The intermediate team came to this fixture needing a win to kickstart their pursuit of a knockout place in this years championship after a draw against Ruan and a disappointing loss to Bodyke.
A lively game from the start, the Bridge opened their scoring with nice points from Cathaoir Agnew and Dara Fitzgerald. Paul Corry had a period of dominance in the corner then, producing 4 shots on the posts with 3 white flags. Next up was Cathal 'Curly' Lynch with 3 white flags in a row for the Bridge to see them lead 0-8 to 0-4 midway through the half. Clarecastle did fight back and had 4 unanswered points to draw level at 0-8 each with final few minutes of the half approaching. The Bridge kicked on again with points from Dylan Downes and Jack Corry as well as a '65 from Caimin Morey but up stepped Whelan again for Clarecastle with a goal which they followed by a point to take the lead for the first time. Two more points for the Bridge via a free from Jack Corry and from play by corner back Oisin Breen saw the Bridge draw level as the half time whistle was blown, 0-13 to 1-10.
The opening minutes of the second half saw 3 Clarecastle points answered by 4 Paul Corry frees. There followerd a period where both sides had plenty of wides. Fionn Hayes with a long range point and Caimin Morey with a long free kept the scoreboard ticking over and only a point or 2 between the sides leading into the final few minutes. And what an exciting last few minutes it was, first up was a well worked moved that finished with Paul Corry on his knees shooting for goal and a good save by the Clarecastle goalie then up stepped Cathal 'Curly' Lynch to blast the ball to the back of the net to give the Bridge a 5 point lead. Clarecastle answerd with a point and did have a shot on goal saved by Mark Sheedy but we're unable to catch the Bridge who had finished the half strong.
So a necessary win for the Bridge who got the job done and get their challenge for the title back on track. Clarecastle who were without Cian Galvin will have a say yet in this championship. Good for the Bridge were Aidan Quilligan, Caimin Morey, Cathal Lynch and Paul Corry although it must be said this was an a excellent team performance that hopefully can be built on going forward. The intermediates next outing is against Whitgate next week.
Sixmilebridge Team & Scorers: Mark Sheedy, Oisin Breen (0-1), Aidan Quilligan, Adam Breen, Dara Fitzgerald (0-1), Caimin Morey (0-2, 1f, '65), Seamus O'Connell, Cathaoir Agnew (0-1), Dylan Downes (0-1), Ronan Tuohy, Jack Corry (0-1), Fionn Hayes (0-1) (Sub Cillian Custy), Paul Corry (0-8, 6f), Cathal Lynch (1-3), Daniel Chaplin (Sub Callum Phelan)
