Sunday morning saw a festival like atmosphere in O'Garney Park as Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry Community games under the stewardship of Kevin Phelan and Christine McNamara hosted the Clare County Hurling Finals (U10.5). Seven teams in total took part namely

Sixmilebridge/Kilmurry, Inch/Kilmaley/Connolly, Quin/Clooney, Moylussa, Cratloe, Newmarket and Doora Barefield.

The Bridge boys had an early start with a 09:15 throw in against Doora Barefield in the first quarter final. The Bridge boys hit the ground running and raced into a 1-04 lead before Barefield hit us for 3 goals mid way through the first half. Our boys showed great calmness and scored 2 quick goals to lead 3-04 to 2-00 at half time. The Bridge were quick off the blocks in the second half and hit 3-05 to a single goal for the visitors to run out winners on a score of 6-09 to 4-00.

After a short break the Bridge faced reigning champions Quin/Clooney in the semi final after they had defeated Inch/Kilmaley/Connolly. This game was a very tight affair from the off with the minimum between the teams in a low scoring first half which saw us lead 0-03 to 0-02. In the second half the Bridge boys upped the pace of the game and hit 2-05 with goals from Alex Russell and Rob O'Hara while our backs only conceded a single point as we ran out 2-08 to 0-03 winners.

The final pairing saw us face Newmarket who had recorded a big score in defeating Cratloe in the quarter final and another victory over Moylussa in the semi final. The game started off at a frantic pace as points were exchanged before Newmarket blitzed us for a hat trick of quick goals to lead 4-03 to 1-02 at the break. The Bridge boys never gave up and fought to the final whistle but had to give way to a well drilled Newmarket team who ran out 6-06 to 2-03 at the final whistle. Best of luck to Newmarket who now go on to represent Clare in the Munster finals in September.

For our boys we could not have been prouder of the way they performed across the 3 games - they showed great skills, work rate, team work and companionship throughout the day on and off the field and while the result in the final did not go their way the future is bright for this bunch.

Thanks to Kevin and Christine for organizing the competition and to the referees and officials for helping out as well as Sixmilebridge GAA for the facilities.

Some photos of the day here