This article is from page 81 of the 2011-08-30 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 81 JPG
Crusheen 1-09 – Sixmilebridge 1-07 at Dr Daly Memorial Park, Tulla
CRUSHEEN’S record of having all three adult teams in knock-out league ties at the weekend proved that rising tides lift all boats as they successfully steered their third side to victory and yet another final for the club on Saturday.
On reflection it was also a great achievement for Sixmilebridge to field a fourth team at such a short notice and it is something all involved with the team deserve massive credit for.
Due to the commencement of the Junior A championship in recent weeks, the ‘Bridge were without 23 players for this crunch tie, all of whom had played some part in their three championship games so far.
However, looking back on the game, Sixmilebridge certainly had their chances to take the spoils but in the end Crusheen were the ones celebrating as they edged a tight contest.
Both sides had a good mix of youth and experience with the ‘Bridge calling on the likes of former Clare senior Michael O’Halloran and his fellow All-Ireland club medallists Martin Conlon, Alan and Ian Mulready while Crusheen introduced evergreen Michael Fogarty to the action when he completed his own bit of history by playing in his fifth decade for the club and joining son Edward on the side.
As for the game itself, Sixmilebridge made all the early running and raced into an early three point lead thanks to efforts from Martin Conlon (2) and Jayme Keogh. It took Crusheen a while to settle as the ‘Bridge were on top before their opponents were boosted by a goal from Alan Griffin. The ‘Bridge backs, led bril- liantly by O’Halloran and Mulready, were clearing everything that was thrown at them with these clearances being converted into scores. Sixmilebridge hit back with two placed balls from the accurate Conlon before they had the first goal chance of the game that was smothered by the Crusheen defence. They were soon to rectify that miss when Jayme Keogh showed good strength to get in a shot which was well saved by John Hanrahan before substitute Aidan Hyland was on hand to hammer the ball home. This gave Sixmilebridge, who hav ing played with the aid of a breeze, a 1-5 to 1-0 lead with less than five minutes to half time. Crusheen had the final score of the half when senior panellist Niall Kearney fired over after they had hit a few wides earlier in the half.
Sixmilebridge started the second half brightly and had a few early scoring chances. However it was Crusheen, now backed by the breeze, that converted their chances through Paraic O’Malley and Keith Lenihan. Added pressure from the ‘Bridge saw them get their first score of the half when Darragh Fitzgerald sent over a nice score. Niall Kearney replied back for the Blood and Bandages with a free before Conlon split the posts with a like score after Barry Corbett was fouled. Unfortunately for the ‘Bridge this turned out to be their last score of the game. In the last quarter Crusheen hit a few chances wide before Philip O’Donnell sent over a good score from his left side. Crusheen created several goal chances in that final quarter but found goalkeeper Stephen Stewart and defender Mark Hehir in stubborn form. From here to the end the Crusheen men had the better of the exchanges with Paraic O’Malley hitting over another two points along with two fine scores from substitute Niall Griffin to put their side into the league final having trailed for most of the game. In that decider, they will play neighbours Tubber who had a comprehensive 3-12 to 1-07 victory Parteen in the other semi final.
Crusheen
John Hanrahan; Darren O’Connor, Damien Murphy, Eoin Ryan; Enda O’Brien, Paul O’Donnell, Ethan O’Donnell; Edward Fogarty, Conor O’Brien; Philip O’Donnell (0-1), Brendan Keehan,Alan Griffin (1-0); Paraic O’Malley (0-3), Keith Lenihan (0-1), Niall Kearney (0-2 1f)
Subs
Niall Griffin (0-2) for O’Brien (inj),Anthony Rodgers for Keehan (inj), Michael Fogarty for Rodgers (inj)
Sixmilebridge
Stephen Stewart; Patrick Punch (Captain), Michael O’Halloran, Darragh McNamara; Mark Hehir,Alan Mulready, Robert McNamara; Ed Skehan, Darragh Fitzgerald (0-1); Eoghan McNulty, Martin Conlon (0-5 4f), Barry Corbett; Caimin Barrett, Jayme Keogh (0-1), Paul Finnin.
Subs
Aidan Hyland (1-0) for McNulty, James O’Neill for Punch (inj), Ian Chaplin for Fitzgerald (inj), Ian Mulready for Barrett
Referee
John Dolan (Clarecastle)
Other results
Football Under 21C Championship Semi- Finals Kildysart 1-15 O’Curry’s/Naomh Eoin 2-11 Meelick received a walkover fromCoolmeen
Junior A Championship Round 3
Group 2 St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield 1-13 Kilmihil 1-09
Group 3
Michael Cusack’s 4-20WolfeTones 0-02
Junior A Championship Round 4
Group 1 Naomh Eoin 0-13 Cooraclare B 1-06
Junior B Championship Round 3
Group 4 Smith O’Brien’s 3-10 Clarecastle 1-09