This article is from page 67 of the 2011-04-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 67 JPG
Sixmilebridge 4-14 – Cratloe 1-10 at Cusack Park, Ennis
A RECORD breaking 13th Under 21A title for Sixmilebridge who banished the ghosts of recent finals to take the honours in the O’Garneyside derby. Having contested the last five minor and Under 21A deciders but only winning one, the pressure was on Sixmilebridge to deliver and they did so in emphatic fashion with an unanswered 2-5 final eight minute flourish to flesh out the winning margin.
In truth, the 13 point difference didn’t reflect the significant role that Cratloe played in the narrative of this often scrappy but tense neighbouring encounter, however there is no doubting that Sixmilebridge deserved their latest silverware on the balance of play.
As expected, the key aspect of this game came down to balance. Sixmilebridge had far more strength in depth and those greater variety of options proved decisive against a Cratloe side that constantly relied on the individual brilliance of all too few.
That said, the near-telepathic understanding between Cathal McInerney and Conor McGrath up front kept Cratloe within touching distance until the finale but it was always going to be a huge ask to expect that pair along with Liam Markham, Conor Ryan and Podge Collins to carry the side over the line.
Instead, Sixmilebridge had their homework done on their opponents strengths, altered their side accordingly and utilised their own assets to bounce back to the winner podium. Paidi Fitzpatrick executed a match-winning manmarking role on McGrath; Brian Carey curbed Ryan at midfield while Shane Golden expertly pulled the strings alongside him and up front Seadna Morey and later Jamie Shanahan put the finish- ing touches to the victory.
After a 15 minute delay due to an uneven queue to turnstile ratio, the eager sides got the game off to a blistering pace with Conor McGrath feeding Podge Collins for the opening scoring inside 30 seconds, with an almost immediate reply from Brian Carey. That pace was maintained for the next few minutes but the accuracy dipped dramatically with Sixmilebridge in particular firing from ambitious ranges.
Cratloe took advantage, with a brace of Cathal McInerney points putting them 0-3 to 0-2 in front by the end of the opening quarter until Sixmilebridge pounced for the opening goal in the 18th minute. A Cratloe puck-out was gathered by Pa Sheehan to play a low ball to Declan Morey who made a trademark turn and solo towards goal before firing on the volley to the net.
Sam O’Sullivan followed up with a point but while the ‘Bridge were on top, they failed to hammer home that advantage further and it allowed Cratloe a window of opportunity that Conor McGrath inevitably took just before the break with two points to trail by just two at 1-4 to 0-5.
That fightback was completed by a Cathal McInerney goal only three minutes after the restart when Sixmilebridge failed to clear their lines and McGrath fed the unmarked McInerney to billow the net. Gaining momentum, Joe O’Connor traded points with Seadna Morey before McIner- ney and McGrath again combined for the former to point once more and extend their lead to two at 1-7 to 1-5 by the 36th minute.
Sixmilebridge had to dig deep and they upped their display considerably through Fitzpatrick, Seadna Morey, Golden at midfield and Jamie Shanahan who opened his account in the best possible manner in the 41st minute with a goal from close range after dispossessing goalkeeper Collins. County minors Shanahan (2) and Morey added another three points without reply to open up a five point lead while goalkeeper Stephen Fleming made a full length dive to stop a McInerney shot in the 44th minute.
Still, Cratloe were not done yet and after a Liam Markham ’65, they reduced the deficit to only two points once more by the 49th minute with a superb Conor McGrath point after shrugging off three defenders and another from Conor Ryan.
Cratloe’s hopes of a full recovery was dashed however only minutes later when a Shane Golden burst down the left wing ended with a shot from 40 metres that eluded goalkeeper David Collins and dropped into the net.
From that point, Cratloe’s heads dropped and a buoyant Sixmilebridge took full advantage with Jamie Shanahan coming into his own in that final period, scoring an impressive 1-4 to ease up to victory.
The good times were back for Sixmilebridge and going on the potential shown on this occasion, they should be there for a long while to come.
Sixmilebridge
Stephen Fleming (7), Gerry Quilligan (7), Paidi Fitzpatrick (8), Eanna Burns (7), Barry O’Connor (7), John Fennessy (7),Trevor Purcell (7), Brian Carey (7) (0-1), Shane Golden (8) (1-0), Seadna Morey (8) (0-4), SamO’Sullivan (7) (0-1), Pa Sheehan (7) (0-1), Ronan Mullane (6) (0-1), Declan Morey (7) (1-0), Jamie Shanahan (8) (2-6 4f, 0-1 Pen)
Subs
Noel Purcell (6) for Burns (46 mins), Cathal O’Connor (7) for Mullane (46 mins)
Cratloe
David Collins (6), Joe Conroy (7), Sean Hynan (7), Jack McCourt (7),Wesley Deloughery (6), Liam Markham(7) (0-1 1’65), Enda Boyce (7), Conor Ryan (7) (0-1), Podge Collins (7) (0-1), Patrick Carey (6), Cathal McInerney (8) (1-3), Dean Deloughery (6),Tomás Ryan (6), Joseph O’Connor (7) (0-1), Conor McGrath (7) (0-3 1f)
Sub
David McInerney for D. Deloughery (58 mins)
Man of the Match
Shane Golden (Sixmilebridge)
Referee
Rory Hickey (Éire Óg)