This article is from page 65 of the 2011-12-13 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 65 JPG
THE AGM of Sixmilebridge GAA club took place at the clubhouse meeting room last Wednesday evening. In what was a sizeable attendance, all those present reviewed the past year which saw the Under 21 title return to the parish and the seniors qualify for a first county final in nine years.
Those in attendance received a comprehensive and very well structured review of the past year’s activities by joint Secretary Louise Corbett. She also paid tribute to all those who helped throughout the year and congratulated the minor club on their success, the Under 21 winning team and the seniors on reaching the county final.
Club members who featured on the Clare minor and intermediate winning teams were also congratulated. Best wishes were extended to clubmen David Fitzgerald (Clare senior hurling) and Eamon Fennessy (Clare minor hurling) on their managerial appointments while another clubman Sean Stack was congratulated on leading Na Piarsaigh to the Limerick and Munster titles. A minute’s silence was held in memory of all those who passed away in the parish and club in 2011 including club stalwarts Noel Murphy, Fr. Hugh O’Dowd and Theresa Quinn.
Treasurer Joan Keogh, in her first year at the helm, gave an in-depth breakdown on the financial side of things. The meeting also heard from club Development Chairman, Paddy Meehan, who informed those in attendance that the ambitious club development is now complete.
Club Chairman, P. J. Fitzpatrick, then gave his end of year report and thanked all involved with the club for their help over the past year. After his report he informed the meeting that he would be stepping down from his position after three years in the throne. Many tributes were paid to the outgoing Chairman from the floor for his tremendous work during his term and indeed in the years gone by. Another outgoing officer, Sean Griffin, was thanked for his trojan and dedicated work over the last number of years with co-ordinating the club lotto.
On the night Paddy Meehan was reappointed as Under 21 manager. He will again have Niall Gilligan, John O’Meara Jnr and Leo Quinlan on his management team as they bid to retain the Under 21 A crown in 2012.
A reconvened AGM will take place on Sunday, January 8 at 3 pm. This meeting will elect club officers and team management for 2012. THURSDAY NIGHTS Galway card was an all graded eight race programme with heats of various Christmas Stakes the order of the night The opening three contests were the three semi finals of the Xmas Parties S7 Sprint Stake and in the opening heat both Black Dragon(T1) and Ollys Molly(T6) were away well and they disputed the lead ahead of Manus Fantastic(T2) approaching the opening bend. Rounding the bend Manus Fantastic carried his rivals wide which allowed the Robert Carkhill & James Browne of Ennis owned trap five runner Elwick Ragtag(Head BoundRaggletagglrosie) to sweep through and score by 2&1/4 lengths in 19.86 The concluding heat sawthe Martin Keane of Kilmihil owned debutant Joinedupthinking(T3) register a fine debut success as after striking the front rounding the opening bend the son of Royal Imapact & FaceValue powered clear of his toiling rivals to record a 12&1/4 length success in 19.42. Reneharney Crash(T6) had led the field in the early stages but once Joinedupthinking sorted himself out there was only ever going to be one winner. In race 7 Keane was on the mark once again in this A4 graded 525 yard contest as his Clapton Master(Royal Impact-FaceValue) recorded his maiden career success by 4&1/4 lengths over Wood Crash(T6) in 29.51. Fromtraps Blackstormlady(T5) was smartly away but she was outpaced by the black jacketed Clapton Master on the run up. Kicking clear turning down the back the winner had his rivals in big trouble passing halfway
and although tiring close home he scored with plenty in hand. Race 4 was an A8 graded affair and as they raced towards the opening bend Susie Longsoxs(T2) and Lurgan Drifter(T6) raced neck and and neck before the latter took a definite advantage rounding the bend despite moving wide on the track. Racing down the far side Lurgan Drifter led by two lengths fromthe improving Jacksies Maeve(T4). With the leader again moving wide off the home bend the Martin Sexton of Miltown Malbay owned Jacksies Maeve(Ballymac Maeve-Jacksies Nicki) slipped through on the rail to score by half a length in 30.03. All six runners were away pretty much on terms in race 5 for this A4 graded 525 yarder with the red jacketed Sues Princess just showing the best early toe to lead round by a length fromDromoher Snoopy(T2). Racing down the back the order remained unchanged as the Johnny &Aoife Burke of Tubber owned Sues Princess maintained the tempo out front and the daughter of Head Bound & Boozed Lorraine gamely held her rival at bay by a head in 29.70. Races 7 & 8 on Friday nights card were heats of the Race Dogs A5 Stake and as the closely bunched field approached the opening bend in the first heat Clairwell Jewell(T3) and Manus Snowdrop(T4) just shaded their rivals with Slim Away(T1) and Contentious(T2) just in behind themas they turned down the far side. Racing past halfway Clairwell Jewell held the call but all the while theThomas Flanagan of Ennistymon owned Contentious was getting closer with every stride and striking the front turning for home the daughter of Droopys Kewell and Coldwar Baby scored by 3&1/4 lengths in 29.84. In the second semi final the Michael Costello & Douglas Culligan of Ballyvaughan owned Pinnacle Roxy(T3) was very smartly away fromtraps and the daughter of Boherduff Light & Coldwar Baby quickly opened up a three length lead on her rivals rounding the opening bend. Racing down the far side Pinnacle Roxy was clear of Willbrook Queen(T6) but fromthe third bend the gap began to close as Pinnacle Roxy began to tire in front but she summoned enough courage to last home by half a length in 29.57. Races 2-5 were all heats of an S5 Sprint Stake and in the opening heat Capuka(T2) was first to emerge but as the runners raced towards the opening bend the Ger Manley of Cratloe owned Confused Mark(T1) showed pace along the rail to take command approaching the opening bend. Despite running slightly wide on the crown of the home bend the son of Galway Mark & Confused Shasa stayed on well to defeat Willrose Junior(T6) by 1&1/4 lengths in 19.62. In heat three both Loyal Sue(T1) and Mythical Tar(T3) were both away quite well and the raced stride for stride to the opening bend two lengths clear of MissThe Sunset(T6).As the leaders rounded the bend the John Keane & Frank White of Ennis owned Mythical Tar cut to the rail and the son of Boherduff Light and Coldwar Baby quickly settled the contest as he drewaway to score by 4&1/4 lengths in 19.35.