Sixmilebridge 4-5 Inagh-Kilnamona 2-7

 Sixmilebridge faced reigning Feile champions Inagh-Kilnamona in a repeat of last year’s final. It was seen as mouth watering clash and it lived up to its billing as both sides added to a fantastic game.

The Bridge’s defence had been brilliant all day with only three points conceded in two matches with none of these scores coming from play. However they were up against a potent Inagh-Kilnamona front line. The north Clare side won the toss and opted to play with the wind hoping to give themselves an unassailable half time lead. Initially the Bridge did well to surpress the early surge but eventually the scores started to come with the wind proving to have a strong influence on proceedings. Inagh-Kilnamona raced into 1-6 to no score lead with their centre back pointing some nice frees before their full forward raised a green flag to give their side a commanding lead heading towards half time. The Bridge defence and goalkeeper Shane Whyte had done extremely well to keep the score down on the back of the Inagh-Kilnamona onslaught. On the stoke of half time Bridge pounced for what would proved to be a vital goal as a scramble in the area was eventually pulled to the net by Aidan Gallagher. The Bridge needed a fast start to the second half if they had any hope of clawing back the Inagh-Kilnamona lead and they certainly did this as they were level within the first couple of minutes and it was Agnew and Gaule who were instrumental all day that were at the forefront of the comeback. After Gaule was fouled on his way to goal the Bridge management’s decision to go for goal from the resultant 21 proved the right one as Agnew buried the ball to the back of the net. Then a minute later Agnew provided the assist as Gaule raced through to level the game with a score selector Séan Lynch would have been proud of! As the second half wore on Agnew’s influence on proceedings began to grow as he notched the next four scores of the game to put the Bridge firmly on the front foot. First his long range free found it’s way to the net, he then added a point from from play before landing two more monster points from distance either of which would be worthy of winning any match to give the Bridge a commanding six point lead. But just when it seemed that the Bridge were pulling away the north Clare side struck for 1-1 in the space of two minutes to leave two between the sides with only a few minutes remaining. The tension began to grow around Clarecastle as both sides could see victory within their grasp. After Gaule missed a chance to finish the game shooting narrowly wide it looked like it wasn’t going to be the Bridge’s day. However after great work from Leon Kelly Gaule tapped over from play and added another free with time up to give the Bridge a deserved Feile victory for the first time in six years. On a day where every player gave it their all Tiernan Agnew and Mark Gaule(who later admitted he was under pressure to score goals after witnessing trainer Séan Lynch’s hat-trick for the intermediates the night before!) stood out contributing massively to the victory.

Sixmilebridge Team: Shane Whyte, James Holloway, Lorcan Fitzpatrick, Alex Frost, Jack Corry, Tiarnan Agnew(2-3,2-0f), Conor Flynn, FionnMacgiollacorra, Jordan Downes, CiaranHassett, Ben Browne, Shane Freeman, Leon Kelly, Mark Gaule(1-2, 0-1f), Aidan Gallagher(1-0).

Subs used Johnny Hogan.

Full Panel: Shane Whyte, James Holloway, Lorcan Fitzpatrick, Alex Frost, Jack Corry, Tiarnan Agnew, Conor Flynn, FionnMacgiollacorra, Jordan Downes, Ciaran Hassett, Ben Browne, Shane Freeman, Leon Kelly, Mark Gaule,Aidan Gallagher, Cian Fawl,Sean Macnamara,Adam Fitzpatrick,Matthew Dillon and Darragh Burke.

Management Team: Jamsie Hassett, Séan Lynch, Martin Corry,Kevin Corry,John Gaule and Pa Freeman.

For more Updates go to http://www.sixmilebridgegaa.com/Home.asp

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