Sourece: Clare Echo (By Michael Fitzgerald)

Sixmilebridge got the better of Clarecastle to maintain a perfect start to their 2025 Clare Cup campaign.

The Bridge dominated a wet and windy first half and led by seven points at the break before Clarecastle managed to gather some momentum in the game’s final quarters.

Sixmilebridge had looked sharper in the warm up and carried this momentum through the game’s first ten minutes as they quickly racked up five points. The Magpies were slow to start in their home ground and found themselves under the cosh from the outset. Shane Golden had a goal opportunity snuffed out by the defence in the eighth minute. Clarecastle keeper Cian Broderick pulled off a great save in the fourteenth minute and kept a clean sheet for the match.

Brian Corry and David Kennedy were on fire for the visitors in the first half who led 0-12 to 0-05 at half time. Bridge centre back Páidi Fitzpatrick pulled off a great block on Conor Halpin midway through the half while Dara Casey did a good job minding the house with an excellent save in the twentieth minute.

Clarecastle came out with their tails up in the second half however and started to find their footing. Rory O’Connell gave a great display from wing forward as he scored four points in the second half. Sub Oisin Casey scored the game’s only goal in the forty-ninth minute, converting a penalty after he came on at half time. David Tuohy was handed a yellow card late on in the second half for a strong tackle.

The 2024 county finalists regained their composure however during the game’s final quarter with David Kennedy scoring a further three points to bring his total to eight for the afternoon. Sixmilebridge’s full forward line were impressive throughout as they contributed twelve of their side’s eventual nineteen point tally.

Sixmilebridge: Dara Casey, Seamus O’Connell, Adam Breen, Colm Flynn, Conor Deasy, Padraig Fitzpatrick, Patrick Mulready, Sean Macnamara (0-02), Brian Corry(0-02), Luke O’Halloran (0-01), Dylan Downes (0-01), Shane Golden (0-02), Paul Corry (0-01), Adam Murray (0-01), David Kennedy (0-10 4f).

Clarecastle: Cian Broderick, Ronan Donnelly, Filip Wiechcinski, David Tuohy, Aaron Hayes (0-01f), Evan Price (0-01), Darragh Healy, Stephen O’Halloran, Colin Brigdale (0-02), Conor Halpin, Oisin Whelan (0-01), Rory O’Connell (0-04), Lee Brack (0-01), Paul O’Connell (0-01), Conor Ralph

Subs: Oisin Casey (HT) (1-1), Conor Griffin

Referee: Jarlath Donnellan (Wolfe Tones)