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*Kilmaley’s Tom O’Rourke. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
KILMALEY made it three wins from three to secure successive quarter-final appearances in the TUS Clare SHC.
Kilmaley 0-25
Sixmilebridge 1-18
Venue: Zimmer Biomet Páirc Chiosóg
Kilmaley’s perfect group campaign amazingly wasn’t the headline news story coming from cusack Park on Sunday evening. Kilmaley’s second half surge on nine of the first eleven points put an unassailable eight point chasm between themselves and Sixmilebridge entering the final quarter on their way to a return to the business end.
Consequently, attentions predominantly returned to their phones to find updates on Newmarket and Wolfe Tones in Broadford which proved to be utterly compelling as only a single score nudged the Tones into the last eight alongside Kilmaley.
With Wolfe Tones falling but just two points to the Blues, Newmarket, the Tones and Sixmilebridge actually finished level on points and score difference thus throwing up the unprecedented scenario of eventually separating the sides on ‘scores for’ [who scored the most in the three matches between each other].
Even that was inch-tight as only three points divided the neighbouring trio – Wolfe Tones (+50), Sixmilebridge (+49) and Newmarket-on-Fergus (+47) thus nudging the Shannon side into the last eight and the Blues into the demotion play-offs.
That fascinating finish made up for a rather disappointing Brian Culbert derby in Cusack Park that saw Sixmilebridge battle admirably against group leaders Kilmaley but realistically they needed to take every scoring chance that came their way to cause an upset.
That certainly didn’t come to pass as 13 wides and four missed goal opportunities highlights albeit that goalkeeper Bryan O’Loughlin (three) and the post came to Kilmaley’s rescue.
Brian Culbert’s side were just more consistent and metronomic throughout to keep their opponents at arm’s length and quench any unwanted ‘Bridge optimism.
MORE TO FOLLOW
Scorers for Kilmaley: Tom O’Rourke 0-6 (5f), Sean O’Loughlin 0-6 (3f), Sean Kennedy 0-3, Cian Moloney 0-3, Daire Keane 0-2, Conor Cleary 0-2, Tommy Barry 0-1, Colm Killeen 0-1, Brian McNamara 0-1
Scorers for Sixmilebridge: Jamie Shanahan 1-7 (1-6f), Dara Fitzgerald 0-2, David Kennedy 0-2, Brian Corry 0-1, Lorcan Fitzpatrick 0-1, Fiachra Ó Braoin 0-1, Seadna Morey 0-1, Shane Golden 0-1, Cathal Malone 0-1, Zak Phelan 0-1
Kilmaley
1: Bryan O’Loughlin
4: Colin Carmody
3: Colin McGuane
20: Oisin Looney
5: Aidan McGuane
6: Mikey O’Malley
7: Daire Keane
2: Joe Casey
8: Tommy Barry
11: Mikey O’Neill
10: Cian Moloney
14: Conor Cleary
9: Sean Kennedy
13: Tom O’Rourke
15: Sean O’Loughlin
Subs
23: Colm Killeen for O’Rourke (43)
19: Brian McNamara for Barry (44)
17: James Fitzpatrick for O’Neill (49)
18: Joe Carmody for Moloney (52)
12: Eanna McMahon for Barry (56)
Sixmilebridge
1: Mark Sheedy
2: Fiachra Ó Braoin
3: Noel Purcell
8: Mattie O’Halloran
7: Paidi Fitzpatrick
6: Seadna Morey
29: Zak Phelan
11: Jamie Shanahan
19: Sean Macnamara
27: Dara Fitzgerald
9: Cathal Malone
10: Lorcan Fitzpatrick
13: David Kennedy
14: Shane Golden
15: Brian Corry
Subs
12: Luke O’Halloran for Golden (46)
26: Calum Phelan for Macnamara (48)
4: Pa Mulready for P. Fitzpatrick (50)
20: Alan Mulready for L. Fitzpatrick (50-53, BS)
20: Mulready for Fitzgerald (54)
21: Cathal Lynch for Corry (56)
Referee: Joe Mullins (Clonlara)
