Source: Irish Examiner
A first ever Cusack Park shootout in the Clare SHC saw Sixmilebridge pip Inagh-Kilnamona
A first ever Cusack Park shootout in the Clare SHC saw Sixmilebridge pip Inagh-Kilnamona
Clare SHC semi-final: Sixmilebridge 0-28 Inagh-Kilnamona 1-25 (4-3 on pens)
Sixmilebridge’s remarkable renaissance continued unabated after shading a mammoth 150-minute semi--final over Inagh-Kilnamona in a first-ever penalty shoot-out in Cusack Park.
Former county senior Jamie Shanahan proved the hero by drilling a sudden death penalty past goalkeeper Eamonn Foudy before All-Star David Fitzgerald’s attempt just cleared the crossbar at 4-3 as Sixmilebridge advanced to a novel decider against Feakle in a fortnight’s time.
Having captured five Canon Hamilton crowns in eight years up to 2020, the Bridge’s most successful generation looked to be on the wane as they failed to even emerge from their group in 2023. However, they have bounced back superbly this year, remaining the only unbeaten side and again rolled with the punches when finding themselves trailing by four in both halves.
Inagh-Kilnamona, seeking only their second-ever final appearance, couldn’t have asked for a better start as newcomer Fred Hegarty batted to the net after only 20 seconds.
With Clare stars Aidan McCarthy and David Fitzgerald adding points, Tomas Kelly’s side powered 1-2 to 0-1 clear after five minutes. Sixmilebridge not only settled but managed to defy the conditions to hit the next six points as a trio of Alex Morey frees were bolstered by Brian Corry, Jamie Shanahan and David Kennedy to turn the tide at 0-7 to 1-2.
Inagh-Kilnamona hit six wides in the same period but Aidan McCarthy’s brilliance brought three further points from play and they quickly wrestled back control at 1-7 to 0-8 by the 23rd minute.
It could have been even better had Sean Rynne been able to convert a glorious goal chance. However, his batted effort was repelled by goalkeeper Derek Fahy.
Rynne and three more Aidan McCarthy points did accentuate Inagh-Kilnamona’s edge, while a last gasp Alex Morey free lessened the damage to three by the break at 1-11 to 0-11.
That margin was maintained into the final quarter too before a wind-assisted Sixmilebridge finally made Inagh-Kilnamona sweat. Jason Loughnane and Alex Morey slashed the arrears to the minimum by the 52nd minute at 1-16 to 0-18.
Inagh-Kilnamona suffered a major blow when Keith White was issued a second yellow card in the 55th minute, a numerical disadvantage that an evergreen ‘Bridge fully exploited with four of the next five points.
Crucially Seamus Foudy coolly regain parity on the restart, while both sides would finish with 14 men when Shane Golden was also dismissed for a second yellow before the relieving sound of the final whistle at 1-19 to 0-22.
Their seesaw tussle for supremacy was sustained in extra-time as Aidan McCarthy helped Inagh-Kilnamona to move two clear before Sixmilebridge answered with the next five points as Jamie Shanahan (3) and Brian Corry (2) established a 0-28 to 1-22 cushion with just four minutes remaining.
Inagh-Kilnamona refused to yield though, with a brace of McCarthy frees sandwiching a Conner Hegarty point to force a first ever penalty showdown.
The sides would end up taking seven penalties apiece, with both goalkeepers scoring twice and saving twice to leave this tense finale on a knife-edge.
Jamie Shanahan would also score a brace including the decisive seventh that ultimately catapulted the ‘Bridge back into a first final in four years.
Scorers for Inagh-Kilnamona: A McCarthy 0-13 (8f); C Hegarty 0-4, D Fitzgerald 0-3; F Hegarty 1-0; S Rynne, E McNamara 0-2 each; S Foudy 0-1
Scorers for Sixmilebridge: A Morey 0-11 (9f); J Shanahan 0-7 (3f); B Corry 0-5; D Kennedy 0-2; L Fitzpatrick, J Loughnane, A Mulready 0-1 each
INAGH-KILNAMONA: E Foudy; C Rynne, S Woods, K White; J Hegarty, J McCarthy, D Fitzgerald; C Hegarty, S Foudy; D Cullinan, S Rynne, F Hegarty; A McCarthy, E Foudy, N Mullins
Subs: E McNamara for Mullins (39), M Callinan for Cullinan (53), G Barry for F. Hegarty (54), C Shannon for Foudy (57), J Griffin for Callinan (70), B Foudy for J. Hegarty (74), D Mescall for Barry (76, inj)
SIXMILEBRIDGE: D Fahy; C Flynn, B Fitzpatrick, S Morey; N Purcell, P Fitzpatrick, C Deasy; J Loughnane, M O’Halloran; L Fitzpatrick, J Shanahan, S Golden; B Corry, A Morey, D Kennedy
Subs: C Morey for Purcell (44), A Mulready for Kennedy (51), F Ó Braoin for L. Fitzpatrick (56), L Fitzpatrick for A. Morey (69)
Referee: A Hogg (Clonlara)
