*Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
KILMALEY face off with Éire Óg in this weekend’s Clare SHC semi-final but they got to the last four with a truly dominant vicory over Sixmilebridge.
The Clare Echo’s online coverage of the Clare SHC is with thanks to The Temple Gate Hotel.
Eoin Brennan looks back on the quarter-final with the players ratings as Kilmaley defeated Sixmilebridge 1-21 1-8.
Kilmaley
1: Bryan O’Loughlin
Wasn’t his busiest evening albeit that had over 20 puck-outs. Had good distribution, was very alert, saved a David Kennedy shot and even landed a point of his own with a 90 metre free.
Rating: 7
2: Martin O’Connor
Had a difficult task from the outset, trying to curb Sixmilebridge’s best player David Kennedy who was essentially the fulcrum of their attack but stuck to his task well to weather the storm.
Rating: 6
3: Colin McGuane
Produced his best performance to date with a composed display, especially in the opening half when Sixmilebridge had conditions. Crucially blocked a Lorcan Fitzpatrick goal chance too.
Rating: 8
4: Joe Casey
Was busy throughout trying to curb Brian Corry which proved successful as while Casey didn’t hit as much ball as usual, neither did the ‘Bridge attacker who didn’t even have a shot at the posts.
Rating: 6
5: Aidan McGuane
Again most impactful when under more pressure in the first half against the conditions as mopped up well at the back and providing a platform for attacks with his distribution down the right wing.
Rating: 7
6: Daire Keane
With Jamie Shanahan having to aid an overworked midfield, centre-back Keane almost played as a quarterback when sweeping up well at the back and repeatedly launching attacks.
Rating: 8
7: Éanna McMahon
Part of a pivotal half-back unit for Kilmaley who limited Sixmilebridge to shooting from distance. Was the trio’s main short puck-out source too, collecting a fifth of Bryan O’Loughlin’s restarts.
Rating: 7
8: Tommy Barry
Epitomised Kilmaley’s superior spirit and drive with a superbly ravenous display throughout. Brilliant around the centre but also excelled at the back late on. Scored and had goal chance too.
Verdict: 9
9: Sean Kennedy
Along with Tommy Barry, Mikey O’Malley, Mikey O’Neill and Brian McNamara, Kennedy helped his side dominate the centre as a crucial linkman. Scored an early point to kickstart challenge.
Rating: 7
30: Brian McNamara
Has been a major addition to Kilmaley’s armoury over the past two matches. Had a brilliant first half, scoring two, assisting two more and also earning a free. Scored an early point on restart too.
Rating: 8
11: Mikey O’Malley
Kilmaley’s captain and playmaker may not have scored from open play but was unerring from placed balls, converting seven while also directly set up three points for others.
Rating: 8
12: Mikey O’Neill
Another to excel against the conditions when hoovering up possession when sitting deep but also bombing forward at every available opportunity to pick off three points and almost grab a goal.
Rating: 9
10: Sean O’Loughlin
Was at the heart of Kilmaley’s huge variety of attacking options, scoring a point in each half and assisting three more. Was also unlucky to see a stretched first half goal chance just flash wide.
Rating: 8
14: Conor Cleary
Kilmaley’s main protagonist throughout their four match series and was a central figure once more as a puck-out option, scorer of a brace of points, setting up two for others and winning a free.
Rating: 8
13: Tom O’Rourke
Kilmaley’s most lethal poacher managed to grab his fourth goal in three matches to put clear daylight between the sides. Had another shot blocked by Paidi Fitzpatrick and scored a point.
Rating: 7
Substitutes
29: Cathal Darcy
Good footballing skills at the end to bypass three players after losing hurley.
Rating: 5
15: Colm Killeen
Better off closer to goal to be able to threaten. Conceded a free but mattered little.
Rating: 5
18: Eoin Enright
17: Joe Carmody
19: Colin Carmody
Not on long enough for a rating
Sixmilebridge
1: Derek Fahy
Made a great save to deny Mikey O’Neill in first half injury-time while had to be alert to prevent an effort from Tommy Barry. Wasn’t his fault for the goal which kind of summed up their day.
Rating: 7
7: Matthew O’Halloran
Belied his young year to become one of the few leaders over the hour. Was unfortunate to slip for goal but cleared off the line early on and would subsequently drive his side, winning three frees.
Rating: 7
3: Noel Purcell
The “Bridge’s new full-back admirably stifled Kilmaley’s targetman Conor Cleary as well as humanly possible and came out with plenty of ball. Won a free but conceded one too.
Rating: 6
4: Pa Mulready
Had his hands full with Sean O’Loughlin and Tom O’Rourke but battled well over the hour to try and stem what was a seemingly incessant wave of Kilmaley attacks.
Rating: 6
8: Seadna Morey
Back for his first outing since tweaking hamstring against Clonlara in the opening round and was a welcome addition albeit a little ringrusty at times. Was a strong puck-out short puck-out option.
Rating: 7
6: Paidi Fitzpatrick
Initially torn between trying to anchor defence along with keeping an eye on breaking ball around Conor Cleary. Did intercept two puck-outs and made great late block on Tom O’Rourke shot.
Rating: 6
5: Fiachra Ó Braoin
Has made his elevation to a senior starter look seamless with another confident display. Tried to get his side back on the front-foot but had his hands full in the other direction especially early on.
Rating: 6
9: Brian Carey
Tried to influence matters but Kilmaley’s pace and drive overran ‘Bridge in middle third. Won a relieving free but also leaked one with late tackle that earned him a yellow. Replaced at half-time.
Rating: 5
14: Shane Golden
Made the decisive run for their much-needed goal for Kennedy at the turn of the final quarter but other than that, didn’t impact the scoreboard as hit a wide and had another effort drop short.
Rating: 6
23: Luke O’Halloran
Was a little unlucky to be hauled off at half-time as he gone on a good bit of possession. However, with the way the pattern of play was going, he found himself more in defence than attack.
Rating: 6
11: Jamie Shanahan
As ever, was the fulcrum of the Bridge’s attack, winning five puck-outs and scoring four frees, two of which he earned himself. Did miss two more and had another short but conditions were tough.
Rating: 7
10: Lorcan Fitzpatrick
Pointed early on but frustratingly hit four wides. The turning point came when his 21st minute shot for an equalising goal was blocked, only for the ball to end up in their own net seconds later.
Rating: 5
15: Brian Corry
A lot of expectations were on his shoulders to share the bulk of the scoring responsibilities with David Kennedy. However, one successful turnover aside, the lively forward never threatened.
Verdict: 5
12: Alex Morey
He wasn’t alone but had a forgettable opening half as couldn’t get on ball and worse still his normally unerring freetaking also went amiss with three wides and only one point.
Rating: 5
13: David Kennedy
Easily the ‘Bridge’s chief threat and source of inspiration as looked to do damage with every possession. Had three goal chances, scoring one and added a brace of points too.
Rating: 8
Substitutes:
19: Sean Macnamara
Made a real positive impact upon his introduction, winning a free and a puck-out
Rating: 6
20: Alan Mulready
Produced a cover instinctive flick to ensure David Kennedy got the ball for the goal.
Rating: 5
22: Jason Loughnane
Roved around for possession and a shot at the posts but struck wide.
Rating: 5
18: Conor Deasy
Came on too late to turn the tide but did win a puck-out upon his arrival.
Rating: 5
