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Getting a grip on the Canon Hamilton Cup is the top prize in Clare hurling

Clare SHC Semi-Final Preview: Sixmilebridge Manager Tim Crowe

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There are few hurling men in Clare as astute or experienced as Tim Crowe, so it is a given that Sixmilerbridge are going to be prepared and grounded for their shot at making it back to back Clare senior hurling final appearances.

The last time the Bridge achieved that goal was in 2001, while 1993 was the last time they successfully defended the Canon Hamilton.

Crowe outlined that the competitive nature of the championship in Clare means that putting titles back to back is a hugely challenging task.

“We are delighted to be still in with chance of doing that, and it is something we have not managed in close to 30 years. It is a big task to defend the title in Clare, and only Crusheen have done it over that 30 year period. It is a big challenge, but one that we are prepared to take on and see where it takes us” he noted.

Sixmilebridge will be facing a familiar opponent this weekend, having edged through a tight battle with Eire Óg in the opening round this year. They followed that up with wins over Whitegate and Broadford to reach this stage, but Crowe is hopeful there is more improvement to come.

“The Eire Óg game was really nip and tuck that first day, and I felt that Broadford and Whitegate really played well against us because they are two proud clubs. I think it was their attitude of really having a go against us, which was superb to see, that really questioned our form in terms of retaining our championship. They really raised their game to take us on and they played really well. As for how good we really are, I think we will know an awful lot more on Saturday” he predicted.

Sixmilebridge have been the most successful club in Clare hurling over the last decade, with titles wins in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019. Despite that, Crowe feels that the real test of a team is in putting titles back to back.

“We would hope that there is more in us but you just don’t know when you are trying to defend your title. It is a very difficult task and that 5% extra you had in trying to win a championship can often disappear when you are trying to defend it. It is just not in hurling, that is true for sport in general. I would have a view that unless you defend your championship, you should not really be called champions. It is possible to win a championship but to take the pressure of defending it is a real test of champions, and few enough teams or individuals in sport can achieve putting titles back to back” he noted.

Saturday’s tie will be the third meeting between the sides in the championship over the last 12 months, with the Bridge also coming out on top when they clashed at the quarter-final stage in 2019. Crowe feels their task will be much tougher in light of those previous tussles.

“The one game I did not want to play again was Eire Óg because it so difficult to beat a team a second time. I think Tulla found that out in the intermediate championship against Scariff this year too. It is the third time in the last 12 months to meet them in the championship so that does make it any easier” he warned.

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