This article is from page 69 of the 2011-07-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 69 JPG
Clarecastle 4-11 – Sixmilebridge 1-11 at O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge
AT THE beginning of this year’s championship, one would have predicted that these two teams would be in the shake-up come the knockout stages given the fact that both contested last year’s Under 16 final (which the ‘Bridge won in a replay) and both have the shared the corresponding U14 and U15 championships at this age. This prediction was given further credence upon viewing this Sunday morning clash as both teams contributed to an entertaining game of hurling in which the visitors ran out impressive nine point winners.
A nervous start from both sides was illustrated when a Robby Corry effort from out the field was spilled by the Clarecastle goalkeeper and fullforward Gavin Whyte was on hand to finish the rebound straight to the back of the net to give the ‘Bridge the best possible start inside two minutes. Merely a minute later, Clarecastle midfielder Bobby Duggan settled the visitors by landing a 65’ between the posts. Duggan was to go on to have a huge say on this game as his ability to influence the game at the most critical of times was of great benefit to his team’s overall performance. Duggan added another free in the eighth minute from 20 metres as Clarecastle started to come more in to the game and this was highlighted by another superb Duggan score from play as he left the ‘Bridge defence in his wake. Conor Deasy and Alex Morey traded successful frees for the home side midway through the first half before Clarecastle really established their foothold on this game and gained a lead that they would never relinquish. Firstly, a fine move involving influential centre-back Mark McGuane resulted in a fine score from play from centre-forward Pajoe Dolan before good work from the Magpie’s inside line resulted in a penalty which Duggan duly obliged in blasting straight down the middle to give his side a two point lead.
From here on, the visitors were in total control as Duggan supplied an excellent score over his right shoulder in the 19th minute before cornerforward, Seánie Lynch, pulled first time to the back of the net a minute later after the initial effort had been expertly saved by Jason Loughnane in the ‘Bridge goal. Conor Deasy and Stephen Mulready did manage to add two further scores for the home side in the closing minutes of the half with the latter providing a sublime effort from the sideline. However, this was all in vain as Pajoe Dolan’s seemingly tame effort skidded along the surface and into the net to give the visitors a seven point cushion at the break.
Conor Deasy led a mini revival for the ‘Bridge in the opening ten minutes of the second half with three unanswered points while Barry Fit- zpatrick was also doing very well at full-back. However, Duggan was to the fore again with a free from halfway to restore the Maggie’s cushion. Gavin Whyte was beginning to exert a big influence upon his switch to midfield as he scored two fine points on the trot at the three quarter stage of the game to leave just three points between the sides once again. Duggan stepped up to the mark again with another excellent score from play in the 47th minute before adding another free four minutes later. The game was effectively killed off with nine minutes to go as Clarecastle full-forward, Derek Casey, provided a devastating finish to the bottom left corner. With Clarecastle now in full control, Duggan treated the crowd to probably the score of the day with a flawless effort off the hurley from the sideline. Deasy and Eóin Flynn provided late consolation points for the home side before Duggan rounded off a superb individual performance with another score from play in injury time. On evidence from this game, Clarecastle appear to be a team in form while the ‘Bridge have a lot of work to do if they intend on holding on their crown as Under 16 champions.
Clarecastle
Jake Kearney, Cian Crimmins, Dylan Broderick, Brian Gilroy, Pat Tuohy, Mark McGuane, Joe Barry, Bobby Duggan (1-9 3f, 1-0 Pen, 1’65), Paul Dolan, StephenWard (0-1), Pajoe Dolan (1-1), Jake Barnes, Seanie Lynch (1-0), Derek Casey (1-0), Ben Moloney (0-1)
Subs
AdamCrowe
Sixmilebridge
Jason Loughnane, Shane McInerney, Barry Fitzpatrick, Cathaoir Agnew, Kevin Fennessy,Alex Morey (0-1, 65’), Stephen Mulready (0-1), Robby Corry, Conor Deasy (0-6, 5f),Tony Fitzpatrick, Brian Corry, Eóin McMahon,Tomás Sheehan, GavinWhyte (1-2), Eóin Flynn (0-1)
Subs
Cathal Lynch, Pa Mulready, Conor Cahill
Referee
Neil O’Brien (O’Callaghan’s Mills)