Morey’s goal proves crucial for the ’Bridge

Sixmilebridge 1-17 Cratloe 1-13

IN what was, arguably, the most entertaining game in the 2011 Clare Senior Hurling Championship to date, Sixmilebridge maintained the upperhand on neighbours and great rivals Cratloe when the sides clashed in the first of the semi-finals at Cusack Park on Saturday evening.
An injury-time goal at the end of the opening half had a huge bearing on the outcome. Cratloe had the better of matters in the second quarter and they were four points in front when the ’Bridge struck a vital blow.
Following a great interception by team captain, Barry Duggan, Cratloe looked to have the danger cleared but lost possession and Declan Morey blasted the ball to the net. The Cratloe men were still in front but as they made their way to the dressing room they were clearly rattled, whereas their neighbours were upbeat.
In the second half the winners appeared to play with more confidence and once they took the lead, Cratloe were never able to get back on terms.
With Barry O’Connor and Derek Fahy both out due to injury, Sixmilebridge were forced to make some changes. Davy Fitzgerald returned to goalkeeping duties after a lapse of almost four years. In a defensive reshuffle, Paidi Fitzpatrick moved to full-back, with Aidan Quilligan going to the corner to the exclusion of Paul Fitzpatrick.
John Fennessy switched from midfield to wing-back in place of O’Connor, while Seadna Morey took over at centre-back. Pa Sheehan was in the starting line-up at midfield in place of Fennessy. Up front, Declan Morey was at wing-forward following Seadna’s switch to defence, while Rory Shanahan started at centre-forward, ahead of Tony Carmody.
The teams were level on three occasions in the opening 10 minutes, at which stage the score was 0-4 each. The game’s opening goal came two minutes later when Conor McGrath reacted quickest when he flicked an Ógie Murphy delivery past Davy Fitzgerald, who had remained on his line. A brace of points from Sean Collins followed, helping Cratloe to a five-point lead at the midpoint of the opening half.
A clash between Davy Fitzgerald and Conor McGrath resulted in both being yellow carded two minutes later. Points continued to be exchanged and as half-time approached, Cratloe were four clear, 1-9 to 0-8. They should have held this advantage to the break but a mistake in defence resulted in possession for Declan Morey in the first minute of injury time and he blasted to the net for what proved to be a crucial score.
Cratloe had the first score of the second half when Conor McGrath converted a free awarded against Robert Conlon, who was fortunate to escape with a yellow card.
Two from Niall Gilligan and one from Caimin Morey had the winners in front by the fifth minute. However, Damian Browne tied up the scores for the fifth and final time after Tadhg Keogh got in a vital tackle on Conor McGrath as he bore down on goal.
A minute from the end of the third quarter, Declan Morey gave his side a lead they would hold to the finish and a minute into the final quarter he doubled their advantage with another fine strike, before Caimin Morey put them three clear. Fitzgerald saved from Conor McGrath as play swung from end to end but perhaps his most crucial contribution was his save from Conor McGrath eight minutes from time, when he dived full length to turn the Cratloe full-forward’s effort behind for a 65’, which Cratloe failed to convert.
Tony Carmody was now in the Sixmilebridge line-up and he put four points between the sides with two minutes remaining and they held this advantage to the finish.
Seadna Morey was excellent at centre-back for the winners, while team captain Niall Gilligan also stood out, contributing 0-9, four from play. Declan Morey’s contribution of 1-2 was also vital on the evening.
Enda Boyce, Barry Duggan and Conor McGrath were prominent for Cratloe.

Sixmilebridge: Davy Fitzgerald; Tadhg Keogh, Paudie Fitzpatrick, Aidan Quilligan; John Fennessy, Seadna Morey, Robert Conlon; Shane Golden, Pa Sheehan; Jamie Shanahan, Rory Shanahan, Declan Morey; Danny Morey, Niall Gilligan, Caimin Morey.
Subs: Trevor Purcell for Fennessy (45 minutes) and Tony Carmody for Sheehan (51 minutes).
Scorers: Niall Gilligan (0-9, 5f), Declan Morey (1-2), Caimin Morey (0-2), Danny Morey, Jamie Shanahan, Pa Sheehan and Tony Carmody (0-1 each).
Frees for: 8; wides: 9
Bookings: Davy Fitzgerald (16 minutes), Robert Conlon (31 minutes) and Paidi Fitzpatrick (58 minutes).
“Cratloe had edged into a four-point lead and the goal before half-time came at a great time for us. We had done well but we took our eye off the ball for 10 minutes and got punished. Cratloe had a chance or two that they didn’t take and we escaped. It hurt when we lost here last year and everything this year was aimed at going further. We have nothing won and we have a lot of work to do yet but it’s great to be back in the final.” Christy Chaplin, Sixmilebridge manager.
Cratloe: Sean Hayes; John O’Gorman, Barry Duggan, David Ryan; Enda Boyce, Michael Hawes, Liam Markham; Sean Chaplin, Martin Ógie Murphy; Damian Browne, Sean Collins, Conor Ryan; Cathal McInerney, Conor McGrath, Paudge Collins.
Subs: Thomas O’Connor for Chaplin (48 minutes) and Padraig Chaplin for P Collins (54 minutes).
Scorers: Conor McGrath (1-6, 5f), Cathal McInerney and Sean Collins (0-2 each), Damian Browne, Conor Ryan and Paudge Collins (0-1 each).
Frees for: 10; wides: 9; 45s: 1
Bookings: Conor McGrath (16 minutes).
“The goal before half-time was crucial. We had the ball and gave it away. It was a killer but we were still in the game. However, once they got in front we could never peg them back. It was one of those days when the ball didn’t bounce for us.” Mike Deegan, Cratloe.
Referee: Ambrose Heagney, Corofin.

Fitzy back between the posts

FROM the moment the pairing materialised, the meeting of Sixmilebridge and Cratloe was always sure to attract a big attendance.
This was helped greatly by the expectation that Davy Fitzgerald was in line to make a return to competitive hurling, almost four years since he last played.
Listed on the match programme as the team’s goalkeeper, some in attendance weren’t convinced that he would actually play until the team ran onto the pitch 10 minutes before throw in.
It was a big gamble but Fitzgerald worked hard over the past two weeks preparing for his return.
So how did it feel to be back in championship action as a player?
“I was very sceptical because I hadn’t played in over three years and I didn’t want to let the lads down. The only reason I came back was to help out the lads and I was afraid of my life that I wouldn’t get the performance that would help get us into a county final. Thankfully, things went ok out there,” he replied.
“The first ball is always a tough one and with the wind, you don’t know where it’s going to drop. I didn’t want to make any blunders and I probably hesitated a small bit for the first one. I thought Paidi (Fitzpatrick) was going to come back and he thought I was going to come out. None of us did and I ended up getting there that split second late and Conor (McGrath) got the flick on it. After that I made up my mind that I was going for everything,” he said, commenting on Cratloe’s early goal.
In the second half, the new Clare manager made an excellent save, which helped keep his side ahead.
“It came through a lot of bodies and I only barely got the tip of the hurley to it. What’s important is that we are in the county final and that’s all that matters.”
What about the standard of play in this game?
“I thought it was a good game of hurling and Cratloe played their part. I am delighted to see the ’Bridge back in a county final and I don’t mind if I play or not. If Derek (Fahy) is ready, he is the ’Bridge goalie. I have no problem sitting on the sideline. If they want me to play, I will be there. I am only back to help out,” he stressed.