CLARE SHC FINAL Crusheen 0-10 Sixmilebridge 0-4:CRUSHEEN WERE crowned Clare senior hurling champions yesterday for the second time in their 124-year history, putting back-to-back titles together, after an enormous effort, despite the dreadful conditions at Cusack Park, Ennis.
Played for the most part in a downpour and with quagmire-like underfoot conditions, any prospect of quality hurling was scratched from the agenda from the throw-in.
Nevertheless, credit must go to all the players for producing such a tenacious contest that saw Crusheen pull away from Sixmilebridge, who were seeking an 11th title, in the second half.
A towering display from the Crusheen half-back line, especially in the opening half, laid the foundation for victory and it was fitting that centre half back Cian Dillon was the recipient of the man-of-the-match award afterwards.
Jamie Fitzgibbon, the Crusheen centre forward, eluded some intense pressure to grab the game’s opening score in the fourth minute. By the 16th minute, the champions were 0-3 to 0-1 in front with veteran Niall Gilligan registering Sixmilebridge’s first score from a free.
Paddy Vaughan and Fitzgibbon, once more were the Crusheen marksmen. Gilligan had a chance to fire his side in front in the 24th minute when, after he was hauled down by Crusheen’s Alan Brigdale, the referee awarded a penalty.
The veteran full forward’s goal attempt sailed over the bar to leave the sides level at three points apiece. Gearóid O’Donnell’s point on 27 minutes put Crusheen in front, 0-4 to 0-3, at interval.
Shortly after the restart, Sixmilebridge threatened the Crusheen goal as Gilligan collected Tadhg Keogh’s long delivery and advanced on goal. But he mishit his shot under pressure and another opportunity was wasted.
Paddy Vaughan hit the “Bridge” upright from a sideline cut early in the half to produce his side’s first wide of the day before a scoring purple patch put daylight between the sides, during a short three-minute spell. O’Donnell, Paddy Meaney, O’Donnell again and Fergus Kennedy hit four unanswered points between the 39th and 42nd to give Crusheen a vital edge on the scoreboard.
With the outstanding Cian Dillon to the fore, the title-holders dominated proceedings.
The ’Bridge definitely struggled more to acclimatise to the dreadful conditions. A better first touch and a more focused outlook helped to seal a merited victory for Crusheen who, like last year, built their success on a dynamic and extra solid back line.
Sixmilebridge will be disappointed to have scored only one point after the break, a Gilligan effort from play in the 59th minute, as they played second fiddle to the reigning champions.
CRUSHEEN: D Tuohy; J Brigdale, Cronan Dillon, A Brigdale; C O'Doherty, Cian Dillon, Cathal Dillon; P Vaughan (0-2, frees), J Meaney; G O'Donnell (0-3), J Fitzgibbon (0-2), D Forde; P Meaney (0-2), G O'Grady, F Kennedy (0-1).
SIXMILEBRIDGE: D Fahy; T Keogh, A Quilligan, S Morey; J Fennessy, P Fitzpatrick, R Conlon; S Golden, T Carmody; J Shanahan, R Shanahan, Declan Morey; Danny Morey (0-1), N Gilligan (0-3, two frees), C Morey. Subs: T Purcell for Conlon (46), B Culbert for Declan Morey (46), D OConnor for Carmody (55).
Referee: R Hickey(Éire Óg, Ennis).
