This article is from page 36 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 36 JPG
WHEN THE betting Gods, or indeed odds, smile down upon you, it would be remiss of anyone to anger them. In a similar position last year, this reporter punted for Crusheen from the outset, sensing the unfulfilled potential that duly came to the surface as the year progressed. So when weighing up this year’s crown, the abilities of the respective candidates and the recent upredictability of the championship in recent years ahead of this year’s race, much introspection led to a change of horses to an up-and-coming ‘Bridge side that had progressed steadily in winning a Clare Cup and Under 21A crowns in the previous six months.
Now it must be made clear in Sixmilebridge’s subsequent run to the final that this hurler on the ditch is not in any way claiming to knowit-all when it comes to hurling. Nothing could be further from the truth in fact. It is only mentioned as an aside in not wanting to jump ship ahead of Sunday’s decider.
After all, it wasn’t as if Sixmilebridge were rank outsiders, they were championship favourites even before a ball was pucked in the championship and that included the defending champions.
Like any championship though, there is also a large slice of luck involved in winning it outright. How each of the respective sides would have fared had their first round escapes failed to materialise could be debated endlessly as Clarecastle and Kilmaley should perhaps have taken their chances against Sixmilebridge and Crusheen respectively.
They are all whimsical if’s however as the saying goes ‘if my aunt had dangly bits, she’d be my uncle.’ The fact remains that both sides survived that day and haven’t looked back since, with Sixmilebridge and Crusheen comfortably easing through the remainder of the group and in the latter’s case, through the business end of the campaign as well with the minimum of fuss.
Sixmilebridge on the other hand, Dona l Tuohy Only 22 but the shotstopper already has a wealth of experience behind him. An All-Ireland Under 21 title tops the bill but he has also played championship for the county seniors. He is vital to Crusheen’s cause, has only conceded four goals so far and has kept successive clean sheets in the knock-out stages. Another one in the final would go a long way to retaining the title. Crusheen 8 Cr ona n Dillon V Nia ll Gilliga n A veteran duel that could well decide the outcome of this final. Gilligan is the Bridge’s undoubted leader, with his strength and guile difficult to stop. The eldest of the Dillon’s has buckets of experience though and will relish the challenge. Crusheen 7 Sixmilebridge 9 Paddy Vaugha n V Sha ne Golden Another crucial match-up, simply because both are
the engine rooms for their
respective sides. Vaughan is Crusheen’s top scorer
and freetaker and while he has been troubled by injuries, he is invaluable to
their cause. Golden is one
of the best up-and-coming talents in the county, has
ten points to his name and will relish taking on the county captain. Crusheen 9 Sixmilebridge 8 J oe Mea ney V Tony Ca r mody Pa Sheehan started in the midfield berth for
Sixmilebridge in the semifinal but a fit again Tony Carmody might just get
the nod, mainly due to his wealth of exprience. The All-Ireland intermediate
captain has settled in well
with his new club and will hope to get the better of Meaney who has finally filled the troublesome midfield spot to partner Paddy Vaughan. Crusheen 7 Sixmilebridge 8 J ohn Br igda le V Ca imin Mor ey All-Ireland Under 21 winner Morey hasn’t hit top gear yet but there were signs against Cratloe that is approaching his devastating best. Has the capability to win a game on his own but won’t get anything easy from Brigdale. Crusheen 7 Sixmilebridge 8 Ala n Br igda le V Da nny Mor ey Could be the headto-head battle of the game as these folically challenged livewires face off. Morey is the ‘Bridge’s top scorer from play with 4-10 while Brigdale is probably playing his best hurling at the moment. Crusheen 8 Sixmilebridge 8 Cia n Dillon V Ror y Sha na ha n The youngest of the Dillon brothers in the side is also the most vital to their prospects. Man-of-thematch in last year’s final, he will find Shanahan difficult to mark though. And if Shanahan can break even with him, it could well be enough. Crusheen 9 Sixmilebridge 7 Cia r a n O’Doher t y V Decla n Mor ey O’Doherty is an important part of Crusheen’s lauded half-back line but he will need to keep an eye on Morey who grabbed 1-2 in the semi-final. The Bridgeman has an eye for goal and his mazy solo runs could cause O’Doherty some concern. Crusheen 7 Sixmilebridge 7 Cat ha l Dillon V J a mie Sha na ha n Dillon is a talisman for Crusheen and invariably when he is going well, so do his side. He should have the strength and aerial dominance here but Shanahan is arguably Clare’s best prospect and on form, can do a lot of damage, despite his relative inexperience at this level. Crusheen 8 Sixmilebridge 8 Nia ll Gr iffin Michael Liddy Colm O’Connor
(Cha ir ma n) Michael Br owne (Ma nager ) Eddie Fit zgibbon by Eoin Bren n an Ma nagement