Sixmilebridge 4-15 Crusheen/Ruan 1-14 On 22nd March 2025 the Bridge U15 Hurlers started their competitive campaign for the new season and 138 days (~20 Weeks) later the team ended their season on a high as Captain Liam Flannery climbed the steps of Cusack Park to accept the U15A Championship cup on behalf of a gallant group of young men and management who recorded a historic 16th title for the club at U15A Level.
But what a year it has been since the first ball was pucked until the last - Lets start with a background on these boys ...
In 2023 they reached the U13A final after an unbeaten run in the Championship - however in a game which they dominated they ended up losing out to Clooney/Quin who finished with a strong last quarter. In 2024 they regrouped for the U14A championship and again reached the final only to lose out to a better Corofin/Ruan team on the day.
So in 2025 we knew we would be there or there abouts come the business end of competitions but never in our wildest dreams did we think we would land 3 trophies in the season.
The team went through the group stages of the Championship with 6 wins and 1 draw to top the group.
In the middle of the Championship there was a break for the Clare Feile which the Bridge boys won following a great battle with Corofin/Ruan - See report here This win qualified us for the all Ireland Feile in Wexford where following a super day of Fun, Frolics and hurling in Ferns we brought home the shield title - See report here
Following Feile it was back to domestic action and a tough battle against Corofin/Ruan in the group stages which ended in a draw bringing us back into focus. A win over St Josephs Doora Barefield in the semi final meant we qualified for the final to face Corofin/Ruan for the 3rd time this year.
The game was an extremely tight affair for the first 15 minutes as scores were tit for tat before the 'Bridge forwards found their footing and hit the onion sack 3 times through Cian Mullins (2) and TJ Finnin to give us a 3-06 to 0-08 lead at the short whistle. Noel Duggan added a 4th goal in the second half to see us run out winners by 10 points.
The final whistle lead to jubilant celebrations for a team that has won the hearts of young and old in the club over the last number years as they picked themselves up from previous final loses to complete their treble of titles - Clare Feile Champions Clare Champions Champions All Ireland Feile Shield Champions
Well done to all the boys and their management for the massive effort put in all year - their U15 Academy counterparts also won the Clare Academy title in 2015 for a 4th title for the management team.
