Great Clare GAA Rivalries: St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield v Sixmilebridge

St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield v Sixmilebridge

It is no surprise that Clare’s golden era of 1995-2002 had a dramatic effect on club hurling in the county with Sixmilebridge (twice), Wolfe Tones, Clarecastle and St. Joseph’s (twice) going on to win the Munster club title and these two aristocrats claiming All-Ireland glory. Hurling was never in greater health with some of the club matches of that time living long in the memory of all supporters of the small ball. Of course, our ancient game brings passion, rivalry and skill to the table with one such fixture Sixmilebridge and St. Joseph’s a real appetiser during the 90’s and early 00’s.

The connection goes further back to the 50’s and 60’s where they met on three occasions with the likes of Matt Nugent, Mick Hayes (St. Joseph’s), Dick Barron and Mick O’Shea (Sixmilebridge) doing battle. 1956 was the year when they first crossed paths with the ‘Bridge prevailing before 1961 and 1962 produced similar outcomes. St. Joseph’s were county champions in 1954 while the ‘Bridge were no slouches either annexing two Clare Champion cup’s and contesting the 62 county final which gives us an insight into the quality of those involved. While Sixmilebridge prospered in the 70’s, St. Joseph’s went into a decline of sorts starting with their comprehensive 1974 loss to a ‘Bridge fifteen void the services of nine regulars. They did however amalgamate with some success with Kilmaley and Our Lady’s Hospital in 1979 with the PJ Purcell captained St. Brendan’s reaching the showcase final only for their future great rivals to give them a bit of a trimming. It was no surprise given all their underage glory during this period that the ‘Bridge would add a few more senior titles in the 80’s and early 90’s when Barefield were languishing at intermediate level.

Fast-forward to 1993, St. Joseph’s are crowned intermediate champions and on their first year back in the premier grade they contest the 94 final with Clarecastle. The young guard versus the experienced guard saw the Magpies win the day and the title but it was evident that St. Joseph’s were back where they belong. 1995 heralded a new era for Clare hurling with Munster and All-Ireland glory, that same season Sixmilebridge pipped Scariff in the final. They opened their shoulders up when they got to Munster with a crushing defeat of Éire Óg, Nenagh in the final before going all the way to All-Ireland success on 17^th March 1996 by virtue of seeing over Dunloy. Little did they know what it would kick start for other club sides. While all this was going on St. Joseph’s were making steady progress with the calibre of Ollie Baker, Seanie McMahon and Jamesie O’Connor meaning they need not wait long for that elusive title.

 Jamesie O'Connor (St. Joseph's) and John O'Connell (Sixmilebridge) during the 1999 final

The year of 1997 re ignited the rivalry between both clubs after St. Joseph’s robbed the ‘Bridge of a final appearance with a last gasp Ollie Baker goal. This came about after a Seanie McMahon long range free was doubled to the net by Baker in the final minute to see the Parish turn a one point deficit into a two point lead that they would never relinquish with Gerry McInerney tasting defeat in his final game for the ‘Bridge. A first final in four years ended in defeat to Clarecastle but all present could sense a new team would soon leave their mark. 1998 will always live long in the memory of all within the Doora, Barefield, Gurteen and Roslevan bounds, a first round win over great rivals Sixmilebridge set them on their way to glory with a final win seeing them edge out Kilmaley before they went on to greater things. First up they beat Toomevara to clinch the Munster cup before seeing off Rathnure in the All-Ireland equivalent, emulating their O’Garney counterparts.

Their fierce rivalry was exemplified again in 99 when they locked horns with the ‘Bridge men in the county final, having led for most of the game the Parish won out by two goals as they were beginning to have the Indian sign over the Christy “Rusty” Chaplin captained side. Another Munster cup was annexed at the expense of Ballygunner that before the double chasing Barefield lost out to Athenry in the 2000 March 17^th showpiece. Sixmilebridge were coming again and won the county title in 2000 with Éire Óg being vanquished before once again the Parish met them in the 2001 decider. Similar to the 99 one this was one that St. Joseph’s deserved as they made it three titles in four years. Names such as Ollie and Grey Baker, Seanie McMahon, Jamesie and Christy O’Connor, Ger and David Hoey, Ken Kennedy (St. Joseph’s), Niall Gilligan, Christy “Rusty” Chaplin, Davy Fitzgerald, John O’Connell, Pat Hayes, Martin Conlon, John Reddan and Michael O’Halloran (‘Bridge) spring to mind as some of those that made these games memorable. 2002 saw the ‘Bridge start to get on top shown by a comprehensive victory over the Parish in the group stages as they went on to win the county title.

Another victory followed for the ‘Bridge in 2003 before St. Joseph’s exacted revenge in 05. However by this stage both sides challenge had fizzled out somewhat with other clubs coming up to take their throne. All they could muster between 2003 and 2010 was a solitary final appearance between the two with the Parish reaching the 2004 final only for Kilmaley to get revenge for 98. Recent years proved fruitful for Joseph’s when they clashed with their former great rivals courtesy of a good win in 2008 followed by a narrow success the following year.

If we survey the two clubs’ now at this present time it is evident that Barefield are at the lower end of the spectrum having failed to emerge from the group while Sixmilebridge are a coming team, semi finalists for the past two years they will hope to reach the county final when they play Cratloe later today.