Inagh/Kilnamona 1-11 Sixmilebridge 1-08

Venue: Eire Óg Ennis on 19/10/2019

By Luke O'Halloran

The 2019 U13A Hurling Final between Sixmilebridge and Inagh Kilnamona took place in Éire Óg last Saturday. Conditions weren’t ideal for an open game of hurling, with a sodden and mucky pitch and a bitter breeze setting the scene for a tight and hard-fought battle.

The contest got off to a tetchy start, two Eamonn Breen frees and an Inagh Kilnamona placed ball the only scores in the first 12 minutes. The Combo landed the first big blow of the game, when midfielder James Hegarty ghosted into a dangerous area before receiving a pass and dispatching to the net. The ‘Bridge responded well, with two more Eamonn Breen frees leaving it level at 1-1 to 0-4 with 20 minutes gone. Jack Mescall began to really stamp his authority on the game for I/K, scoring 3 points from play in the last ten minutes of the half. Eamonn Breen helped keep his side in touch with a couple of more frees, leaving the score at the interval reading Sixmilebridge 0-6 Inagh Kilnamona 1-5.

The Combo began the 2nd half the way they ended the previous, with Mescall and Hegarty both troubling the scorekeeper once again. The Bridge boys took a while to settle into the game after the break, but it was worth the wait. A fine point from Michael Morey was followed straight after by a barnstorming run from Finn Murphy, who popped the ball inside where Darragh Whyte was dragged down by the goalkeeper. Eamonn Breen continued his dead ball prowess, scoring the resultant penalty not once, but twice after it had to be retaken. The two teams were now deadlocked at 1-7 a piece entering the final quarter. However, Inagh Kilnamona pulled away from Sixmilebridge, largely thanks to James Hegarty landing 3 monstrous frees. Michael Morey did double his tally with another nice point, but Fred Hegarty ended the game with his 62nd minute point leaving the score at SMB 1-8 I/K 1-11.

Mark Sheedy was very sharp in goals, Callum Toomey had a stormer especially when switched to wing back, Cillian Murphy sacrificed his own game to do a great job on a dangerous IK player. Up front Finn Murphy and Michael Morey were prominent in asking questions of the IK defence.

The ‘Bridge u13’s have enjoyed a hugely successful campaign and this competition is all about these Player’s Hurling development development with a view to the U14 C’ship and Feile competition next Spring. All the 13 year olds(2006 born) have played and got a taste of the standard that exists in the A competition while a good smattering of the 12 year olds also got the chance to step up. In combination with the U13 Academy competition it means all our players can look forward to the 2020 campaign and closing the very small gap to Inagh Kilnamona while also being ready for the challenge which will inevitably come also from Doora Barefield, Clooney Quin, Cratloe etc.

Sixmilebridge: Mark Sheedy, William Chaplin, Jack O’Halloran, Callum Toomey, Harry Chaplin, Jack Phelan, Will Gilligan, Matthew O’Halloran, Cillian Murphy, Calum Phelan, Finn Murphy(Joint Captain), Niall Liddane, Ben O’Connell, Michael Morey(Joint Captain), Eamonn Breen.

Subs: Mark Mullins, Darragh Whyte, Don Whitty, Niall Moloney, Robert Stafford, Ben Maxwell, Aidan Moloney, Dylan Keogh

U13 A & Academy Management: Mike O’Halloran, Cathal Walsh, Fletcher, Martin Breen, Alan Murphy, Gerry Liddane, Donal Mullins, Declan Lenane

Apprentice(!) Coaches: Luke O’Halloran, Evan Murphy