A big crowd gathered in O’Garney Park on Friday night to cheer on our Junior C Camogie League champions as they opened their championship campaign against Wolfe Tones. With five U16 players in the starting line-up, and proudly wearing new shorts kindly sponsored by Anne & Collette of Casey’s Bar, the Bridge girls faced into a tough challenge against a Shannon side keen to avenge their league semi-final defeat.

The opening half was tense, with scores hard-earned. Rosie Young opened the scoring from midfield, the first of her three points on the night. Centre-forward Sinéad Cahill (0-1) and full-forward Kate Monahan (0-3) also found the target, sending Sixmilebridge into the break with a 0-7 to 0-2 advantage.

Wolfe Tones roared back after the restart, finding the net twice in the second half to cut the deficit. Only for some outstanding saves from the Shannon goalkeeper, Sixmilebridge might have had three or four goals of their own. 

The all-U16 full-forward line of Ava Moloney (0-1), Kate Monahan (0-4), and Céire McNamara (0-1), alongside wing-forward Halle Keogh (0-3), kept the scoreboard ticking over, ably supported by Sinéad Cahill and Aiveen O’Shea Moloney. By the final whistle, Sixmilebridge had secured a hard-fought 0-16 to 2-3 win.

Wolfe Tones battled fiercely throughout the game  and the Bridge defense was called on time and again. At full-back, Megan Gaule was immense, supported by corner-backs Tina Fitzgerald, Anna O’Doherty, and first-half substitute Mollie McCloskey. Ruth O’Neill centre-back, flanked by Ardia Gerrard and Sally Harrison, with Shona Ryan slotting in effectively after the break.

Midfield saw the Young sisters, Rosie and Saoirse, excel in their first competitive outing in a number of  years, while substitutes Danielle Sheedy and Sophie Grady also impressed when introduced.

In total, 24 players contributed on the night, giving management plenty to think about ahead of future rounds.

Next up: a tough away clash against Division 4 champions Ruan on 30th August.