Sixmilebridge 5-14 St Joseph’s/Doora Barefield 1-11

St Joseph’s/Doora Barefield hosted Sixmilebridge in this under 16 A Round 5 tie at Gurteen last Friday evening. The home side started the brightest and Morgan Lahiffe had them 1 point up with a free in the first minute. The St. Joseph’s/Doora Barefield forwards were very sharp in the opening few minutes and this seemed to unnerve the ‘Bridge full back line. When a high ball landed on the 20 metre line 3 minutes in, Colin Kelly (full back) was quick to run onto it. However Cian Fawl (keeper) saw the danger and ran out to clear it. Both called for it and due to a genuine mix up which caused a momentary hesitation Seanie Keane the St. Joseph’s/Doora Barefield full forward was sharp enough to take advantage and pulled on the ball into an empty ‘Bridge net to go 4 points up. A big blow but it was a wakeup call to the ‘Bridge. Luke O Halloran got a point back for the ‘Bridge with his first free of the game only for Seanie Keane again to stretch St. Joseph’s/Doora Barefield lead with another fine point in the fifth minute.

The ‘Bridge were now beginning to settle into the game with the half back line and midfield getting much more involved. They scored the next two points from placed balls, Evan Murphy (65) and a Luke O Halloran free on 10 minutes. The ‘Bridge then went ahead 12 minutes in after a very good passage of play where they worked the ball from their half back line, midfield onto Luke O Halloran in the half forward line who let it off to Dylan Downes who struck first time into the back of the St. Joseph’s/Doora Barefield net. The goal was good but the build-up was excellent with several ‘Bridge players working together. St. Joseph’s/Doora Barefield fought back and got the next three points thanks to two Lahiffe frees and a cracking point from Eoghan Talty to go back in front by a point. David Kennedy put the ‘Bridge back in front 20 minutes in when he won possession on the 20 metre line and buried the ball to the back of the St. Joseph’s/Doora Barefield net. Luke O Halloran extended it further with two more pointed frees. On the stroke of halftime St. Joseph’s/Doora Barefield keeper Evan Creaven pulled off a brilliant save from a Dylan Downes strike with Evan Murphy converting the 65 to leave the halftime score 2-6 to 1-6 in favour of the ‘Bridge.

At the interval the ‘Bridge made positional changes with Sean MacNamara moving to wing forward and Matthew Hurley taking up the full forward spot with David Kennedy staying in around the corner forward area. Evan O’Callaghan also came on at wing forward in place of Seamus O Connell. Now aided by a strong diagonal wind the ‘Bridge started to pile on the pressure out scoring St. Joseph’s/Doora Barefield 6 points to 2 in the first 20 minutes of the half with the home side failing to score from play during this period. 22 minutes in the ‘Bridge were awarded a 20 metre free out on the side line. Luke O Halloran realising the angle was too tight showed good vision and lobbed a ball over the St. Joseph’s/Doora Barefield corner back into the hand of unmarked Matthew Hurley who turned and ran at the St. Joseph’s/Doora Barefield goal, and aware he was going to be hooked batted the sliotar into the back of the net.

St. Joseph’s/Doora Barefield scored two more points, one free and one from play which were cancelled out by Evan Murphy and Luke O Halloran frees before the game was finally put beyond their reach on the stroke of full time when Luke Keogh won possession 40 metres out and made a blistering run at goal making a sublime hand pass to David Kennedy who finished it into the right corner of the net.

A minute later Sean MacNamara hit a bullet of a shot into the same right corner for the ‘Bridge’s fifth goal.
For St. Joseph’s/Doora Barefield, Eoghan Talty was very dangerous throughout. Dara Nagle, and Seanie Keane were also excellent.
For Sixmilebridge Luke O Halloran was outstanding winning a lot of dirty ball, well able to take his own scores but set up two goals as well. Also very good on the short range frees. Ferdia O Lionan was also brilliant in the corner back position. Storm Devanney was very impressive, especially in the first half.

Sixmilebridge: Cian Fawl, Conor Morey, Colin Kelly, Ferdia O’Lionain, Leon Kelly, Darragh Toomey, Evan Murphy 0-4, 2-F, 2-65, Storm Devanney, Dylan Downes 1-1, Seamus O’Connell, Luke O’Halloran 0-8, (0-6F), Matthew Hurley 1-0, David Kennedy 2-0, Sean MacNamara 1-1, Luke Keogh, Evan O’Callaghan, Scott Kirkland, Adam O’Sullivan, Eoin Morby, Oisin Breen.

St. Joseph’s/Doora Barefield: Evan Creaven, Adrian Baker, David McNicholas, Darragh Whelan, Cian Lahiffe, Dara Nagle, Darragh O’Callaghan, Fionn Kelleher, Joey Keane, Matthew power, Eoghan Talty 0-2, Shane O Halloran, Donal O’Driscoll 0-1, Seanie Keane 1-1, Morgan Lahiffe 0-7(F).

Referee: Jim Hickey.