SIXMILEBRIDGE snatched a senior championship lifeline in a derby duel with Newmarket-on-Fergus which lived up to expectations.
Sixmilebridge 1-21
Newmarket-on-Fergus 2-16
Venue: Dr Daly Park, Tulla
Source: Clare Echo - Eoin Brennan
Photographs by Ruthie Griffin.
With both sides failing to get off the mark in the opening round, there were a lot more than local bragging rights at stake but while both sides had their periods of dominance and the sides were level seven times, it was a more assured Sixmilebridge that just about edged matters amidst a frantic finish.
Five clear entering the final minutes, Sixmilebridge’s degree of comfort was ransacked by a late Peter Power 1-1 burst including a 59th minute goal when put through by his younger brother Mikey to slash the arrears to just the minimum.
With the tie precariously balanced once more, up stepped substitute Sean Macnamara who immediately answered that goal with a point before doubling his side’s lead again following a monster Colin Guilfoyle free deep into injury-time to get them over the line.
It was a similar pattern in the opening period as while Newmarket probably shaded matters in terms of threat, for the second successive game they failed to ruthlessly take glorious goal chances.
In the ninth minute Sean Arthur fielded a Paudie Guilfoyle puck-out on the run and bore down on goal only to see his shot deflected just wide of the right post while ten minutes later Eanna Crimmins stormed out of defence and again split the defence with a surging run before popping a pass inside to Dara McInerney. However, he resisted just enough for Fiachra Ó Braoin to recover and avert the danger.
t the time, the Blues were 0-7 to 0-6 in front, dominated by frees for Peter Power but his counterpart Jamie Shanahan get the ‘Bridge into shape as they raided for the next five points including braces for Shanahan and David Kennedy to produce the biggest lead of the day to date at 0-11 to 0-7 nearing the half hour mark.
Newmarket appeared at sea for the very first time but received a timely boost in the 28th minute when Colin Guilfoyle’s interception saw his younger brother Eoin flick a pass inside to the overlapping Sean Arthur to power through and fire to the bottom left corner of the “Bridge net.
Mikey Power followed up with an inspirational point to regain full parity and ensure a half-time stalemate at 1-08 to 0-11.
In typical derby fashion, roles were completely reversed on the resumption as Dara Fitzgerald would benefit from the perseverance of Luke O’Halloran and Lorcan Fitzpatrick to play in the newcomer to find the net and boost Sixmilebridge 1-12 to 1-09 clear by the 34th minute.
It would be the most significant score of the day as it allowed John O’Meara’s side enough of a cushion to be able to breath and just keep the scoreboard ticking over, predominantly through Shanahan and Kennedy.
Indeed, with Newmarket craving a spark up front, Sixmilebridge actually went as much as five clear entering the final quarter despite a frantic moment when an Eanna Crimmins shot was kept out and then superbly held on the line by goalkeeper Mark Sheedy.
Newmarket did finally tee up a grandstand finish when replacement Eoin Hayes won back possession for Mikey Power to play in his sibling Peter to fire past Sheedy from close range.
Crucially however Sixmilebridge never allowed their most competitive neighbours to get level as Macanamara ensured that their senior championship hold over the Blues is extended for another year.
Scorers for Sixmilebridge: Jamie Shanahan 0-8 (5f, 1’65), David Kennedy 0-4, Dara Fitzgerald 1-1, Lorcan Fitzpatrick 0-3, Cathal Malone 0-2, Sean Macnamara 0-2, Alan Mulready 0-1
Scorers for Newmarket-on-Fergus: Peter Power 1-9 (6f, 1’65), Mikey Power 0-3, Colin Guilfoyle 0-3 (1f), Sean Arthur 1-0, John Feehily 0-1
