All to do again in U-16A final

Sixmilebridge 3-11
Clarecastle 3-11
Sixmilebridge and Clarecastle will have to do it all again after they ended level in a very entertaining U-16A hurling championship final played at Newmarket on Sunday.

Sixmilebridge looked to have the title secured in the early stages but a strong fightback from Clarecastle earned them a second chance and few will quibble with this result.
Inter-county minor star Jamie Shanahan set the tone with two early points for the ’Bridge and he went on to give a man-of-the-match performance, finishing the game with 1-7 to his credit.
Bobby Duggan struck for a brace to level the game before Alex Morey and Duggan exchanged scores to leave the sides deadlocked.
Jamie Shanahan broke this impasse with the lead point for the ’Bridge before a stunning goal by Duggan, following a pass from Clarecastle centre-back Gearóid Ryan surged Clarecastle two clear.
The tempo of the game was increasing with every attack and the skill levels of both sides suggest that the upcoming minor county management will have material to work with. Mark Hehir and Jonathan Griffey exchanged scores before Jamie Shanahan’s strike from a long-range effort went all the way to the Clarecastle net. The goal put the ’Bridge back in front by the minimum margin.
An effort at goal by Shanahan from a close-range free was saved on the line by Mark McGuane. Brian Carey sent Sixmilebridge two clear before Clarecastle goalkeeper Ben Moloney had to be alert to deny Brian Corry and Mark Hehir in rapid succession. The final score of the first half fell to Clarecastle corner-forward Jonathan Griffey, leaving Sixmilebridge leading by the minimum, 1-6 to 1-5, at the break.
Eight minutes into the new half and it appeared game, set and match to Sixmilebridge. Shanahan (point) and a goal apiece from David Murphy and Paul Finnan put them 3-7 to 1-5 ahead.
Jonathan Griffey scored a fine effort before Aaron Greene won a penalty that was blasted to the net by Michael Casey. It was tit for tat for the next 15 minutes as the intensity of exchanges kept the large crowd enthralled. Bobby Duggan (2), Casey (2) and Jake McDermott were on target for the Magpies as Brian Corry and Shanahan (3), now at full-forward, replied for Sixmilebridge to leave the reigning champions a goal clear, 3-11 to 2-11, entering injury time.
Clarecastle launched one last-gasp attack. Jonathan Griffey’s effort for a score was blocked and cannoned into the air and Jake McDermott batted the dropping ball into the net, much to the delight of the Clarecastle support.
Best for Clarecastle were Conor Clancy, Gearóid Ryan, Mickey Casey, Bobby Duggan, Stephen Ward, Jonathan Griffey and Mark McGuane.
Sixmilebridge had solid displays from Darragh McNamara, Jamie Shanahan, Mark Hehir, Brian Carey, Alex Morey, Brian Corry, Kevin Fennessy and Paul Finnan.

Clarecastle: Ben Moloney; Tommy Howard, Conor Clancy, Dylan Broderick; Pat Touhy, Gearóid Ryan, Mark McGuane; Mickey Casey (capt, 1-2), John McInerney; Bobby Duggan (1-5), Stephen Ward, Joe Barry; Aaron Greene, Jack McDermott (1-1), Jonathan Griffey (0-3).
Subs: Pajo Dolan for P Touhy; Derek Casey for Greene.
Sixmilebridge: Gavin Whyte; Stephen Mulready, Darragh McNamara, Barry Fitzpatrick; Kevin Fennessy, John Mulready, Dylan Fleming; Jamie Shanahan (capt, 1-7), Brian Carey (0-1); Mark Hehir (0-1), Alex Morey(0-1), David Murphy (1-0); Brian Corry (0-1), Conor Deasy, Paul Finnan (1-0).
Sub: Shane McInerney for S Mulready.
Referee: Michael Troy (Broadford).