This article is from page 64 of the 2011-10-18 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 64 JPG
Sixmilebridge 2-15 – Clonlara 1-13 at Knockalisheen Park, Meelick
SIXMILEBRIDGE qualified for their fourth successive minor final on Saturday after eventually seeing off a stubborn Clonlara side. Don’t be misled, they were ahead from start to finish and after building up a 2-6 to 0-2 advantage with the aid of the breeze by the 24th minute, Clonlara would never get to within four points of the winners but equally had the underdogs taken their goal chances, this game might have developed in a different path.
The Bridge deserved their victory though, mainly because they had the better balance overall with Brian Carey keeping a watchful eye on Cathal O’Connell, Dylan Fleming also rising to the occasion while county minors Jamie Shanahan, Seadna Morey and Alan Mulready controlled the attacking sector, aided intermittently by Brian Corry and Conor Deasy.
Clonlara too depended on their Munster minor winners for inspiration, with Colm Galvin, Cathal O’Connell and Shane and Oisin O’Brien to the fore but they didn’t have enough strength on the flanks to keep Sixmilebridge on their toes.
The Bridge started in impressive fashion, picking off the first four points of the game in as many minutes through Jamie Shanahan (2), Seadna Morey and Brian Corry. Clonlara finally settled with a brace of their own courtesy of Oisin O’Brien and Tots O’Connell but they were to be the exception to the rule as the Bridge hit the front once more.
They cemented their authority with two quickfire goals from Seadna Morey, who completed a flowing move in the 20th minute, followed soon afterwards by a superb solo goal from Conor Deasy who arrowed an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper Ryan Morris from 30 metres.
Clonlara did recover briefly to cut the deficit to nine by the break at 28 to 0-5 but Sixmilebridge still ap- peared more than comfortable at that stage, despite hitting ten first half wides.
Their supporters did begin to shift nervously as the second half developed as a momentum filled Clonlara hit the first five points of the half to slash the lead to just four. But they required a goal to really make the ‘Bridge anxious.
That chance fell to Cathal O’Connell in the 40th minute but his effort was crucially saved by Pa Freeman while Tom O’Neill also hit the side-netting soon afterwards.
In all, Clonlara would hit seven second half wides and you would have to feel that they needed a near perfect strikerate if they were to upset the favourites.
Instead, Sixmilebridge got themselves off the ropes and with Alan Mulready coming into the game at centre-forward and Jamie Shanahan converting frees, they soon reopened an eight point advantage by the hour mark.
Oisin O’Brien did wreck Sixmilebridge’s hopes of a clean sheet in the 61st minute but it was to be the last puck of the game as the ‘Bridge set up an expected final showdown with Ballyea.
This game should stand to the Bridge as they line up the Ballyea boys in what should be a very hotly contested final. Of course minors like Jamie Shanahan and Seadna Morey will have another county final to think of before knuckling down to concentrate on the U-18 decider.
Sixmilebridge
Pa Freeman, Brian Carey (0-2), Darragh McNamara, Evan McInerney, Eoin Hogan, Conlith Agnew, Dylan Fleming, Seadna Morey (Capt.) (1-1), John Mulready,Alex Morey, Jamie Shanahan (left) (0-7f), Brian Corry (0-2), Sean Lynch,Alan Mulready (0-2), Conor Deasy (1-1)
Subs
Darragh Fitzgerald for Ltnch (41 mins)