Seniors beat Cratloe in Round 1 of Clare Cup

Sixmilebridge 0-18

Cratloe 1-12 

Sixmilebridge played out an entertaining game against neighbours Cratloe in the 1st round of the Clare Cup last week at O' Garney park. The visitors were without a number of their top hurlers as they were playing with Clare in a crucial league game the following day. These included Podge Collins, Cathal mcInerney, Sean Collins and also injured Clare hurler Conor McGrath. Sixmilebridge were also missing some regulars but this gave a chance to others to impress. Cratloe opened the scoring with a James Enright point before adding to that with a free from Liam Markham. The 'bridge opened their account with a long distance point from a free by Caimin Morey. Cratloe held the lead util the final minute of the half when a point from play by veteran Niall Gilligan equalled matters all square at 0-07 each. 

Cathal Malone making his first competitive start for the 'Bridge impressed throughout and opened the 'Bridge scoring at the start of the second half, the 'Bridge taking the lead but only briefly as Cratloes Barry Gleeson equalised again. It took until the 57th minute before the 'Bridge finally took the lead again with a point from play, Niall Gilligan again the scorer. From here Pa Sheehan and Brian Corry added points to give the 'Bridge a 3 point win. Whilst the 'Bridge did most of the hurling a lot of misses meant Cratloe were able to keep their noses in front for most of the game. In the end its whats on the scoreboard that counts and the 'Bridge took the points on offer on a scoreline of 0-18 to 1-12. 

Impressive for the 'bridge were Paudie Fitzpatrick, Caim Morey, Cathal Malone with 3 points from play and Niall Gilligan with 4 points from play.

Impressive for Cratloe were liam Markham in the middle of the field who covered a lot of ground and scored 3 points from play. 

Sixmilebridge Derek Fahy, Barry Fitzpatrick, Aidan Quilligan, Tadgh Keogh, Paudie Fitzpatrick, Caimin Morey (0-02, 2f), Brian Carey, Kevin Lynch, Seadna Morey (0-02), Pa Sheehan (0-02), Niall Gilligan (0-04), Cathal Malone (0-03), Brian Corry (0-04, 3f), Shane Golden, Gavin Whtye (0-01) Subs used: Sam O' Sullivan, Cathal Lynch 

Cratloe Gearoid Ryan, Philip Gleeson, Michael Hawes, David Ryan, Sean Chaplin,Conor Ryan, Joe Conroy, Liam Markham (0-06, 3f), Enda Boyce, David Collins, James Enright (0-02), Damien Browne, Barry Gleeson (1-04, 3f), Thomas O' Connor, Pa Carey Referee: Ger Hoey