Sixmilebridge have exited the race for the Canon Hamilton Cup after losing to Cratloe by 1-15 to 1-18 at Cusack Park yesterday.

Last year's champions recovered from a slow start to draw level on 0-4 each, but Cratloe then upped the ante, hitting 1-2 in the space of two minutes with Conor McGrath getting the goal after being set up by Sean Collins. Joe McGrath's men went on to lead by 1-10 to 0-8 at the interval.

The 'Bridge had wind advantage in the second half and had reduced the deficit to the minimum within two minutes of the restart thanks to a goal from veteran Niall Gilligan and a brace of Shane Golden points, with Sean Collins replying for the winners.

Crucially, though, the champions were unable to regain parity as points from McGrath and Collins opened up a four-point gap, 1-16 to 1-12, by the end of the third quarter.

The 'Bridge had a glorious opportunity to get themselves back into it when they were awarded a penalty, but Jamie Shanahan's shot was saved, while Shane Golden was also denied by 'keeper Gearoid Ryan in the dying moments as Cratloe held on for the win.

While Cratloe are through the quarter-finals, Sixmilebridge will find themselves in relegation trouble if they fail to beat Kilmaley in their final group game.

In yesterday's opening game at Cusack Park, O'Callaghan's Mills hammered St. Joseph's Doora Barefield by 4-13 to 1-8 to secure their place in the knockout stages. Tweet

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