Veteran Niall Gilligan has last word as Sixmilebridge go the distance

Sixmilebridge 1-10 Newmarket-on-Fergus 0-11

Exhibiting a tremendous second-half display, Sixmilebridge achieved their 11th title, defeating reigning champions and close neighbours Newmarket-on-Fergus in yesterday’s Clare senior hurling final at Cusack Park, Ennis.

With weather conditions dictating that open hurling was a non-starter, both sides gave their all in a tight and entertaining contest, that saw the impressive Sixmilebridge defence hold their opponents scoreless for 26 minutes after the break.

At half-time Newmarket went in 0-9 to 1-4 ahead but their inability to breach a stout ’Bridge back-line for a long period in the second-half, proved to be their undoing.

Defenders like centre-back Caimin Morey, team-captain Aidan Quilligan and Noel Purcell all had outstanding displays after the break and as a result Sixmilebridge claimed their first crown since 2002.

Veteran full-forward Niall Gilligan was also a hero on the day as the 37-year-old put in a fine performance scoring 1-6 of his side's overall tally.

The winners got off to a dream start when Gilligan fired to the Newmarket net after two minutes, from a penalty. Referee Rory Hickey awarded the free-puck after Alan Mulready was hauled down in possession, in front of goal by a defender.

Newmarket replied quickly with a pair of points by Colin Ryan from a free and a Shane Liddy effort from play.

The 'Bridge led by 1-3 to 0-2 by the 13th minute thanks to well-taken scores by centre-forward Shane Golden, Seadna Morey and a Gilligan free, after Golden was fouled.

Newmarket then began to rally and found themselves just a point adrift (1-4 to 0-6) when Ryan landed a free from halfway in the 22nd.

With the weather hampering a free-flowing game, Sixmilebridge failed to take the initiative and hit four wides on the trot during a period when they should have opened up a bigger lead.

Newmarket took up the cudgel before the interval and three scores late in the half, two by Ryan from placed balls and another from Martin O’Hanlon, saw the Blues lead by 0-9 to 1-4 at the whistle.

Crucially, it was in the third quarter that this tie was won and lost. Man-of-the-match, Jamie Shanahan grabbed the second period's opening score, a point from play inside two minutes.

A Gilligan free levelled matters on 41 minutes and another of his efforts in the 45th put ’Bridge ahead. Newmarket tried in vain to breach a stout Sixmilebridge defence and by the 52nd, two further Gilligan scores left them 1-9 to 0-9 ahead.

Substitute Mike McInerney eventually got last season’s title-holders back onto the scoreboard with a fine point after he ran at the Bridge’s rearguard, reducing the margin to two.

Colin Ryan narrowed the gap even further with a spectacular score after he trapped a dropping ball, turned and split the posts with two and a half minutes remaining. But Gilligan, grabbed the final score of the game in the 59th, coming in off the right flank and shooting the insurance point from a difficult angle.

SIXMILBRIDGE: D Fahy; A Quilligan (capt), P Fitzpatrick, T Keogh; J Fennessy, C Morey, N Purcell; K Lynch, J Shanahan (0-2); R Shanahan, S Golden (0-1), S Morey (0-1); D Morey, N Gilligan (1-6, 1-0 penalty, 0-4 frees), A Mulready. Subs: B Carey for Keogh (inj, 20 mins), P Sheehan for D Morey (36 mins), S O'Sullivan for Fennessy (60 mins).
NEWMARKET: D Duggan; E O'Brien, J McInerney, S O'Connor; N O'Connor, E Barrett (capt), A Barrett; E Hayes, M O'Hanlon (0-1); D Barrett, C Ryan (0-6, 0-5 frees), S O'Brien; R Goode (0-1), S Kelly (0-1), S Liddy (0-1). Subs: M McInerney (0-1) for Hayes (39 mins), J Liddy for S Liddy (45 mins), S Kelleher for Goode (56 mins).
Referee: R Hickey (Éire Óg)