O’Halloran outstanding for ’Bridge

Sixmilebridge 4-11
Kilmaley 2-13

Sixmilebridge overcame Kilmaley in round one of the Junior A Hurling Championship at a windy Gurteen last Saturday. Kilmaley enjoyed the better of the opening moments scoring 1-1, with the goal coming from Patrick Sexton.
The 2010 junior B champions hit a few wides before Ronan O’Shea opened their account. Kilmaley full-back Brendan Talty was dominant during this period with the Sixmilebridge mentors switching Declan Murphy into full-forward to counteract this. Further scores from Paul Kennedy (2) and Jason Pyne in reply to an O’Shea free saw Kilmaley go into a 1-4 to 0-2 lead after the first quarter.
This seemed to ignite Sixmilebridge who piled on the pressure and got the reward when they won a 20 metre free in front of the goals.
Ronan O’Shea stepped up and made no mistake as he rattled the net to bring his side back into the game.
Two scores in quick succession from Donald Devanney and John Mulready levelled matters before another goal chance came their way. Again it was O’Shea who saw his powerful shot saved by a combination of Bryan O’Loughlin and the crossbar as the ball rebounded into the path of Declan Murphy.
The Kilmaley netminder made a good stop to deny Murphy but Eanna Burns was on hand to hit the ball to the net. This gave the ’Bridge the lead for the first time in the match and they were to hold a two-point lead at the break, 2-6 to 1-7.
The first attack of the second half produced a goal for the Kilmaley men as Danny Cabey’s shot from 40-yards went all the way to the net. Remarkably, on the next attack, the green flag was being raised again, this time down the other end of the pitch as Ronan O’Shea’s shot was adjudged to have crossed the line.
Darragh O’Connor extended the Sixmilebridge lead with a fine score before Kilmaley replied with points from Barry Lynch and a Paul Kennedy free to narrow the margin.
Gerry O’Halloran made a couple of outstanding saves to deny Kilmaley certain goals during this period. The game’s most important score came midway through the second half when Declan Murphy was fouled in front of the Kilmaley goal. This gave Ronan O’Shea another chance at goal. He duly obliged as his low shot found the net to grab his hat trick and give his team a four-point lead. Kilmaley badly needed a goal and try as they did they could find no way past a resolute ’Bridge back line with O’Halloran pulling off another fine save.
Kilmaley were given some hope when Paul Kennedy and Danny Cabey sent over points to reduce the gap to three with less than five minutes remaining. However, Sixmilebridge finished the stronger with two scores from O’Shea as all Kilmaley could muster was a free from Jason Pyne and the ’Bridge held on for a well deserved four point win.
For the winners Gerry O’Halloran made some outstanding saves, Brian O’Loughlin, Jonathan Hayes and Brian Carey got through some good work in defence. Donald Devanney won plenty ball at midfield while up front Ronan O’Shea, Eanna Burns and Darragh O’Connor caused problems for their opponents.
Kilmaley were well served by Brendan Talty particularly in the first half, Ger Commane, Danny Cabey, Patrick Sexton and Paul Kennedy, who was unerring from frees.

Sixmilebridge: Gerry O’Halloran; Evan McInerney, Brian O’Loughlin, Jason Murphy; Jonathan Hayes, Barry Deasy, Daniel Collins (capt); Brian Carey, Donald Devanney (0-1); Shane Devanney (0-1), Declan Murphy, Eanna Burns (1-1); Ronan O’Shea (3-6, 2-2f, 0-1 65), John Mulready (0-1), Darragh O’Connor (0-1).
Subs: Eoin Hogan for S Devanney, Mark McInerney for Deasy, Joe O’Halloran for Mulready.
Kilmaley: Bryan O’Loughlin; Shane Lynch, Brendan Talty, Stephen Griffey; Gerard Commane (0-1, 0-1 65), Michael Pyne, Enda Finnucane; Kevin McNamara, Danny Cabey (1-1); Cillian McNamara (0-1), Ronan Pyne, Barry Lynch (0-1); Jason Pyne (0-2, 0-1f), Patrick Sexton (1-1), Paul Kennedy (0-6; 0-4f).
Sub: Shane Culligan for B Lynch.

In other first round games, Newmarket had seven points to spare over Inagh-Kilnamona winning on a 1-14 to 1-7 scoreline. Clooney-Quin defeated Whitegate by two points, 1-11 to 2-6 while O’Callaghan’s Mills were 2-8 to 0-3 winners over Éire Óg. In the remaining first round tie, Cratloe had an easy 2-18 to 0-9 success over Corofin.

Junior B
In the opening round of the Junior B Championship there were victories for Clonlara, Broadford, Crusheen, Kilmaley, Tubber and Tulla over Smith O’Brien’s, Ballyea, Killanena, Éire Óg, Inagh-Kilnamona and Ruan respectively, while Wolfe Tones and Clooney-Quin shared the spoils.