Source - Clare Echo, Páraic McMahon

Photos - Ryan Muphy

Premier Intermediate Relegation Final

Saturday Sep 26th, 2026

Sixmilebridge 1-11

Smith O'Briens 2-14

Venue - Clonlara

Referee: Brendan Hannon (O’Callaghans Mills) 

On Saturday morning, Smith O’Briens emerged victorious in the Clare PIHC relegation final. A man of the match performance from Mike Gough paved the way for this merited victory. Lining out at full forward Gough contributed 2-4 of his side’s tally as the Killaloe side avoided dropping back down to the grade from which they won promotion last year.

The winners played against the breeze in the first half but helped by an early goal from Gough they were five points ahead at the break when the score was 1-8 to 0-6.

The Killaloe side continued to hold the upperhand in the early stages of the second half and, in fact, extended their lead to nine points at one stage. Helped by a goal from goalkeeper Derek Fahy who converted a free, the ‘Bridge stormed back and cut the winners lead to two points with five minutes remaining. Then Gough struck again and his second goal sealed victory for his side and their premier intermediate status for next year.

Smith O’Briens Team & Scorers:

James Power, Sean McMahon, Dwane Sheedy, Stephen Geraghty, Micheál Ryan (Sub Diarmuid Coleman ), Conor Geraghty, Cathal Stritch (0-2), David Gough (0-1), Eoin Heffron, Keith Stritch, Marc O’Halloran (Sub Adam Moloney), Jason Monaghan (0-4, 2 '65), David O’Shea (0-2), Mike Gough (2-4), Brendan Minogue

Sixmilebridge Team & Scorers

Derek Fahy (1-0), John Deasy, Adam Breen, Colm Flynn, Luke Keogh, Brian Carey, Jack O Halloran, Mark Mullins, Cillian Murphy (0-1), Stephan Gavin (0-3), Caimin Morey (0-1, f), Fionn Hayes (0-1), Dara Casey (Sub Daniel Chaplin (0-3)), Dylan Keogh (Sub Seamus O'Connell), Ronan Touhy (Sub Kevin Lynch)