Canon Hamilton Cup holders Sixmilebridge have lost their opening game of the Clare SHC to Crusheen.

A Patrick O'Grady goal with just two minutes remaining handed the 2010 and 2011 champions a 1-18 to 0-18 victory in Cusack Park yesterday evening. Crusheen finished the first half strongly to lead by 0-14 to 0-9 at the break, but with Shane Golden to the fore, the 'Bridge rallied in the second half to go three points clear.

But John Carmody's Crusheen side had narrowed the gap to one before O'Grady's late strike tipped the balance.

In yesterday's other first round action, 2012 winners Newmarket registered an emphatic 4-16 to 0-10 victory over 14-man Tulla, Clonlara came from behind to beat Ballyea by 3-22 to 1-16, Eire Og defeated Whitegate by 0-21 to 0-18, while Cratloe opened their campaign with a 6-15 to 1-16 demolition of Kilmaley.

Cusack Park hosts its second double-header of the weekend this afternoon when Clooney-Quin clash with Inagh-Kilnamona and Tubber and Clarecastle face off. In the senior 'B' championship, Ruan meet Wolfe Tones in Clarecastle, and Broadford and St. Joseph's Doora-Barefield cross swords in Shannon. Tweet

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