score sheet his long clearances were putting constant pressure on the Scarriff/Ogonnelloe goal. Oisin Breen, Dara Fitzgerald, Conor Murphy, David Hassett, Coby McDonald, Dylan Dunne, and Oran Carey worked really hard throughout.

For Scarriff/Ogonnelloe Sean Treacy, Mici Sheedy, Jack Ryan, and Sean Hartigan, and goalie Ethan Harrington stood out.

So Sixmilebridge prevailed on a scoreline of 3-08 to 2-02. They are worthy Under 14A Shield Champions.

Sixmilebridge:  Cian Maxwell, David Hassett, Ian Collins, Tan Greene, Cian Johnson, Seamus O’Connell, Oran Carey (Capt.), Oisin Breen, Dylan Dunne (1-0), Gary O’Callaghan, Conor Murphy (0-4), Tom Forde, Alex Muldoon, Coby McDonald (2-0), Conor Gilligan (0-1), Jack Hughes, Patrick Ahern, Finn McNamara, Sam Naiimi, Darragh Custy, Dara Fitzgerald (0-2), Michael Carey (0-1).

Scarriff/Ogonnelloe:  Ethan Harrington, Mikey Doyle, Sean Treacy, Finn Harrold, Liam Crotty, Brendan Tuohy, Aaron Collins, Donnacha McNulty, Sean Hartigan, John Walsh, Jack Ryan, Eoin Magill, Rossa Keehan, Rory Ryan, Mici Sheedy, Matthew Cunnane, Liam Madden, Michael Dinan, Tadgh Minogue, Brian O’Shaughnessy.

PS After the game, a delighted Captain Oran Carey accepted the Shield from Bord Na nOg PRO and SMB Clubman Tom Sheehan.

Oran thanked the U14 Management team, his colleagues and their Parents and the Club for their support. He also made special mention of Scarriff/Ogonnelloe as excellent opponents and to the Broadford Club for the use of their excellent Facility which, as usual, was in great nick despite the heavy rain on Monday afternoon, to allow both teams play to their potential.

 The Squad then enjoyed the traditional tour of the village with their silverware on their return and then enjoyed a very tasty meal in the Cosy Cottage courtesy of the Minor Club. All the lads were in high spirits as they got to spend some time in each other’s company and enjoy the satisfaction of an  U14 Shield campaign and Final that was well played and well won!!.

‘Bridge Abu...

Link to photos: U14 A Bord na nÓg Shield Final