A superb display of hurling this afternoon saw our U13 shield team comprehensively overcome the Magpies on a scoreline of 2-07 to 0-02 in the U13 BNOS A Shield Final. Following the toss of a coin earlier in the week Clarecastle saw home advantage for this fixture; and the pitch was in great condition given the rain that had fallen during the week.
An early green flag in the 2nd minute from Sean O Sulivan settled the Bridge into the lead; which they held onto for the duration of the game. For the next few minutes both teams were held scoreless until the 15th minute following a superb solo run from Danny Dunne saw his shot end up in the back of the Magpies net. On the 25th minute of the game the Magpies got their opening score through a pointed free from Ben McNamara. The Bridge responded quickly at the other end with a point from Danny Dunne in the 27th minute. As the game entered into injury time of the first half Clarecastle added another point from a Ben McNamara free in the 31st minute; which was cancelled out by two pointed frees from Dara Fitzgerald in the 33rd and 34th minutes. This left the scoreline at the half time whistle 2-03 to 0-02 in favour of the Bridge.
The second half was a battle in which both set of defences dominated and this was reflected in that the opening score of the half did not come until the 17th minute through a point from Noah Sheehan. Following this Clarecastle suffered a set back when Gavin Hehir went off with an ankle injury. Also following a switch in position from defence to attack Patrick Ahern added points in the 20th minute and 27th minute for the Bridge. The final score of the game fell to Danny Dunne in the 29th minute.
For Clarecastle the defeat could have been greater except for the fine display of goalkeeping from Mark Griffin who made numerous vital saves from the Bridge attackers. The Bridge's performance was truly a team effort from start to finish and you could pick out numerous players for their heroic performances.
Tomorrow sees the turn of the U13 A team who take on Ballyea at 1.30pm in their shield final in Sixmilebridge; following the U13 A cup final between Doora Barefield and Inagh Kilnamona at 12.00pm where the victorious team will be presented with the Christy Sheehan (Sixmilebridge GAA) Memorial Cup.
Sixmilebridge: Mark Sheedy, Darren Hurley, Jack Holloway, Joshua Dillon, Patrick Ahern (0-02), Dara Fitzgerald (0-02 f), Noah Sheehan (0-01), Lee Mulready, Daniel Chaplin, Sean O Sullivan (1-00), Danny Dunne (1-02), Brendan Carey, Alex Muldoon, Gavin McMahon, Jack Lee, Finn McNamara, Evan Neenan, Eoghan Lynch, Mikey Egan, Luke O Connor, Jayden Scullion, Fiachra O Braoin, Cillian Crowley, JJ O Reilly, Paddy O Reilly, Aaron Mulqueen

Click for a few photos of the presentation