*Sixmilebridge joint manager, Tommy Liddy. Photograph: Ruth Griffin
SIXMILEBRIDGE “made a statement” when eliminating Clonlara from the TUS Clare SHC quarter-finals.
Although they topped Group 4 and were unbeaten heading into the knockout stages, there was little fanfare about Sixmilebridge prior to their quarter-final with Clonlara.
Joint manager, Tommy Liddy explained that they were spurred on by being raging underdogs. “The boys have been absolutely incredible since the draw came out. I mean this was the draw they really wanted as they were taking on the best team in Clare. Nobody gave us a chance but the boys knew that if they had to make a statement, it was going to have to be against one of the top teams.
”They’ve worked so hard so they really deserve this and I’m absolutely delighted that they played so well. We started excellently but we continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over even when Clonlara got their few scores. That kept us in front and the fact that we didn’t go behind at any stage was hugely important so I’m thrilled with the performance,” he added.
Liddy expected The Bridge to deliver this level of championship performance. “I knew there was a performance coming. I mean there were patches in the Barefield game, patches during the Crusheen game and patches in the Newmarket match so I knew we there was a performance in us. I’m just happy that it came today when it was needed most for knock-out championship”.
He continued, “Derek [Fahy] made a huge save before half-time that was crucial for us, He has been immense for the ‘Bridge over the past few years and we also have a second goalie Mark [Sheedy] who have been brilliant on county squads all the way up. So Derek has to be on the top of his game every time he goes out to keep ahead of Mark. And that’s a testament to Derek as that competition keeps him razor sharp and he showed that”.
Among the areas they zoned in on for the quarter-final was executing their puck-out right, “Our puck-out worked well in the first half but credit to Clonlara as they countered that for the second quarter. It’s something that we had focused on for the past two weeks to get the puck-out right and thankfully it worked and we’re in the hat for the semi-finals”.
They are back in Cusack Park this Sunday where they face Inagh/Kilnamona, the winner advancing to the county final.
