Clare Senior Hurling Championship Final

SIXMILEBRIDGE 0-21 CRATLOE 0-15

By Eoin Brennan at Cusack Park

Sixmilebridge confirmed their status as the team of the decade in Clare after securing their fourth senior hurling title in seven years in front of 6.330 in Cusack Park, Ennis.

After bridging an 11 year gap in 2013, the 'Bridge have subsequently added another Canon Hamilton Cup ever second year since, all against different opponents, before fittingly ending the teens with a historic Garneyside derby triumph over Cratloe.

And their latest crown was fully merited as the Davy Fitzgerald coached side outscored their neighbours by 0-17 to 0-8 in the last three quarters of a surprisingly low-key decider to complete a perfect five match championship record in 2019..

Cratloe, for whom this was their second consecutive final defeat, had began in blistering fashion with Rian Considine (2), Shane Gleeson (2) along with midfield duo Conor McGrath and Enda Boyce helping the 2014 champions to a 0-6 to 0-2 cushion by the tenth minute.

However, a leg injury to 2013 All Star McGrath severely hampered their progress thereafter as despite being switched to corner-forward, the captain's absence from the centre would be a decisive turning point.

Sixmilebridge took full advantage to turn the tide, despite playing into the conditions, as led by Alex Morey (3) and Cathal Malone (2) in particular, they grabbed seven of the next eight points in a ten minute purple patch to inch in front for the first time at 0-9 to 0-7.

It was a margin that they would protect until the break after goalkeeper Derek Fahy repelled a late McGrath effort at 0-11 to 0-09.

Cratloe did level up the tie for the third time three minutes into the new half, thanks to a brace of Shane Gleeson frees, but it would only be a momentary reprieve as Sixmilebridge upped the ante with another six point burst to carve out a 0-17 to 0-12 advantage by the turn of the final quarter.

Cratloe also had a glorious opportunity to grab a lifeline entering the final ten minutes but the ever-impressive Diarmuid Ryan's powerful effort following a mazy solo run from Podge Collins flashed wide of the left post.

And with that went their hopes of a third county crown as a relieved Sixmilebridge equalled any further backlashes before the dominant Cathal Malone fittingly capped off an assured collective display with his fourth point of the day to cement a 13th Clare Senior Hurling Championship for the club.

Scorers for Sixmilebridge: Alex Morey 0-8 (7fs), Cathal Malone 0-4, Brian Corry, Jamie Shanahan, and Conor Deasy 0-2 each, Jason Loughnane, Shane Golden, and Barry Fitzpatrick 0-1 each.

**Scorers for Cratloe: **Shane Gleeson 0-5 (3fs), Diarmuid Ryan 0-3, Rian Considine and Cathal McInerney 0-2 each, Conor McGrath, Enda Boyce, andBilly Connors (f) 0-1 each.

**SIXMILEBRIDGE **Derek Fahy; Brian Carey, Noel Purcell, Barry Fitzpatrick; Pa Mulready, Caimin Morey, Seadna Morey; Evan McInerney, Paidí Fitzpatrick; Jason Loughnane, Shane Golden, Jamie Shanahan; Alex Morey, Cathal Malone, Brian Corry

**Subs: **Conor Deasy for Loughnane (HT), Alan Mulready for Corry (59), Kevin Lynch for A. Morey (60), Niall Gilligan for Shanahan (62), Cathal Lynch for McInerney (62)

**CRATLOE **Gearoid Ryan; Martin 'Óige' Murphy, Mikey Hayes, Shane O'Leary; Damien Browne, Diarmuid Ryan, Liam Markham; Conor McGrath, Enda Boyce; Shane Gleeson, Billy Connors, Sean Collins; Podge Collins, Cathal McInerney, Rian Considine

Subs: Sean Chaplin for Connors (HT), David Collins for S. Collins (38), Jack McInerney for McGrath (51).

REFEREE: Niall Malone (Éire Óg)