Hamilton Park, Kilkishen will host todays Junior C county hurling final between Sixmilebridge and The Banner with throw in at 2PM. The Bridge will be hoping to go one step further this year having lost last years final to Wolfe Tones. Manager Jude Kearney who captained the Bridge to an All Ireland club title back in 1991 has bolstered this years team with the likes of Michael O Halloran and captain Martin Conlon.

Indeed Conlon really epitomises the sprit of hurlers in our club at the moment who having made his senior club debut as a 16 year old in 1993 and won an All Irelans club in 1996 continues to lead as a player and a mentor. His assistant coach on the U6 team and current senior club captain Caimin Morey said "Players like Martin have really helped to lift the old age slow & heavy profile of Junior hurlers - Martin who is the same go as Gilly, while playing at different levels have both maintained serious levels of fitness as they hit a new decade in age (Note: I didnt say directly they could now play for the over 40s) - The team have put in a huge effort all year and we are all rowing in behind them on Saturday".

Speaking to Sixmilebridgegaa.com, our most decorated club hurler Flan Quilligan says he still remembers the day Martin arrived in to training in 1993 - Pat Morey was the action man figure back then who they thought was flexible but Martins fitness and flexibility had the dressing room in awe. "According to Quilligan most lads who were nervous before a game could be seeing chewing on their finger nails but Conlon was so flexible he was able to bite his toe nails. Its a testament to Martin he is still going and I wish him and the team the best of luck".

A great blend of youth and experience exists in Kearneys squad with the likes of Jim Spaight (who holds the record of breaking the most number of hurleys in a county final (intermediate final against Ballyea) ),  Brian O Loughlin and Mark McInerney having over 80 years of experience defending Bridge goalies. The centre of defence is manned by Alan McCauley who knows all about delivering on the big stage - McCauley was in fact the first winner of the Bridge X Factor on stage in the Mill bar a number of years ago.

Up front the Flannery brothers will be hoping to keep the umpires busy - Noel who was an uneering free taker in his youth with the old style roll-lift-strike method is joined by younger brother Podge who was an All Ireland winner himself back in 1995. Podge who works as forwards coach on the U6 team told us last night at the Monaleen tournament "there is a very posivive energy about the team this year - players are enjoying their hurling which is the main thing".

The fact that the club have 4 adult teams and not just making up the numbers but challenging for honours is a huge achievement - we know that this bunch will give their heart and soul on Saturday for the jersey and we wish them the best of luck.

Fixture: SMB V The Banner

Venue: Kilkishen

Time: 2PM