Crusheen 1-14 Sixmilebridge 0-16

Hopes were high but confidence was on the cautious side heading into round one of the defence of the Canon Hamilton when the Bridge crossed swords with Crusheen on Saturday evening in Cusack Park. Last years champions had started well in their league campaign to date dropping only a single point in a draw with Clonlara but everyone knew Crusheen had this game on their radar since last summer.

Given the teams played 3 times in competitive fair in 2015 and the Bridge won all encounters Crusheen would be determined to gain revenge. This coupled with 5 absentees (Shane Golden, Paidi Fitzpatrick, Brian Corry, Brian Carey, Cathal Malone) meant the Bridge would need every hop to go their way to pull through this one. With Feakle causing an upset in the game before against Cratloe it reiterated that hunger & determination wins Championship games and this proved to be the case again.

John O Meara handed a championship debut to Cathal Curley Lynch and he went on to justify his call up hurling a fine hour in the Bridge defence.

Niall Gilligan announced his presence in his 21st championship campaign with the opening score of the game from a placed ball on the 4th minute. Caimin Morey with a monster from play and Jamie Shanahan with 3 from play at centre forward were the score getters in the first half. Pat Vaughan kept the Blood & Bandages in contention with 3 points before a long delivery into the Bridge goalmouth ended in the back of the net following a flick from Fergus Kennedy in the 19th minute.

Pat Vaughan followed this with a point to put Crusheen ahead 1-04 to 0-05 before Gilligan and Shanahan responded to level matters at the short whistle.

Cillian Mullins and Gearoid O Donnell edged Crusheen ahead inside 2 minutes of the restart before a purple patch for the Bridge with Shanahan, Gilly (x2), Alex Morey and Pa Sheehan firing over to put the champions ahead 0-12 to 1-07 with 15 minutes remaining.

By the 47th minute the sides were level when Conor O Donnell and Colin Vaughan raised white flags but the Bridge through Gilligan and Sheehan upped the Ante with 2 more to restore the lead. Pat Vaughan pulled one back for Crusheen before Deasy again put 2 points between the teams with 10 minutes remaining.

Pat Vaughan again began the revival with a pointed free followed by 2 from Colin Vaughan and 1 from sub Jamie Fitzgibbon for a 4 point turnaround with 1 minute remaining. Alex Morey calmly reduced it to the minimum before turning provider for Alan Mulready whos goal chance was somehow kept out by Donal Tuohys body for a 65 metre free. Up stepped Niall Gilligan whose effort looked to be between the uprights but the umpires decided it was wide to conclude the game.

The Bridge must now take a detour if they are to defend their title – they enter round 2 with some big guns including Cratloe, Newmarket, Inagh/Kilnamona and Kilmaley. However our lads will relish the challenge and will hope when some of the reserves return to action they will still have a major say in this years championship.

For the Record this game was doubled up with the Clare cup meeting of the 2 sides so Crusheen take the 2 points for the eague encounter also. The Bridge will hope to get back to winning ways when high flying Feakle are due to visit this weekend.

SMB: Derek Fahy; Barry Fitzpatrick, Aidan Quilligan, Cathal Lynch; Noel Purcell, Caimin Morey (0-01), Kevin Lynch; Seadna Morey, Pa Shehan (0-02); Conor Deasy (0-01), Jamie Shanahan (0-04), Alex Morey (0-02); Danny Morey, Niall Gilligan (0-06 (5F)), Alan Mulready.

Subs: John Fennessy for Danny Morey (55 Mins)