Sixmilebridge 1-19 v Clarecastle 0-11

The U16 hurlers of Sixmilebridge were crowned county champions thanks to a 1-19 to 0-11 victory over Clarecastle in a match that was played before the senior county final. The first game between these sides almost two weeks ago in Newmarket provided a thriller as a last minute goal gave Clarecastle a share of the spoils and another big attendance was there to witness some the county's most promising underage players battle it out. As expected this game producing some outstanding passages of hurling particularly in the first half where the "Bridge" went in at the interval two points to the good, 1-9 to 0-10. Clarecastle had one change from the first day out as Padjo Dolan came into the team in place of Aaron Greene. Sixmilebridge also had a few positional switches at the start with Mark Hehir going back corner back and Stephen Mulready reverting to corner forward with Brian Corry going wing. The first score of the game arrived after only thirty seconds as David Murphy got the "Bridge" off the mark. Further scores from Jamie Shanahan (65) and Conor Deasy (2) gave them a four-point lead after less than five minutes. Clarecastle were now starting to get into the game and had their just reward when Bobby Duggan sent over a free. A long distance free from Clare minor Jamie Shanahan restored the four-point lead before Stephen Ward sent over his first of the day. A Bobby Duggan free, this time from a 65, quickly cancelled out another Shanahan effort, as Clarecastle were starting to come into the game. The "Magpies" added further points from Padjo Dolan and a brilliant sideline cut from Stephen Ward to cut the deficit to one. Sixmilebridge's response was to send over two points on the trot from Paul Finnan and David Murphy to put a goal between the sides. Once again Clarecastle replied back with points from Dolan, Mikey Casey and Bobby Duggan to level the game after twenty-five minutes. The scores were not tied for much longer as Conor Deasy got in behind the Clarecastle defence to hit the back of the net. Clarecastle did have the final say of the first half when Bobby Duggan sent over a free as Sixmilebridge went at the break two points to the good. Both sides made a change at the break as Brian Corry and Michael Casey swapped points in the early stages of the second half. For the next ten minutes the "Bridge" were well on top with efforts from Brian Carey (2) and Jamie Shanahan (4) including a brilliant individual effort, as they gave their side a nine-point advantage. Bobby Duggan got the "Magpies" second score of the second half when he split the posts but the remaining quarter was all Sixmilebridge as Jamie Shanahan (2), Conor Deasy and Brian Corry split the posts to give them an eleven point victory. This win represent's an historic fourth U16 title on the trot for the "Bridge" and with it a third title for the likes of Jamie Shanahan, Brian Carey, John Mulready, Mark Hehir, Darragh McNamara, Dylan Fleming and Paul Finnan. While Clarecastle will be dissapointed a number of their players can look forward to the U15 county final in the coming weeks. After the match Sixmilebridge captain Jamie Shanahan accepted the Fr. McNamara Memorial cup in honour of the late Fr. Michael McNamara, which was presented to the county board by Wolfe Tones na Sionna.

Sixmilebridge: Gavin White, Stephen Mulready, Darragh McNamara, Barry Fitzpatrick, Kevin Fennessy, John Mulready, Dylan Fleming, Jamie Shanahan (C) (0-9; 5fs,2 '65's), Brian Carey (0-3), Mark Hehir, Alex Morey, David Murphy (0-2), Paul Finnan (0-1), Conor Deasy (1-3), Brian Corry (0-1).
Sub's: Shane McInerney for Mulready, Robbie Corry for Hehir (injury) and Tomas Sheehan for Finnan.

Clarecastle: Ben Moloney, Tommy Howard, Conor Clancy, Dylan Broderick, Pat Tuohy, Gearoid Ryan, Mark McGuane, Michael Casey (C) (0-2), John McInerney, Bobby Duggan (0-5; 3 fs), Stephen Ward (0-2; 1 sideline), Joe Barry, Padjo Dolan (0-2), Jack McDermott, Jonathan Griffey.
Sub's: Conor Galvin for Tuohy, Cian Crimmins for Galvin (injury) and Derek Casey for Griffey. Tweet

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