*Sixmilebridge celebrate winning the Clare SHC title in 2020. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
Sixmilebridge GAA club “is not in disarray” a long-serving club officer told Monday’s meeting of the Clare County Board.
Earlier this month, The Sunday Independent reported that divisions were emerging within the Sixmilebridge club. One member was quoted as saying the club is split, “It is pro-Fitzgerald and anti-Fitzgerald, that is basically what it boils down to”.
A decision to send a letter signed by Chairman Paddy Meehan on behalf of the club to The Clare Champion offering support to the Fitzgerald family and condemning online abuse was reported to have escalated tensions.
Speaking on Monday, Sixmilebridge club delegate Christy Murray took the opportunity to comment on recent media coverage. “The media think they have a licence to do what they want,” he claimed.
Murray continued, “The Bridge is not in disarray, if they want us to stop us winning three in a row, they will have to train harder than us”.
He said the club was “behind the entire Fitzgerald family 100 percent” as he praised the contribution and track record of country secretary Pat Fitzgerald while commending the passion and promotion of Davy Fitzgerald and quipped of his love for the game, “I’d say he sleeps with the hurley and ball”.
Clarecastle Chairman, Niall Tuohy responded to Murray’s contribution. “I’m delighted to hear all is not in disarray in Sixmilebridge. I am delighted to hear all of Sixmilebridge is behind the Fitzgeralds. It is a lesson to us all not to believe everything we read in the papers”.
