Gilligan has free rein as Sixmilebridge reach Clare SHC final

Sixmilebridge reached next weekend’s final as a result of a merited victory at Cusack Park, Ennis on Saturday.

With wind, rain and heavy underfoot conditions a major factor, the Bridge, playing against the wind, went in 1-4 to 0-6 ahead at the break, the goal coming from Alan Mulready.

Clonlara started the second half strongly but veteran Niall Gilligan, playing at full forward for the winners, was in fine form and his accuracy from play and placed-balls helped his club to reach the final for the second time in three years.
SIXMILEBRIDGE: D Fahy; B Carey, P Fitzgerald (0-1), T Keogh; A Quilligan, C Morey, N Purcell; K Lynch, S Morey (0-1); R Shanahan, S Golden, A Mulready (1-0); J Shanahan (0-1), N Gilligan 0-8 ( three frees, two 65s), J Fennessy. Subs: S O'Sullivan for Fennessy (52), D Morey for Lynch (60).
CLONLARA: G O'Connell; O O'Brien, D O'Donovan, P O'Hare; S O'Brien, N O'Connell (0-1), C Fennessy; M O'Loughlin, C Galvin (0-2); C O'Connell (0-5, frees) , J Conlon, C Downey; J Hastings (0-1), E Meehan, C O'Donovan (0-1). Subs: P Nihill for O'Loughlin (20), D Honan (0-1) for O'Hare (half-time), S Downey for Meehan (49).