Half time score: SMB 3-13 - Doora Barefield 1-03

Full time score: SMB 6-22 - Doora Barefield 1-06

Scorers: Dylan Keogh (2007) (4-06), Cillian Murphy (0-01 ’65, 0-08 frees), Cian Conroy (1-02), John

Deasy (1-01), Rory Chaplin (0-02), Neil Forde (0-02).

Wednesday June 8 th saw the Sixmilebridge U15A Team take on a Doora Barefield team who werecmissing some of their central players in the U15 A Shield Final in O’Garney Park. This was the fifth time the sides have met this year between the Academy and A Team so both teams were well acquainted and our U15A boys were out to emulate the winning performance of our U15 Academy boys against the same club in the Academy final at the end of last month.

It was noted that the pitches in O’Garney Park and Gurteen must have the same orientation as conditions were very similar for that previous final with the sun setting across the pitch and a strong breeze to match, neither side had an advantage in that sense.

Captain Mark Mullins won the toss for Sixmilebridge and elected to play towards his homeland of Kilmurry. To say Sixmilebridge got off to a strong start would be an understatement having clocked up 2-07 to no score after 15 minutes. Dylan Keogh made an unstoppable run at the defence from out on the right wing to rifle the ball past the keeper and he also scored two points from play. Not to be out done, Cian Conroy having already bagged a point, charged in from the left wing and buried the ball in the net. Stephen Gavin kept up a consistent work rate at left half forward while Cillian Murphy pointed three frees judging the wind to perfection and Rory Chaplin knocked over a lovely point on the run.

If the Bridge boys kept up this rate of performance Doora Barefield were going to have to get a handle on the game and sure enough they got a point on the scoreboard after 20 minutes followed quickly by a goal after intercepting a short puck out.

Right throughout the match and reminiscent of Brian Lohan in his Clare heyday, captain Mullins absolutely led by example at full back, stifling several Doora Barefield attacks, bursting out of defence with ball in hand and driving it up the field time and time again. Accompanied by Cuan Mac Giolla Cearra and the younger Dylan Keogh at corner backs with Darragh Whyte, Aidan “Usain Bolt” Moloney and Jack O’Halloran across the half back line, nothing was getting past this crew much to the relief of Conor Keogh minding the net.

With excellent control and ball distribution from backs to forwards, the Bridge went on the rampage again. A GPS tracker would have melted on John Deasy’s back trying to keep account of his movements between the 45’s and Donal O’Leary, having shipped several hard tackles, worked tirelessly in midfield alongside Cillian Murphy.

Darragh Leyden was denied a couple of goal chances but showed his strength in the breakdown by winning several possessions and assisting Dylan Keogh who was enjoying his scoring form by tagging on another 1-02, John Deasy scored a well-earned point and Cillian Murphy added to his account with two more points from frees and a point from a 65.

And it was only half time…. into the dressing room for a breather and a Jaffa cake on a score line of 3-13 to 1-03 to the Bridge. Huge thanks to Mark Deasy who has been providing drinks and half time snacks for the players all year. This has often led to a sprint for the dressing room at half time!

Whether or not Doora Barefield were missing some key players, you could sense that nothing was going to stop Sixmilebridge in the second half, such was their desire to win. Dylan Keogh at corner forward picked up where he left off in the first half by scoring another 1-02 on the attack and Rory Chaplin added another to his first half point. In came the subs and Neil Forde made his mark contributing two points from long striding attacks along the left wing. Conor Peacock, Jack McNamara, Peter Gilligan, Cathal Aherne and James Lynch all ensured the significant lead was maintained to put the game out of Doora Barefields reach.

Cian Conroy scored another point and pounced on a Doora defensive error to set up John Deasy for a cracking goal. Cillian Murphy added three more points from frees bringing his tally to 9 points.

Doora Barefield registered three points in the second half and the match was brought to an end with another goal from a Bridge attack. It finished on a score line of 6-22 to 1-06 in favour of the ome team.

The U15A team were delighted to receive the Shield from Jim Corbett. Mark Mullins graciously accepted the presentation with a fine speech praising the squad for their efforts all year, thanking the management team, and most importantly acknowledging the support of all the parents and families before finishing off with three cheers for Doora Barefield.

Huge thanks to Jean and Christine for keeping a tally on the stats for all of our games, and to Declan Lenane for putting together these match reports which will be lovely to have for the players in years to come, as they recount their underage hurling days. Thanks also to Paul McNamara, Eoin Gavin and Sean Lynch who always helped for linesman or umpiring duties on match days.

Thanks to all the coaches for putting in such an effort since last December: Tadgh Keogh, Barry Coffey, Declan Lenane, Adrian Chaplin, Kevin Phelan, Alan Whyte, Mark Deasy and Donal Mullins.

And so, on a fine summers evening, the U15 season wrapped up with two county final wins for the squad, it’s clear the future is bright for Sixmilebridge hurling as we all look forward to these boys moving onwards and upwards!

Back row (L-R): Killian Downes, Cathal Aherne, Dylan Keogh (2008), Rory Chaplin, Jack O’Halloran, Darragh Whyte, Cillian Murphy (Vice Captain), Aidan Moloney, Darragh Leyden, James Lynch, John Deasy, Dylan Keogh (2007), Mark Mullins (Captain).

Front row (L-R): Cian Conroy, Peter Gilligan, Jack McNamara, Stephen Gavin, Donal O’Leary, Conor Keogh, Cuan Mac Giolla Cearra, Conor Peacock, Neil Forde, Zak Phelan, Padraic Keogh (Joint manager and
mascot).