Magpies’ determination too much for the ’Bridge

Clarecastle 3-17   Sixmilebridge 1-11

FOR much of the Clarecastle-Sixmilebridge game on Saturday evening, a share of the spoils looked the likely outcome. The teams were level on 10 occasions over the hour but when the final whistle sounded, the Magpies were deserving of the points as they had shown the greater hunger for victory.

Clarecastle held a one-point lead at half-time after the sides had been level on five occasions. The pattern was the same in the second half and they were still level at the three-quarter stage.

Two minutes later, the game’s first goal came and, at the time, it looked like it might be the decisive score. As Clarecastle battled to clear their lines, corner-back Kevin Clohessy was unlucky when the sliotar slipped from his grasp and over the goal line as he looked to be emerging to make a clearance.

It was at this time that the winners’ determination really shone through and they battled back strongly. Points from Conor O’Gorman and Bobby Duggan had the sides level for the 10th and final time with two minutes to play.

Minor player Duggan put his side back in front a minute later and victory was sealed in the final minute of normal time. Derek Quinn had just been introduced for Conor Plunkett and, with his first touch, he scored his side’s goal.

Much of the credit must go to corner-back Gearóid Ryan, who won possession on his own 45’ near the sideline. He soloed to the opposing 45’ before shooting goalwards. The ball looked to be heading wide but Quinn gave chase and managed to flick the ball past Derek Fahy in the Sixmilebridge nets to the delight of the Clarecastle following.

The sides were locked at 0-5 each when the first goal opportunity came but Derek Fahy saved well from Bobby Duggan. Early in the second half, Jamie Coughlan in the Clarecastle goal made an excellent save from Danny Morey. Ten minutes from the end, Fahy was alert to save from Michael Casey while, two minutes later, Conor Plunkett’s first-time effort missed the target.

The absence of the injured Niall Gilligan was certainly a blow to Sixmilebridge, while Seadna Morey, who had his elbow heavily strapped, looked to be struggling because of this.

Long-serving Eric Flynn was a tower of strength at centre-back for the winners on a day when Jamie Coughlan, Gearóid Ryan, Kevin Clohessy, Danny Scanlan and Bobby Duggan played key roles.
For the Bridge, Paidi Fitzpatrick, Seadna Morey and Alan Mulready did best.

This fixture doubled up as a Clare Champion Cup league fixture and the result has moved Clarecastle away from the relegation area.

Clarecastle: Jamie Coughlan; Gearóid Ryan, Stephen O’Halloran, Kevin Clohessy; Seanie Moloney, Eric Flynn, Patrick Kelly; Jonathon Clancy, Danny Scanlan; Bobby Duggan, Conor Plunkett, Mark McGuane; Stephen Ward, Michael Casey, Conor O’Gorman.
Subs: Derek Quinn for Plunkett (59 minutes).
Scorers: Bobby Duggan (0-8, 5f), Derek Quinn (1-0), Conor Plunkett, Mark McGuane (0-2 each), Patrick Kelly, Conor O’Gorman and Stephen Ward (0-1 each).
Frees for: 10, wides: 10, 65s: 1.
Bookings: Bobby Duggan (31 minutes); Danny Scanlan (61 minutes).
Sixmilebridge: Derek Fahy; Brian Carey, Páidí Fitzpatrick, Tadhg Keogh; Sam O’Sullivan, Caimin Morey, Noel Purcell; Shane Golden, Seadna Morey; Rory Shanahan, Alan Mulready, Alex Morey; Kevin Lynch, Danny Morey, Pa Sheehan.
Subs: Declan Morey for Shanahan (39 minutes) and Trevor Purcell for Lynch (45 minutes).
Scorers: Alan Mulready (0-4), Alex Morey (frees), Danny Morey (0-2 each); Caimin Morey (free), Shane Golden, Seadna Morey (0-1 each) and OG (1-0).
Frees for: 10, wides: 7.
Bookings: Rory Shanahan (37 minutes).
Referee: Ambrose Heagney, Corofin.