Ballyea and Sixmilebridge get set for another cracker

The drawn game was a cracker and it’s expected that there will be a big attendance at Clarecastle on Friday evening when Sixmilebridge and Ballyea renew rivalry in the semi-final of the U-21A Hurling championship.

When Rory Hickey sounded the final whistle three weeks ago, each side had 0-13 on the scoreboard with Seadna Morey firing over the equaliser for Sixmilebridge in injury time.

Morey and his fellow Clare senior team mate, Ballyea’s Tony Kelly who contributed 10 points, some of which were truly outstanding scores, shone in the drawn tie.

Both clubs are expected to name teams along similar lines for this week’s replay. The ’Bridge will again be without the services of Jamie Shanahan and Brian Corry, who aren’t expected to resume competitive hurling until late summer due to injury.

The ’Bridge had expressed concerns this week about the game going ahead this Friday, given the fact that two members of their team, Alex Morey and Conor Deasy, were due to play against Waterford.

They had sought a change of date but Ballyea informed the board they would not be able to play a week later. The final, against Clonlara, is scheduled for the May Bank Holiday weekend.

Tony Kelly, Paul Flanagan, Cathal Doohan, Jack Browne, Niall Deasy, Aonghus Keane and Gearóid O’Connell are key members of the Ballyea outfit. O’Connell hasn’t played in any of The Clare Champion Cup games since the drawn game but he is expected to be fit for Friday’s replay.

In addition to Seadna Morey, Sixmilebridge will be looking to Brian Carey, Pa Sheehan, Alan Mulready, Alex Morey and Conor Deasy to lead the way.

It promises to be another great contest and it won’t come as any surprise if extra time is required to produce a winner.