SMB Junior As crowned Junior A League Champions

(Report by Patrick Punch)

Sixmilebridge 3-12

Doora Barefield 0-12

The Sixmilebridge Junior A team defeated Doora Barefield with a score line of 3-12 to 0-12 to be crowned 2015 Junior A league champions. This was a great result for a hard working a committed bridge team. This game was a lot closer than the final score line suggests. 

The 'Bridge got off to a good start in the 2nd minute with a point from Tommy Liddy.  This was quickly canceled out by Doora with a point from a free. Stiofan Fitzpatrick then replied with a long range point to put the 'Bridge 2 points to 1 up after 4 minutes. Doora then added another point from play to level the match on 6 minutes. The 'Bridge went ahead again with a Tommy Liddy free. 6 minutes then passed until the next score of the match when Doora equalized with a free. Doora then added another point 2 minutes later to put them into the lead for the first time of the match. 

Doora began to dominate the game and their forwards started to cause the 'Bridge defence some problems. Doora then added another point to their tally to leave the score Doora 0-05 'Bridge 0-03 with 20 minutes gone. Some ill-discipline from Doora kept the 'Bridge in touch and Tommy Liddy converted a free in the 21st minute to leave the 'Bridge trailing by 1.Doora then responded with a point on the 23rd minute to push their lead back out to 2 points. 

Credit must be given to the 'Bridge as they battled in the final minutes of the half and they were rewarded with a free on 25 minutes which Tommy Liddy pointed to leave the 'Bridge trailing by 1. Then the 'Bridge equalised just at the end of the first half with the score of the game. Corner back David O Meara made a surging run up the field and laid off a lovely pass to Centre Forward Jamie Keogh and he split the posts to leave the game all square at half time. HT Score was 0-06 to 0-06.

The 'Bridge made one change at half time with Stevie Mulready replacing Shane McInerney. Doora got off to a bright start with 2 points in the first few minutes. The 'Bridge responded with 2 pointed frees from Tommy liddy on 37  39 minutes to the leave the game all square. 

Then the turning point of the game happened. A well worked move from the 'Bridge forwards resulted in substitute Stevie Mulready getting the ball 15 yards from goal and he made no mistake dispatching it to the net. This was the catalyst the 'Bridge needed. Shortly after Doora were reduced to 14 men with center back Kenneth kennedy receiving a second yellow. From then on the bridge never looked back. Jamie Keogh then pointed shortly after and this was followed by another point from Tommy Liddy. Then the 'Bridge secured victory with 2 further goals by the inform Tommy Liddy to leave the score 3-10 to 0-11 in favour of the 'Bridge. The 'Bridge added further scores from Robert Conlon and Jamie Keogh to leave the final score 3-12 to 0-12. 

Credit must be given to Doora Barefield who kept battling to the end and only for some resolute defending by the 'Bridge backs in the second half they would be a lot closer at the end. This was a very physical and enjoyable game and both teams should be very proud of their performances. 

The 'Bridge Junior As will be hoping to carry on their winning form into the championship.

Sixmilebridge Team: 1) Richard Drake 2) Mark Quinn 3) Rory Liddane 4) David O Meara 5) Seanie Murray 6) Adrian Chaplin 7) Jason Murphy 8) Kieran Liddane 9) Donald Devanney 10) Stiofan Fitzpatrick 11) Jamie Keogh 12) Robert Conlon 13) Shane McInerney 14) Errol Tuohy 15) Tommy Liddy

 Subs: Daniel Collins (Replaced S. Murry on 55mins), Stephan Mulready (Replaced Shane McInerney at HT), Kevin Phelan (Replaced Errol Tuohy on 54 minutes), Barry Deasy, Matty, Eoin Quinn, Colm Noonan, Ryan McCarthy, Johnny Hayes, Mark Colbert.

Management: (Manager) Alan White. (Selectors) Pat Corbett, Patrick Punch, Keith Walker and Brian O Loughlin