*David Kennedy struck for Sixmilebridge’s goal. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
A professional opening display ensured that Sixmilebridge got their senior championship challenge off to an encouraging start in Clarecastle on Saturday afternoon.
Sixmilebridge 1-21
Crusheen 0-20
Venue: Clarecastle
In what expectantly turned out to be a close battle with Crusheen, the ‘Bridge’s edge on experience, guile and most importantly balance provided the main ingredients to remain on track and lead for almost the full hour.
In the end, David Kennedy’s 15th minute goal proved the difference for the majority as Sean Stack’s side impressed with 1-16 from play.
That said, Crusheen had their chances to reel in their opponents late on but two glorious goal opportunities for Oisin O’Donnell were denied for a relieved ‘Bridge to prevail.
With Shane Golden, Lorcan Fitzpatrick and Cathal Malone only recently back into the fold while key forward Jamie Shanahan is sty to return, Sixmilebridge’s attacking force was impressive and will only improve as this championship develops.
In such a tough start, a win by any margin would have been satisfactory but the ‘Bridge justify their seeding to remain in control throughout.
A bright start with the wind at their backs aided their settlement into the tie as braces from Seadna Morey and Shane Golden helped carve out a 0-7 to 0-3 advantage by the 13th minute.
The damage could have been greater, only for an ambitious Seadna Morey goal attempt to be saved by goalkeeper Donal Tuohy albeit that the ‘Bridge breakthrough would arrive only two minutes later.
Having just lessened the damage with points from Breffni Horner and Jamie Fitzgibbon, Crusheen switched off momentarily as a short puck-out saw Derek Fahy play a one-two with Barry Fitzpat-rick before the goalkeeper launched a huge delivery over Crusheen’s last line for the waiting Da-vid Kennedy to pull to the net at 1-7 to 0-5.
That five point gap would remain until the break as Brian Corry (3) largely matched Crusheen dangermen Jamie Fitzgibbon and Luke Ketelaar to take a 1-13 to 0-11 lead into the dressing rooms.
Now backed by the conditions, Crusheen immediately asked questions of Sixmilebridge’s mettle as Oisin O’Donnell (2) and Ross Hayes fired the first three points of the new half to lower the ar-rears to just two at 1-13 to 0-14.
Sixmilebridge refused to panic though, with Alex Morey’s frees maintaining a three point differ-ence for the remainder of the third quarter at 1-17 to 0-17.
O’Donnell combined with the raiding Cian Dillon to unleash another shot on goal which was saved by Fahy and it seemed to take the sting out of Crusheen’s comeback hopes as four points with-out reply through Alex Morey (2), the excellent Cathal Malone and Shane Golden at 1-21 to 0-18 by the 57th minute.
O’Donnell caught a great delivery at the edge of the square but struck straight at Fahy while in injury-time the ball somehow never crossed the line despite three attempts from O’Donnell (2) and Jamie Fitzgibbon.
Overall, Sixmilebridge got far more out of their collective than Crusheen who saw impressive per-formances in patches but overall had too many passengers at crucial times to be able to upset the odds.
Scorers for Sixmilebridge: Alex Morey (0-6, 5f, 1’65); Brian Corry, Shane Golden (0-4 each); David Kennedy (1-1); Seadna Morey, Cathal Malone (0-2 each); Conor Deasy, Lorcan Fitzpatrick (0-1 each)
Scorers for Crusheen: Breffni Horner (0-5, 4f); Ross Hayes (0-4, 3f, 1’65); Oisin O’Donnell, Luke Ketelaar (0-3 each); Jamie Fitzgibbon (0-2); Gavin O’Brien, Gerry O’Grady, Eoghan McMahon (0-1 each)
Sixmilebridge
1: Derek Fahy
18: Brian Carey
3: Barry Fitzpatrick
4: Noel Purcell
5: Seadna Morey
6: Caimin Morey
7: Paidi Fitzpatrick
8: Cathal Malone
21: Sean Macnamara
12: Conor Deasy
11: Lorcan Fitzpatrick
10: Shane Golden
13: Brian Corry
14: Alex Morey
15: David Kennedy
Sub
2: Leon Kelly for Macnamara (61)
Crusheen
1: Donal Tuohy
4: Mark Perrill
3: Cian Dillon
17: Luke Hayes
2: Eanna McMahon
9: Ross Hayes
7: Gavin O’Brien
8: Oisin O’Donnell
10: Cilléin Mullins
18: Luke Ketelaar
11: Fergus Kennedy
12: Jamie Fitzgibbon
13: Conor O’Donnell
14: Gerry O’Grady
15: Breffni Horner
Subs
6: Tadhg Dean for Perrill (24)
22: Eoghan McMahon for O’Grady (50)
Referee: John Bugler (Whitegate)
