Sixmilebridge 4-14 Clonlara 2-10

Coming into this Championship tie played in Broadford on a Scorching Sunday all pundits were tipping a win for the Bridge following their excellent run in the league to date with wins over senior teams like Tulla and Wolfe Tones but this experienced bunch of Bridge lads knew form in League and Championship are miles apart and hunger, grit and determination would be whats needed to get over Clonlara. The Bridge delivered this performance on Sunday and while Clon put it up to the Garney siders the old cliché of Goals win matches was relevant here.

Cian Moriarty opened the scoring for Clonlara with 2 pointed frees but the Bridge free taking sniper of Sean Lynch (2) and veteran David O Connor (1) edged the Bridge ahead before Declan Morey who has returned from his exploits in Canada rattled the Clonlara net to give the Bridge a cushion they were never to give up. Michael Collins & Tom Begley combined for a major to reduce the lead to 1 point. However poor shooting from Clonlara coupled with a very energetic display from Gavin Whyte saw the Bridge lead at the short whistle by 1-09 to 1-03.

Darragh Fitzgerald got the second Bridge goal following some confusion with the Clonlara goalie to put the Bridge ahead 2-13 to 1-10 on the 52nd Minute – Then enter super sub Ronan Tuohy who hit his first greener following good work from Whyte and a second following clever combined play between Jason Loughnane and Declan Morey,

SMB: Jason Loughnane; Kevin Fennessy, Anthony Liddane, Tadgh Keogh; Stephan Mulready, Evan McInerney, Pa Mulready; Christy Griffin, Darragh O Connor(0-01); Cathal O Connor (0-01), Declan Morey (1-0), Gavin Whyte (0-03); Darragh Fitzgerald (1-0), Sean Lynch (0-05f), David O Connor (0-03)

Subs: Colm Fitzgerald (0-01f) for D. Fitzgerald (51Mins); Ronan Tuohy (2-0) for Lynch (51Mins); Ross O Donnell for Whyte (inj) (59Mins)