This article is from page 66 of the 2011-11-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 66 JPG
Sixmilebridge 2-12 – Ballyea 0-13 at Clarecastle
IT was Ballyea’s shot at a first ever Minor A title; it was Sixmilebridge’s shot at redemption – not just at minor level, but as a club after their senior championship final ‘drowning’ against the Crusheen.
Redemption it was as the ‘Bridge overcame a sluggish start to power their way to a first minor title in a decade – their lucky 13th in all as they put the nightmare of losing the last three finals in the grade behind them against a plucky, but ultimately inferior Ballyea side.
It had looked good for Ballyea as they opened up a five-point lead go ing into the last five minutes of the first half, but a storming finish by the ‘Bridge that yielded 1-2 before the break changed the complexion completely.
And, this was added to on the turnover as the ‘Bridge slowly and mercilessly killed the game, firstly with points and then with their second goal from Alan Mulready in the 50th minute.
The power-play either side of the half-time was the winning of the game for the ‘Bridge – the losing of it for Ballyea who had been overwhelmed and outscored by 2-8 to 0-1 by a ‘Bridge side intent on blowing their opposition away.
You could say that this tone was set early on with seven yellow cards were brandished by Kevin Walsh and just over seven minutes gone.
It was that kind of game – tempestuous at times, but never out of hand as the two best minor sides in the county slugged it out for the Willie Chaplin Cup.
The scoring was opened by Jamie Shanahan when he landed a point from play in the first minute but two Tony Kelly points had Ballyea ahead by the tenth minute.
From there Ballyea pressed on with the impressive Stan Lineen edging the black and amber further ahead in the 14th minute before Kelly’s third point from play gave them a 0-4 to 0-1 lead by the 16th minute.
The ‘Bridge did stop the rot with a Jamie Shanahan point on 22 minutes but rapid-fire efforts from Aonghus Keane, Tony Kelly and Gearóid O’Connell had Ballyea 0-7 to 0-2 clear by the 26th minute and in control.
However, by half-time the pendulum had swung the other way. Points by Seadna Morey and Darragh Fitzgerald either side of added time and then a goal from Alex Morey brought the sides level, Sixmilebridge 1-4, Ballyea 0-7.
The ‘Bridge were only starting, something they hammered home in decisive fashion on the turnover. Tony Kelly’s 36th minute effort was all Ballyea had to show for their early efforts while the ‘Bridge sprinted clear by adding 1-6 to their tally. Ballyea’s cause was not helped by the relocation of Tony Kelly to full forward for a spell, the Clare star having to be returned to midfield where he once again found a supply of ball.
A brace by the impressive Conor Deasy by the 43rd minute edged the ‘Bridge 1-8 to 0-8 clear, before points by Brian Carey and Alan Mulready stretched the gap to five by the threequarter stage.
Then county minor star Mulready applied the killer blow – driving through the middle for a goal in the 50th minute that put the ‘Bridge 2-10 to 0-8 clear and with a double scores lead they were out of sight.
Almost that is because, because five-in-a-row from never-say-die Ballyea – four of which came from Tony Kelly and the other from Ryan Griffin – brought it back to a threepoint game by the 58th minute.
A goal could have saved them, but in truth it never looked like coming as the ‘Bridge just drew breath, steadied and added points from Sean Lynch and Seadna Morey to give them the victory their display thoroughly deserved.
Sixmilebridge
Pa Freeman, Eoin Hogan, Conlith Agnew(0-1), Evan McInerney, Darragh McNamara, Seadna Morey (0-2), Dylan Fleming, Brian Carey (0-1), John Mulready, Brian Corry, Jamie Shanahan (0-2), Darragh Fitzgerald (0-1),Alex Morey (1-1),Alan Muready (1-1), Conor Deasy (0-2, 1f).
Subs
Sean Lynch (0-1) for J Mulready, David Murphy for Fitzgerald.
Ballyea
Conor Harkins, Darragh Crowe, Eoin Donnellan, Lee Brady,Aonghus Keane (0-1), Jack Browne, Joe Neylon,Tony Kelly (0-9, 3f), Gearóid O’Connell (0-1), Ryan Griffin (0-1), Stan Lineen (0-1),Tadhg Lynch, Paul Meaney, Niall Deasy, Diarmuid Lorrigan.
Subs
Lee Sherlock for Lorrigan,Alan Dalton for Meaney.
Man of Match
Tony Kelly (Ballyea) Referee KevinWalsh (WolfeTones)