*Paidi Fitzpatrick claims the sliotar and looks for a free. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Knocking out the “standard bearers” of the Clare senior hurling championship will strengthen Éire Óg’s bid for honours.
In a sparkling display, Éire Óg avenged quarter-final and semi-final defeats of 2019 and 2020 against Sixmilebridge by recording a 2-18 1-11 win which ended The Bridge’s aspirations of claiming a third title in succession.
Goals in either half from David Reidy and Shane O’Donnell built strong foundations in a well-rounded team display in which Aaron Fitzgerald, David McNamara and Darren O’Brien were influential.
A focus was maintained throughout the contest, Éire Óg boss Matt Shannon acknowledged. “We stayed focused for this game, we started well. We have met the last three years and twice last year. We know each other fairly well. Unlike last year, we kept it going. We were tuned in from the off. It was a good team effort.
“It wasn’t a day conducive to flashy hurling. You can have all the stats, nutritionists but you need 90% honesty and hunger and we brought that from the off today. They (Sixmilebridge) have been great champions. They are the standard bearers in this county and we all want to get where they are,” he added.
Shannon was quick to point out that nothing has yet been won by the Ennis men despite their progress. “For us this is only a quarter final and we are only back where we were last year. We have one or two lads extra this year and we needed them all”.
