By Eoin Brennan - The Clare Poeple

Sixmilebridge 7-13 Wolfe Tones 0-08

A SECOND HALF masterclass sealed Sixmilebridge’s  first senior silverware  in 21 years on Sunday.  In all, the wind-assisted ‘Bridge hit a remarkable total of 6-8 in the second period to put the result beyond any doubt after an evenly-matched  first half.

Considering the  final scoreline, it is difficult to believe that there was only a point between the sides at the break. Wolfe Tones had taken the game to the ‘Bridge from the outset, with Laura Linnane and Rachel O’Brien the chief scorers, to build up a 0-7 to 0-4 lead and only for fullback Maire McGrath, the Shannon side could have easily amassed a greater advantage approaching the break.

The decisive score of the half came in the 28th minute however when Aiveen O’Shea cut through the Wolfe Tones rearguard to rattle the net and awake her side from their slumber. 

Naomi Carrol tacked over a point to hand the ‘Bridge an unlikely 1-5 to 0-7 half-time lead and with the wind to come, they would have been wholly satisfied. Therefore,  they  would  have  been simply estatic to realise the  final scoreline as the unstoppable Sinead Tuohy would go on to score 4-1 in a blistering second half. With each passing goal, Wolfe Tones lowered their heads further and they were supremely punished by a ruthless Sixmilebridge side hungry for silverware. Along with Tuohy’s quartet, there were further goals from Aiveen O’Shea and Naomi Carroll as Sixmilebridge eased up to a comprehensive victory.

Sixmilebridge Niamh McInerney, Ann Sweeney, Maire McGrath, Orla Chaplin, Ciara Whelan, Chloe Morey (0-4 3f), Katie Connors, Sinead Tuohy (4-1), Bridget O’Halloran, Ali Quinlan (0-1), Aiveen O’Shea (2-1), Ellen Roche, Naomi Carroll (1-5 2f), Aine McNamara, Rachel O’Halloran (0-1)

Subs Sinead Crowe for McNamara (HT), Sinead Hyland for Chaplin (51 mins), Mairead Hyland for Quinlan (51 mins), Laura Whelan for C. Whelan  (56 mins, inj), Emma Robbins for Carroll (60 mins)

Wolfe Tones Sinead Walsh, Aoife Nihill, Avril O’Dea (Capt.), Siobhan Kelly, Leanne Boyle, Danielle McMackin, Leanne McInerney, Catherine Danagher, Aoife Kilderry, Ciara McCall (0-1f), Lorraine Carr, Laura Linnane (0-5f), Claire O’Brien, Rachel O’Brien (0-2), Liz Danagher 

Subs Tara Mulcahy for McMackin (44 mins), Mairead McKenna for Carr (44 mins), Michelle Roughan for Kelly (49 mins), Sinead Kelly for R. O’Brien (53 mins), Dawn Ryan for C. O’Brien (54 mins)

Player of the Game Sinead Tuohy (Sixmilebridge)

Referee Aidan Ryan (Parteen)