Sixmilebridge negate Clonlara stars for impressive victory

Delivering their best performance in four years since they last won the Canon Hamilton Cup, The ‘Bridge led from start to finish and negated their opponents’ star men Ian Galvin and John Conlon to capture a surprise victory to accompany neighbours Cratloe, Feakle and Inagh-Kilnamona in the semi-finals.

And yet it was never comfortable, not even when Jamie Shanahan followed up on a Brian Corry shot to score their second goal in the 47th minute. That put them four points up and they went as far as five ahead when Shanahan later sent over a second point.

However, outside of Michael O’Loughlin’s free-taking, Clonlara weren’t truly pushing Sixmilebridge. Yes, Michael Stritch’s late volley blazed over the bar and O’Loughlin had a late free that was smothered but the result was a most just one.

“The boys have been absolutely incredible since the result came out,” gushed Sixmilebridge joint-manager Tommy Liddy. “This was the draw they wanted; they knew the best team in Clare were Clonlara.

“No-one gave us a chance but they knew if they were going to make a statement, it would have to be against one of the top few teams. They have trained really hard all year, they deserved a big day today and I’m just delighted it came out in spades.

“Even when Clonlara got their few scores, we continued to make the scoreboard tick and tick and it kept us in front. We never went behind before. I knew there was a performance coming.” 

Sixmilebridge had three points to their name by the time Clonlara converted their first. That came from a O’Loughlin free, a resource they relied on heavy in a period when they were playing within themselves.

The Bridge’s forward line were livelier and that dynamism was illustrated best by David Kennedy who raised a green flag in the seventh minute. Matthew O’Halloran was the provider.

Clonlara couldn’t get their puck-out platform going until the closing stages of the first half. Conlon was being effectively thwarted in that department so when Clonlara lost their centre-back Dylan McMahon to a serious injury that required lengthy treatment it gave the Clare star the chance to redeem himself at centre-back.

However, Conlon coughed up two frees, one for a throw ball and another for a silly foul close to the sideline, that were both penalised by Alex Morey’s free-taking.

If that indiscipline was costly, Sixmilebridge’s general foul play was costing them dearer. O’Loughlin had sent over seven points from frees by the half-time break and ensured the margin was only a score, 1-10 to 0-10.

Corry was just as lively as Kennedy in the Sixmilebridge half of the field and had posted three points in the first half. Seadna Morey teed him up nicely for a third score in the seven minutes of additional time owing to the medical attention provided to McMahon.

Morey could consider his first half’s efforts silencing Ian Galvin a job well done but Clonlara could have been on level terms going into the dressing room but for Sixmilebridge goalkeeper Derek Fahy keeping out Colm O’Meara.

“Derek has been immense for The ‘Bridge over the years,” said Liddy. “Derek has to be on his top game every day he goes out to keep ahead of Mark (Sheedy). It’s a testament to him that he’s ahead just about. It’s keeping him razor-sharp for those moments.” 

Liddy hadn’t been paying attention to any of the other quarter-finals. Just to be in the mix is enough for him.

“Being back training on the field under lights on Tuesday night is something The Bridge haven’t had in two or three years now. We love being able to come down at 8 or 9 o’clock and have the kids there and the lights on and it creates a buzz around the village.”

Scorers for Sixmilebridge: A. Morey (0-9, frees); J. Shanahan (1-2); D. Kennedy (1-1); B. Corry (0-3); L. Fitzpatrick, J. Loughnane, A. Mulready (0-1 each).

Scorers for Clonlara: M. O’Loughlin (0-15, 13 frees); C. O’Connell, C. O’Meara, M. Collins, I. Galvin, A. Moriarty, M. Stritch (0-1 each).

SIXMILEBRIDGE: D. Fahy; C. Flynn, B. Fitzpatrick, N. Purcell; C. Deasy, P. Fitzpatrick, L. Kelly; M. O’Halloran, J. Loughnane; L. Fitzpatrick, J. Shanahan (c), S. Golden; B. Corry, A. Morey, D. Kennedy.

Subs: F. Ó Briain for L. Kelly (40); A. Mulready for L. Fitzpatrick (48); C. Morey for D. Kennedy (53); N. Purcell for C. Deasy (54); B. Carey for J. Loughnane (60+2).

CLONLARA: S. Gully; M. Clancy, P. O’Loughlin, D. Fitzgerald; C. Galvin, D. McMahon, J. McMahon; D. Stritch, C. O’Connell; J. Conlon, C. O’Meara, A. Moriarty; M. Collins, M. O’Loughlin, I. Galvin.

Subs: E. Begley for D. McMahon (inj 25); L. Ryan for J. Conlon (temp 30+4 to 30+6); M. Stritch for M. Collins (53); L. Ryan for C. Galvin (59).

Referee: E. O’Leary (Whitegate).