*David Mescall. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Sixmilebridge suffered their first defeat in this season’s Clare Cup (Division 1A) when going under to Inagh/Kilnamona in their re-arranged first round fixture which went ahead at Inagh on Saturday.
Inagh/Kilnamona 3-12
Sixmilebridge 1-16
Venue: Inagh
The minimum margin separated the sides at the half way point with hitherto unbeaten Sixmilebridge leading 1-9 to 2-5, Sixmilebridge’s goal having come from Cathal Lynch.
In the second half the winners got a grip on proceedings and with some good scores from Evan McNamara, Jason Griffin, Niall Mullins and Evan McNamara, they edged in front.
Inagh/Kilnamona’s goalscorers were David Mescall, Niall Mullins and Evan McNamara.
Mescall was particularly impressive over the hour with Sixmilebridge moving centre-back Caimin Morey to full back and Jamie Shanahan to number six in a bid to curb the Inagh/Kilnamona attacker.
Two of Inagh/Kilnamona’s full-back line, Cian McInerney and Keith White were forced off early through injury.
Sean Stack’s Bridge outfit combined a mix of youth and experience, the cohort of Derek Fahy, Caimin Morey, Shane Golden, Jamie Shanahan, Noel Purcell, Paidi Fitzpatrick, Brian Carey and Conor Deasy providing the experience.
This result means that Kilmaley are the only unbeaten side to date in Division 1A of the FutureTicketing Clare Cup. The Bridge remain in second spot while Inagh/Kilnamona’s second win of the competition pushes them into fifth position, although they are level with the Bridge on points.
Round four of the Clare Cup takes place this weekend. Sixmilebridge welcome Clonlara to O’Garney Park while Inagh/Kilnamona are away to Kilmaley. East Clare neighbours Broadford and Feakle do battle, Ballyea host O’Callaghans Mills while Newmarket-on-Fergus welcome Crusheen to Fr Murphy Memorial Park.
Inagh/Kilnamona: Patrick Kelly; Cian McInerney, Keith White. Jamie Wynne;
Seamus Foudy, Eoghan Foudy, Shane Woods; Darren Cullinan, Jason Griffin; Shane Vaughan, Niall Mullins, Shane McInerney; Evan McNamara, David Mescall, Tom Barry;
Subs: Cian Shannon for C. McInerney (inj); Ricky Wynne for White (inj); Paul O’Looney for S. Vaughan; C. Barry for S. McInerney,
Sixmilebridge: Derek Fahy; Colm Flynn, Leon Kelly, Jordan Downes; Noel Purcell, Caimin Morey, Paidi Fitzpatrick; Brian Carey, Sean McNamara; Luke O’Halloran, Cathal Lynch, Jamie Shanahan; Conor Deasy, Shane Golden, Ronan Tuohy;
Subs: Dylan Downes for Kelly; Oisin Breen for J. Downes
Referee: Niall Malone (Éire Óg)
