Crusheen tipped to retain title

Opinions are evenly divided on the  possible outcome of Sunday’s senior hurling final between Crusheen and Sixmilebridge.
Both sides go into the final undefeated, something very rare in the present format, which sees 20 teams play in four groups of five, from which two emerge from each group for the quarter-finals. Both sides have impressed so far and were on everyone’s shortlist for a final appearance from an early stage.
Winners of the title for the first time 12 months ago, Crusheen are attempting to do what many have failed to achieve in recent times, to retain the title.
Given their success at minor and U-21 levels, there is some surprise that Sixmilebridge haven’t been in the final of the county’s premier hurling competition for the past nine years. Now that they are back in the final, there is a strong belief among supporters that they can win the crown.
Crusheen have a very settled side, which should be an advantage, with their defence practically unchanged in the past couple of years.
However, how will they cope with a Sixmilebridge forward unit that is constantly inter-changing positions?
The challengers have run up some impressive tallies this season but now face, arguably, their stiffest test against the Dillon and Brigdale brothers and Ciarán O’Doherty.
Team captain, Niall Gilligan is a key figure in the ’Bridge attack, together with the Morey brothers, Declan and Danny, and their cousin, Caimin, as well as 17-year-old, Jamie Shanahan.
It remains to be seen if Tony Carmody will be in the starting line-up. He was introduced in the final quarter of their semi-final win over Cratloe and got on the scoresheet.
The Sixmilebridge management isn’t expected to make a final decision on who will play between the posts until later this week. Derek Fahy has returned to training having missed the semi-final win over Cratloe due to a facial injury sustained in the quarter-final against Inagh-Kilnamona. This opened the door for a return to action for veteran Davy Fitzgerald, now the Clare senior team manager.
Both Fitzgerald and Sixmilebridge team manager, Christy Chaplin made it clear that Fahy is the club goalkeeper and will be back in the side when he is fit again. Chaplin told The Clare Champion that a final decision will be made later this week. Fitzgerald picked up a wrist injury in the semi-final and is battling to be fit for the game. At the time of going to press, Fahy is understood to be winning his battle to be fit to play in his first senior final.
Crusheen’s line-up for the final is likely to be unchanged from the semi-final. Questions have been asked about their forward line but David Forde and Fergus Kennedy have been picking off some great scores this season, while Jamie Fitzgibbon has been in excellent form.
Team captain, Gerry O’Grady may not have scored too much in this campaign but he is an experienced player and tends to save his best form for big match days.
Although they have just one title to their name, this Crusheen side appears to have the edge on their final opponents in terms of experience, as the majority of the Sixmilebridge line-up will be appearing in a senior final for the first time.
Since making the breakthrough to win their first title in 1977, Sixmilebridge have been a force in Clare hurling and currently have 10 senior successes to their credit. They are very difficult to beat in a final and this will probably be a factor on Sunday.
Hunger is the best sauce and hunger for success on Sunday may be the key to victory. Will the title holders be able to match the hunger of the challengers or will Crusheen show they still have the desire to retain the title?
On paper, Sixmilebridge look to have the greater scoring threat but can they break down what all other clubs agree is the most settled backline in the championship?
In the belief that the Crusheen defence won’t give too much away, they get a hesitant vote to retain the Canon Hamilton Trophy on Sunday.