[ad_1]
Sixmilebridge 0-20
O’Callaghan Mills 0-12
Sixmilebridge completed an unprecedented fifth Clare Senior Hurling crown in eight years after keeping neighboring O’Callaghan’s Mills at arm’s length in Cusack Park, Ennis.
While it was Bridge’s 15th title win since 1977, more significantly Sunday’s success ensured the club’s most fruitful period, with biennial victories in 2013, ’15, ’17 and ’19 eventually outstripped by only second title retention. in its history. .
Surprisingly, Sixmilebridge reached its last pinnacle without scoring a single goal in the condensed five-game series.
It was at the other extreme, however, that the lack of goals proved decisive, as O’Callaghan’s Mills’ path to a first county final in 27 years was highlighted by an average of two goals, but the Fireballs were prevented. crucially replicating that form in the final. decisive.
The Bridge’s vastly superior experience also spoke volumes in terms of safety and decision-making, as once he struck the front in the sixth minute through man of the match Cathal Malone amid an unanswered four-point rally, the champions defenders would never be caught.
Try as they might, the Mills couldn’t find the spark that got them to this lofty stage, for, aside from the sharp-edged shooter Colin Crehan, who attacked for five points in the first half, one always felt the newcomers they needed a goal to ask. any serious questions from the headlines.
Rather, all went as usual for a well-oiled Bridge machine as Alex Morey’s infallible free-take was allied with a points hat-trick for Cathal Malone and Brian Corry propelled his team to a half of 0 -13 to 0-07. -time advantage.
The Mills regrouped and armed for the new half, but successive points from Sean Cotter (2) and Aidan Fawl were tied for wide 0-13 to 0-10 in the 35th minute.
Having weathered the inevitable storm, Sixmilebridge quickly regained full control as six different scorers contributed to a triumphant finish that saw the champions overtake their increasingly desperate neighbors 0-07-0-02 in the final 20 minutes.
It was Sixmilebridge’s first successful title defense in 27 years, with its first consecutive milestone in 1993 also ironically at the expense of O’Callaghan’s Mills when current coach Davy Fitzgerald scored the goals for his third of six county medals.
The current vintage now has five titles under its belt and in an era where the race for the Canon Hamilton Cup has yielded ten different winners in 17 years, it is an achievement that simply should be applauded.
Sixmilebridge: Derek Fahy; Brian Carey, Noel Purcell, Barry Fitzpatrick; Pa Mulready, Seadna Morey (0-01), Caimin Morey; Jamie Shanahan (0-02), Jason Loughnane; Páidí Fitzpatrick, Cathal Malone (0-04), Alan Mulready (0-02); Brian Corry (0-03), Shane Golden (0-01), Alex Morey (0-06, 0-06f).
Subs: Conor Deasy (0-01) by Loughnane (49), Rory Shanahan by A. Mulready (58).
O’Callaghan Mills: Killian Nugent; Mike Cotter, Conor Cooney, Gerry Cooney; Patrick Donnellan, Aidan O’Gorman, Niall Donovan; Ciarán Cooney, Conor Henry; Jacob Loughnane (0-01, 0-01f), Bryan Donnellan, Aidan Fawl (0-02); Gary Cooney (0-02), Sean Cotter (0-02), Colin Crehan (0-05, 0-03f).
Subs: Sean O’Gorman for Donovan (49), Cormac Murphy for B. Donnellan (53), Mike McGrath for Ciaran Cooney (55).
Referee: Rory McGann (Newmarket-on-Fergus).
[ad_2]