U13 Academy Shield Quarter Final v Clarecastle

The U13 Academy A Championship entered the knockout stages last week, with the Sixmilebridge team hosting Clarecastle in a Shield Quarter Final om Monday Aug 30th. While the squad have rotated the captaincy throughout the championship, Oisin O'Brien was nominated to lead the boys in the knockout stages. Oisin has been putting in great performances all year in the cornerback position and was a very popular choice as captain amongst the squad.

A bright start by Sixmilebridge saw them race into a 2-4 to 0-0 lead at the first waterbreak with Cillian O'Connor providing the goals and Conor Keogh providing the points. The boys stayed in control for the rest of the game and held off a late Clarecastle rally in the second half to win out on a final score of Sixmilebridge 7-5 Clarecastle 2-5.

Scorers:

• Cilian O'Connor 2-1
• Charlie Keane, Dougie Brew, Cathal Ryan, Leon Duggan and Eoin Murphy: 1 goal each
• Conor Keogh: 4 points

U13 Academy Shield Semi Final v Kilmaley

The result meant the boys qualified for a semi-final v Kilmaley (in Kilmaley) last Saturday morning (4th September). This proved to be an epic battle between 2 evenly matched teams on a beautiful morning for hurling. Kilmaley hit the Bridge for a couple of early goals with our boys responding in kind to go into the waterbreak with a 3-2 to 3 goal lead (the 3 goals scored by full forward Cillian O'Connor). By half time the boys had extended their lead to 3 points (4-4 to 4-1). The second half was a ding-dong battle with the lead being exchanged several times, concluding with the hosts scoring a last minute free to even things up (SMB 5-5 Kilmaley 6-2). As there had to be a winner on the day, the game went to extra-time. Unfortunately, the exertions of the previous hour in the heat took their toll on our lads and they eventually lost out on a score-line of SMB 5-5 Kilmaley 7-3.

Scorers in this game:

• Cillian O'Connor - 3 goals
• Leon Duggan - 1-1
• Tommy Healy - 1 goal
• Conor Keogh - 4 points.

As well as the scorers there were also notable displays from centre-back Ross Kearney and corner-back Aidan Cunniffe.

While disappointed with the result, the squad have a lot to be proud of. This championship (10 games in total) has been a real learning experience for all involved. After a few disappointing results earlier in the campaign, the boys knuckled down and really turned things around in the second half of the championship. This is the first year this group have played 15 aside on a full pitch and it was great to see players begin to settle into their positions over the last few months.

This is not the end of the U13 Academy season though. We will continue to train through to the end of October with several challenges games being arranged to keep the squad busy in the coming weeks.

Best of luck to Kilmaley in the Shield final.

U13 A v Clarecastle

The penultimate round of the league stage of the U13 A championship occured this week, with Sixmilebridge hosting Clarecastle on Wednesday evening (08 September). Our lads, captained by Jack McNamara, were hoping for a good result with the aim of progressing to the semi-finals of the competition.

In contrast to the fine weather we have experienced over the last few days, the match was played in wet conditions. This turned out to be a low scoring affair with the defence for both teams on top throughout. Half time saw the Bridge ahead on a scoreline of 1-1 to 1-0 (goal scored by Conor Fitzpatrick). Despite several good scoring opportunities in the second half, Sixmilebridge had to be content with 3 additional points from Rory Chaplin. A late goal from a 20 metre free from Clarecastle saw them draw level on a final scoreline of SMB 1-4 Clarecastle 2-1.

Scorers :

• Rory Chaplin - 4 points.
• Conor Fitzpatrick - 1 goal

Good displays in this game also by defenders Luke Deegan, Dylan Keogh and Conor Peacock.

With one game left in the league format, the A team are third in the table on 11 points and will play Inagh Kilnamona (currently 4th in the table, also on 11 points) in their last match on Sunday 19th. With 3 teams still in contention for the last two semi-final spots, this is sure to be an epic encounter.