SENIOR HURLING CHAMPIONSHIP: Sixmilebridge always in control

Sixmilebridge 1-18   St Joseph’s 0-8

FROM an early stage in their clash at Dr Daly Park on Saturday evening, it was clear Sixmilebridge were the superior outfit. Dominating in most sectors of the field, they had secured their senior status for 2013 long before referee Seanie McMahon sounded the final whistle.

Going into this year’s championship race, Sixmilebridge were shortlisted for success. After all, they contested the final last year and have enjoyed quite an amount of success at minor and U-21 levels in recent times.

However, defeats to Cratloe and Clonlara put them out of the title race and led to a relegation play-off against the Doora-Barefield outfit on Saturday.

This result leaves St Joseph’s in a three-way play-off with Clooney-Quin and Broadford to determine who will make the drop to Senior B for next season.

Conditions were difficult on Saturday, with rain falling throughout and there was little between the sides in the early stages. Niall Gilligan and Ivor White (free) exchanged points before the winners hit three in as many minutes from Caimin Morey (2), the first from a penalty and Gilligan.

They were 0-6 to 0-3 in front when, with four minutes remaining in the half, Morey finished off a good move with what proved to be the game’s only goal. It helped his side to a comfortable half-time lead, when the score was 1-8 to 0-3.

As with the opening half, Gilligan and White (free) swapped points in the opening minutes of the second before the winners hit five without reply to kill off any hopes of a St Joseph’s rally. This left the score at 1-14 to 0-4 at the three-quarter stage and the winners were clearly in control.

In a dull final quarter, they each added four points, as Sixmilebridge comfortably secured their senior status for next season.

Seadna Morey was always prominent at centre-back, while Tadhg Keogh dominated in the full-back line. Veteran Niall Gilligan was an inspirational captain on a day when Caimin Morey was the game’s top scorer with 1-8 to his credit.

Sean Flynn and Ivor White did well for St Joseph’s on a day when goalkeeper Paul Madden came to his side’s rescue with a number of fine saves. Overall, however, the Doora-Barefield side struggled in most positions and will have to improve considerably if they are to retain senior status.

Sixmilebridge: Derek Fahy; Tadhg Keogh, Páidí Fitzpatrick, Trevor Purcell; John Fennessy, Seadna Morey, Kevin Lynch; Robert Conlon, Shane Golden; Pa Sheehan, Niall Gilligan, Declan Morey; Danny Morey, Caimin Morey, Alan Mulready.
Sub: Noel Purcell for Fennessy.
Scorers: Caimin Morey (1-8, 4f), Niall Gilligan (0-5), Danny Morey (0-3), Shane Golden and Pa Sheehan (0-1 each).
Frees for: 14; wides: 10.
Bookings: None.

St Joseph’s: Paul Madden; Brian Collins, Sean Flynn, Cathal O’Sullivan; Conor Lyons, Kevin Dilleen, Darragh O’Driscoll; Alan O’Neill, Mark Hallinan; Jarlath Colleran, Greg Lyons, Eamonn Clohessy; Alan Duggan, Declan Malone, Ivor White.
Subs: Enda Lyons for C Lyons, Donal O’Halloran for Duggan and Ken Kennedy for Malone.
Scorers: Ivor White (0-5, 4f), Enda Lyons, Alan O’Neill and Greg Lyons (0-1 each).
Frees for: 15; wides: 5.
Bookings: Declan Malone and Alan Duggan.

Referee: Seanie McMahon, Newmarket.