Killanena 1-05 Sixmilebridge 4-24 

Author: Da Junior B Scribe

May manager of the month, Mikey Corbett, is odds on to win the coveted award for the second month in succession following his sides comprehensive 4-24 to 1-5 victory over Killanena in the penultimate round of the Junior B League. 

The men from the banks of the Garney made the long journey north, to take on the second string of the men from the shores of Lough Graney, on Saturday evening.

It was pleasing to see the hard work been done on the training ground translated into another fluid performance where Sixmilebridge excelled all over the field. To be fair to the players, they have been putting in a huge shift in training since the league started and the benefits of this are becoming evident .

Kilbeacanty native Ross O'Donnell must have felt right at home returning to his neighbouring parish in a Sixmilebridge jersey, and it showed in his excellent performance, notching up five points from play and getting through an amount of good work.

The nature of the game allowed Sixmilebridge to give substantial game time to 19 players. Indeed the subs who came on proved just as good as those who started. Ed Skehan scored two sublime points from difficult angles after replacing Caimin Barret. Alan McAuley displayed cat like reflexes to deny the hosts a certain goal from a 21 yard free after replacing Eamonn O'Donoghue. While Dublin exile Niall Hogan and long-time Junior B stalwart Brian O'Loughlin also did well when introduced. Hogan came on wing back which gave Johnnie Hayes the opportunity to partner Kieran Liddane in midfield. Hayes was outstanding after his move to the middle.

After the game, the team’s strength and conditioning coach, James Liddane, was pleased with how the players dealt with the game. Speaking to Highland radio Liddane said "We are delighted with the performance today. A lot goes on behind  the scenes to have the lads in tip top shape - we felt that Lockie was over-doing it in training and in danger of burnout, so we sent him away to Santa Ponsa for a week of warm weather recovery , and look at the man today when he came on - as tanned as Beyonce and hurling like Lohan"

Liddane also gave a fascinating insight into some of his training techniques "Some of these lads need to be man managed. Did you see Hayso today when he moved out midfield, he was unbelievable. Hayso doesn't like the gym, but Hayso has assured me that he is doing 10 reps 5 times a day of lifting a washing machine over his head".

Neither Johnnie Hayes or Brian O'Loughlin were available for comment after the game.

Best for the Bridge were the aforementioned Johnnie Hayes, along with  Michael O'Halloran, Ross O'Donnell and captain for the day Jamie Lyons.

Next up for Corbetts charges is the visit of Smith O'Briens to Sixmilebridge next Saturday evening at 7.30pm. Smith O'Briens will offer a stern test in the last round of the league before the preparations for championship begin in earnest. Incidentally, the first round of championship will be against Kilmaley on the weekend of July 14th, in a group also comprised of Clonlara and the beaten finalists in 2016 and 2017 - close neighbours Newmarket. 

Scorers

James O'Neill 2-2 , Jamie Lyons 1-4, Errol Touhy 1-2, Ross O'Donnell 0-5,  Mike O'Halloran 0-4 (2 frees), Barry Corbett 0-2, Kieran Liddane 0-2, Ed Skehan 0-2, Niall Hogan 0-1 

Team

Eric Purcell

Eamonn O'Donoghue, Mark O'Donovan, Billy Maxwell;

Johnnie Hayes, David O'Meara, Eric Lynch;

Kieran Liddane, Michael O'Halloran;

Ross O'Donnell, Errol Touhy, Barry Corbett;

Caimin Barrett, James O'Neill,  Jamie Lyons (Capt)

Subs

Alan McAuley for Eamonn O'Donoghue

Brian O'Loughlin for Mark O'Donovan

Niall Hogan for Michael O Halloran

Ed Skehan for Caimin Barrett