Four-goal Corry puts ’Bridge into A final

Sixmilebridge 4-7
Clarecastle 0-15

Four goals from Brian Corry helped the ‘Bridge reach their fifth consecutive U-16A final when they beat Clarecastle on Sunday at Newmarket. Starting the game at midfield, it was a switch to the full-forward line that really ignited the youngster.
Much credit must go to the rest of the Sixmilebridge team also, particularly the defence, who withstood an increasingly pressing Clarecastle fightback in the second half and held firm.
Playing with the very strong wind in their favour the ’Bridge led by three after eight minutes with points from Brian Corry, Conor Deasy and a long-range free from centre-back Alex Morey. However, despite the elements, Clarecastle were coping well, especially Conor Galvin, who had a great game throughout at wing-back along with Mark McGuane at centreback and Joe Barry in midfield.
Bobby Duggan opened the Magpies’ account in the 14th minute with a pointed free but further points by Morey and Deasy, with a reply from PJ Dolan, left the scores 0-5 to 0-2 after 23 minutes. With half-time approaching, it was looking good for Clarecastle. However, it all changed in a minute. In the 27th minute a hesitant defence failed to clear their lines, allowing Corry to gain possession, and he struck a powerful shot to the roof of the Magpies’ net. Seconds later, he latched on to a sideline ball and drilled the sliotar low into the corner, giving Jake Kearney no chance, to leave the halftime score 2-5 to 0-2.
Clarecastle, aided by the elements, started the second half brightly, Bobby Duggan, in his first game after returning from injury, was much more involved and they opened the scoring with points from Ben Moloney and two Duggan frees.
However, Corry’s third goal in the 35th minute was a major blow to the Magpies but they did respond quickly with points from Stephen Ward, Mark McGuane and a Duggan free. They had the deficit cut to four points by the 47th minute, 3-6 to 0-11, with further points from Duggan and Seanie Lynch in reply to a Gavin White point.
However, their failure to create any worthwhile goal chance was ultimately their downfall. Alex Morey and Stephen Mulready held the upper hand in the ’Bridge’s defence and they also dominated in midfield, where Conor Deasy and Gavin White controlled affairs.
The game was finally put beyond their reach in the 55th minute when Corry scored his fourth goal, batting in a rebound following a Jake Kearney save. The Magpies battled bravely to the end with four Duggan points, three from frees, but, on a day, they had to give second best to a superior ’Bridge team.
Best for the ‘Bridge were Mark Quinn, the dominant Alex Morey, Stephen Mulready, Gavin Whyte, Kevin Fennessy, Conor Deasy and Brian Corry.

Sixmilebridge: Jason Loughnane; Mark Quinn, Barry Fitzpatrick, Cathaoir Agnew; Shane McInerney, Alex Morey (0-2f), Stephen Mulready; Gavin Whyte (0-1), Brian Corry (4-1); Eóin Flynn, Eóin McMahon, Conor Deasy (0-3, 2f); Tony McInerney, Kevin Fennessy, Robbie Corry.
Clarecastle: Jake Kearney; Brian Gilroy, Dylan Broderick, Cian Crimmins; Pat Tuohy, Mark McGuane, (0-1), Conor Galvin; Joe Barry, Bobby Duggan, (0-10, 7f); Seanie Lynch, (0-1), PJ Dolan (0-1), Jake Barnes; Paul Dolan, Stephen Ward (0-1), Ben Moloney (0-1).
Subs: Adam Crowe for PJ Dolan.