Sixmilebridge 1-17 Bodyke 1-15

35 years have passed since the Bridge last won the Junior A Championship back in 1981 and todays win puts the title count at 5. Monsoon weather conditions in the county town this morning meant a relocation for this fixture to the recently crowned Intermediate champions home at Gurteen.

A fine crowd was in attendance with Bodyke making all the running the first half scoring the games only goal to lead by 2 points on a score of 1-08 to 0-09. The Bridge scorers were mainly form placed balls through Robert Conlon & Tommy Liddy.

The Bridge hit the ground running in the second half and withthe aid of the wind reduced it to a single point through Errol Tuohy. However Bodyke recovered well and put 4 points between the teams mid way through the second half. Barry Deasy respnded from distance to put 3 between them before Birthday Boy Kevin Phelan rattled the net to level matters on the 48th minute.

Scores were exchanged before Liddy had the chance for the winner but it was arried by the keeper for a 65. Robert Conlon stood over it and just like his brother Martin had done 24 hours earlier split the posts to put the Bridge 1 up heading for injury time. For good measure Conlon added another monster free as the referee continued to play 7 minutes extra time to give the Bridge a famous win.

After the game County Chairman Joe Cooney presented the cup to captain Stiofan Mac Ghiolla Phadraig. The local Solicitor spoke of how they returned to training on January 4th this year to avenge last year and the players promised each other they would leave no stone left unturned to ensure they went one step further. Team manager Alan Whyte who won an All Ireland club medal in 1996 had high prainse for his charges who he said gave 110% through out the year and got their just reward.

Management: Alan Whyte, Martin Conlon, Patrick Punch, Brian O'Loughlin, Richard Cahill, Darragh Whyte (Maor Uisce)

Team. Gerry O Halloran, Mark Quinn, Jason Mush Murphy, Dave O'Meara, Seanie Murray, Robert Conlon, Kieran Liddane, Adrian Chaplin, Donald Duck Devanney, Jamie Keogh, Brian Colbert,Stiofan Fitzpatrick, Tommy Liddy, Kevin Phelan, Errol Tuohy.

Subs: Barry Deasy for Chappy (inj), Conor Cahill for Colbert, Richard Drake, Cathal Walsh, Barry O' Connor, Conor Murphy, Eoin Quinn, Mark McInerney, Ryan McCarthy, JP Griffin.

For the record our Junior Championship wins are (5):
1947, 1950, 1956, 1981, 2016.