*Jimmy Corry was one of the most experienced for a youthful Clooney/Quin. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
An eighth consecutive victory powered Clooney/Quin to an unprecedented Clare Cup Final against home side O’Callaghan’s Mills next Sunday after overtaking neighbours Sixmilebridge with an impressive finish on Sunday afternoon.
Clooney/Quin 1-23
Sixmilebridge 2-16
Venue: Fr Murphy Memorial Park, Newmarket-on-Fergus
The Division 1B tabletoppers had to be patient before finally soaring into the ascendency for the first time through substitute Mikey Corry in the 53rd minute, with a 0-9 to 0-2 final quarter flourish completing a remarkably sea change in fortunes.
Full of pace, stamina and equally as significantly youthful enthusiasm, a fresh faced Clooney/Quin ran at their neighbours against the conditions in the opening period before outgunning them with the wind in their sails.
It had to take until late on for that handover to materialise though as a stubborn ‘Bridge, initially resisted with a Brian Corry goal entering the final quarter to keep their noses in front at 2-14 to 1-14.
However, in terms of energy, efficiency and determination, Clooney/Quin managed to bide their time with a five point unanswered rally through Darragh Keogh (2), Dannan Fox, Corry and Callum Hassett to inch in front by 1-19 to 2-14 by the 54th minute.
And not to be outdone, freetaker Keogh (2), talisman Jack O’Neill and experienced replacement Cillian Duggan finished the job to catapult Clooney/Quin into the final for the first time in almost 80 years.
Sixmilebridge, with only eight of the side that lined out in last year’s championship semi-final, appeared far more limited in terms of options than their neighbours and ultimately lacked the speed and balance to be able to prevail.
That was evidenced by the fact that they only scored 2-5 from play over the hour from five players whereas Clooney/Quin raided for 1-15 from open play through eleven different scorers.
Despite a strong wind at their backs in the opening period, Sixmilebridge relied on the freetaking of goalkeeper Derek Fahy (5) and Alex Morey (3) to keep their side on top throughout. A Morey goal at the end of the first quarter following good work from Barry Fitzpatrick and Kevin Lynch was crucially cancelled out in the next passage of play as the electric Dannan Fox slalomed his way through to find the net at 1-5 to 1-3.
By the break, the ‘Bridge led by 1-10 to 1-7 which didn’t seem enough considering the strength of the wind that blew towards the Ballycar end. That said, Sixmilebridge dug deep on the resumption with three of the first four points while also seeing an Alex Morey shot flash across the face of goal and wide at 1-13 to 1-8.
Clooney/Quin eventually settled into their stride though with Callum Hassett, Shane McNamara, Sam Scanlan, Darragh Keogh, Donagh O’Sullivan and Jack O’Neill all firing eye-catching points from play to regain full parity by the turn of the final quarter.
Brian Corry stormed into the contest with an opportunist goal in the 46th minute but it was only a temporary reprieve as Keogh’s frees allied to a more impactful bench saw Clooney-Quin overpower their neighbours coming down the final straight with nine of the last eleven points.
It tees up an intriguing FutureTicketing Clare Cup Final showdown between two teams craving senior silverware for the first time this century, with the added ingredient of being in Hamilton Park in Kilkishen as part of the ground’s 100 year anniversary weekend only adding to the atmosphere of what will be a memorable occasion regardless of which way the pendulum ultimately swing.
Scorers for Clooney/Quin: Darragh Keogh (0-7, 5f); Jack O’Neill (0-5, 3f); Dannan Fox (1-2); Callum Hassett (0-2); Jimmy Corry, Eoin Guilfoyle, Shane McNamara, Sam Scanlan, Donagh O’Sullivan, Mikey Corry, Cillian Duggan (0-1 each)
Scorers for Sixmilebridge: Alex Morey (1-7, 6f); Derek Fahy (0-5f); Brian Corry (1-2); David Kennedy, Ronan Tuohy (0-1 each)
Clooney-Quin
1: Cathal Hannon
2: Shane McNamara
3: Conor Grogan
4: Evan Maxted
7: Darragh Keogh
6: John Conneally
5: John Cahill
8: Jimmy Corry
9: Eoin Guilfoyle
10: Callum Hassett
11: Dylan Cunningham
12: Trevor Lee
13: Sam Scanlan
14: Jack O’Neill
15: Dannan Fox
Substitutions
26: Cillian Duggan for Cunningham (37 mins)
24: Donagh O’Sullivan for Guilfoyle (41 mins)
25: Mikey Corry for Scanlan (49 mins)
17: Ronan O’Donnell for Lee (60 mins)
Sixmilebridge
1: Derek Fahy
2: Noel Purcell
3: Brian Carey
4: Jordan Downes
5: Paidi Fitzpatrick
6: Leon Kelly
7: Colm Flynn
8: Barry Fitzpatrick
9: Conor Deasy
10: Ronan Tuohy
11: Alex Morey
12: David Kennedy
13: Brian Corry
14: Kevin Lynch
15: Adam Murray
Substitutions
21: Lorcan Fitzpatrick for Murray (40)
20: Fiachra Ó Braoin for Tuohy (45)
18: Dylan Downes for J. Downes (46)
19: Paul Corry for P. Fitzpatrick (55)
Referee: John Bugler (Whitegate)
