Source: The Clare Echo

Tubber 2-12 Sixmilebridge 1-11
Venue: Clareabbey

Tubber bounced back into contention for intermediate championship honours when they overcame hitherto unbeaten Sixmilebridge on Saturday evening.

Having suffered a surprise defeat to Killanena in the opening round, Tubber weent into Saturday’s game knowing that anything other than victory would leave them depending on other results if they were to qualify.

As things turned out they have ended the group stage on the same points as both Sixmilebridge and Killanena which means that scoring difference will determine the placings and this sees Killanena lose out as Sixmilebridge top the group with Tubber in second place.

Points were exchanged twice in the opening minutes before Tubber landed three in a row and they increased their lead to four by the mid point of the half.

The game’s opening goal came in the twentieth minute when Clive Earley struck and this score helped the winners to a six point interval lead when the score was 1-9 to 0-6.

The ‘Bridge made a great start to the second half and a Sean Lynch point was followed by a goal from David O’Connor in the eighth minute.

Tubber responded impressively and Blaine Earley struck for his team’s second goal within a minute, converting a penalty, and this proved to be a huge score in this tie.

Two Sixmilebridg points followed to leave a goal between the teams as the end of the third quarter approached.

An overall sharper Tubber side responded with three in a row as they powered on to victory. Ronan Monahan, Mark Earley, Domhnall McMahon and the Earley brothers Clive and Blaine were prominent throughout for the winners in a tie which produced some very good hurling on a well appointed pitch.

Tubber: Ronan Taaffe; Joey Droney, James Howard, Declan Ryan; Mark Earley, Pappy Taaffe, John Fawle; Ronan Monahan (0-4), Lorcan O’Grady; Cathal Droney, Domhnall McMahon (0-3), Aidan McNamara; Clive Earley (1-0), Aidan Forde, Blaine Earley (1-4);

Subs: Jonah Culligan (0-1) for A. McNamara; Justin McMahon for Forde; Shane O’Connor for Fawle

Sixmilebridge: Colm Fitzgerald; Adam Breen, Leon Kelly, Jordan Downes; Cillian Custy, Kevin Lynch, Danny Morey; Cathaoir Agnew, Luke Keogh, Sean Lynch (0-8 5f, 3’65s), Cathal Lynch (0-1), Sean MacNamara (0-1); Jack Corry, David O Connor (1-0), Paul Corry (0-1)

Subs Stephen Mulready for Jack Corry; Aidan Quilligan for Danny Morey (inj)

Referee: Johnny Healy (Smith O’Briens)