*Jack O’Halloran and Darren Moroney battle for possession. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
ÉIRE ÓG’s brilliant season on the domestic front continued as they qualified for the final of the Berwick Callinan Murphy U21A hurling final.
Éire Óg 0-8
Sixmilebridge 0-5
Venue: O’Garney Park, Sixmilebridge
In a game played in atrocious weather conditions on Wednesday night, the Ennis outfit proved too strong for Sixmilebridge at O’Garney Park and deservingly advanced to a meeting with Inagh/Kilnamona, a game that is set for Sunday at Gurteen at 1.30p.m.
Before going into any detail on this semi-final tie, it is only fitting that tribute be paid to both sets of players for their efforts on what was truly a most difficult evening for hurling. Players had to contend with heavy rain throughout and this was particularly true of the opening five minutes of the second half when it was practically impossible to see the ball, such was the downpour.
Credit also to the park committee in Sixmilebridge who had the pitch in good order giving the atrocious conditions on the evening.
Given the conditions it is not surprising that this was such a low scoring tie which, for long periods, looked like it would require extra time to produce a winner.
That said it has to be acknowledged that Éire Óg were deserving winners. The foundation for their victory was laid in defence where centre back Robert Loftus excelled while Fionan Treacy at full back was also very impressive.
Points were exchanged three times in the opening half at the end of which the teams were locked together at 0-3 each. Sixmilebridge goalkeeper Mark Sheedy had denied the Ennis men on a few occasions in that half and there was concern amongst supporters of the home side when he was helped off the pitch at half time. To their delight he returned after the break and went on to keep a clean sheet.
Points were swapped again early in the second half before the winners opened a two point lead by the three quarter stage after Marco Cleary and Conor Perrill from a free had hit the target.
The home side brought it back to one thanks to another converted free from Seamus O’Connell but Éire Óg finished strongly with points from James O’Dwyer and another Perrill free sealing their victory.
As mentioned Robert Loftus was outstanding on an evening when Fionan Treacy, Cillian and Darren Moroney, Nialll Doyle and Marco Cleary also impressed.
For Sixmilebridge who failed to score from open play, Mark Sheedy, Dara Fitzgerald, Jack (Hala) O’Halloran, Seamus O’Connell and Zack Phelan did best.
For the dual under 21 players in Éire Óg, this victory means that they will have three major championship games in a seven day period.
As already mentioned the hurling final takes place on Sunday while on Wednesday evening next the club will contest the final of the under 21 B football championship against Cratloe, a fixture that was postponed from last week due to the Ennis club’s involvement in Munster club senior football and hurling action.
Scorers Éire Óg: Conor Perrill (frees), Marco Cleary (0-3 each), Robert Doyle, James O’Dwyer (0-1) each;
Scorers Sixmilebridge; Seamus O’Connell (0-4), all frees; Zak Phelan (0-1, f);
Éire Óg: Cian Howard; Luke Pyne, Fionán Treacy, Cillian Moroney; Rian Mulcahy, Robert Loftus, Jack Lynch; Darren Moroney, Niall Doyle; Tom Kavanagh, Conor Perrill, David Loftus; Eoin O’Regan, Marco Cleary, James O’Dwyer;
Subs; Michael Heneghan for L. Pyne; Luke Vaughan for E. O’Regan; Andrew McElwee for D. Loftus.
Sixmillebridge: Mark Sheedy; Mark Mullins, Oisin Breen, Fiachra O’Braoin; Dara Fitzgerald, Matthew O’Halloran, Jack (Halla) O’Halloran; Cillian Phelan, Jack O’Halloran; Rory Chaplin, Seamus O’Connell, Conor Gilligan; Zak Phelan, Fionn Hayes, Daniel Chaplin.
Subs; Cillian Murphy for F. Hayes; Stephen Gavin for C. Gilligan; Dylan Keogh for D. Chaplin.
Referee: Fergal O’Brien (Broadford).
All photographs by Gerard O’Neill.
