In 2021 our Junior B's reached the county final and all seemed setup for a Fairytale ending for one of our greatest hurlers in the club Niall Gilligan was set to play his last match for the club - that game didn't go to plan with Scariff running out deserved winners by the minimal of margins - Alot of that 'Bridge team went in different directions with some taking the step up into team management, others making the step up to Intermediate and Senior so the class of 2022 were an unknown quantity for many.
Fast forward on 12 months and manager Terence Chaplin has the Bridge back in the County Final as we go in chase of our 7th title - For the record our Junior B Championship wins to date are
Junior B Championship (6) - 1946, 1974, 1985, 2000, 2010, 2013.
The last title in 2013 was played the morning after Clare won their All Ireland replay in Croke Park and despite temptations celebrations were put on hold until the Junior B was captured the following day - This has really epitomized the adult hurling teams of the club at all levels over the last number of years - Our 4 adult teams at Senior, Intermediate, Junior B and Junior C will always give a 100% commitment to the club and their team mates with the goal of doing their best every time they put on the famous Saffron and Blue of the club. It was no different in 2022 with just this week as a number of the team cut short a planned holiday to return in good time to prepare for this weekends final.
Despite losing the league final to Feakle in July on a score of 2-19 to 2-11 the Bridge hit the ground running come championship with some great displays:
Round 1: SMB 4-24 Broadford 0-04
Round 2: SMB 1-20 Clonlara 1-10
Prelim 1/4 Final: SMB 3-16 Whitegate 0-06
1/4 Final: SMB 1-16 Smith O'Briens 1-07
Semi Final: SMB 2-23 Clonlara 1-07
The team has a great blend of experience in Paul Fitzpatrick at number 6, Jason Mush Murphy at 3, Tommy Liddy and David O'Connor in the forwards while the likes of Adam Murray and Darragh Casey provide lots of youthful energy as well as bringing down the average of the team. Another aspect of this team is the number of underage coaches who are lining out - these lads are spending alot of time in the field so lets all get out an support them on Sunday as they go in search of their just reward.
Sunday at 12 noon in Clarecastle V Inagh Kilnamona.
