On Tuesday evening we were served up an absolute cracking game in the quarter final of Clare U12 Cup. In a first half that was played at an absolute electric pace it was the visitors who took an early lead from a brilliant finish from Jason Hayes. Bridge replied on 10 minutes when Patrick Lonergan cut back on his right foot to bend the ball to the far top right corner. Another cracking goal!

On the cusp of HT the visitors took the lead once more when confusion from a corner allowed Xavi Scanlon bundle the ball to the net. However and crucially the visitors did not see the lead through to HT and Ciaran Collins equalised with the final action of the half when he finished high to the roof if the net with his first action after being introduced as a substitution.

Bridge started the second half in a more controlled manner to the frantic first half and kept possession of the ball in some good periods. It took 15 minutes of the second half for the hosts to take the lead for the first time in the tie when Aleks Gladyzs won possession in the Avenue box and kept his calm to finish to the corner. Bridge went 4-2 up with 10 minutes to go when the ball fell to Devin Downes from all of 40 yards and his brilliant effort gave the keeper no chance.

Avenue refused to give up however and were back in the game with 5 minutes to play through a Graham Ball penalty. Bridge held on in what was an excellent advert for U12 soccer in Clare, both sides giving their absolute all. Bridge now play an away semi final next Tuesday against the winners of Avenue Yellow and Shannon Town.

Bridge Squad: Luke Canny, Rory Chaplin, Jack O’Halloran, Devin Downes, Zak Phelan, Patrick Lonergan, Donal O’Leary, Luke Deegan, Killian Slater, Alex Gladyzs, Conor Gleeson, Aidan Moloney, Ciaran Collins, Lochlainn Collins