Bridge United was founded in 1967 to provide a sporting and social outlet for the inhabitants of Sixmilebridge and its environs. The founder members of the club were Rory McNamara, Paddy Cooney and Mikey Whyte.  Its teams play in the Clare Soccer League and it is affiliated to the Munster Football Association and the Football Association of Ireland.

 

The first committee elected were Paddy Cooney as Chairman, Michael Whyte (Secretary) and Paddy Whyte (Treasurer). 

From 1967, when the club was formed to the present day it has been fortunate enough to have had an excellent voluntary committee who has guided the club through its ups and downs. It's ups has seen us grow from a one to eight club team including two schoolgirls sides as well as an academy structure to cater for the 6-10 age group.  It's downs would be our struggle to improve our facilities, a struggle we aim to overcome and are well on the way to doing so.

The club since its formation have had to move home 5 times and on each occasion has had to prepare, level and set out a pitch to meet Clare League standards.

The club set out with one side originally and played in the old Second Division.

BRIDGE UTD - FIRST GAME

The Club's first game was against Miltown Malbay in 1967/68 Season. This game was played at Our Lady's pitch in Ennis, the "Bridge" won this game when Kevin "Trixie" Twomey scored the only goal of the game.

FIRST SUCCESS - 2ND DIVISION LEAGUE WINNERS 1968/69

Back Row: Pat Darcy, PJ Keane, John Nash (RIP), Christy Murphy, Jim Murphy, Paddy Mulready

Front: Paddy Hickey (RIP), Mick O'Shea (Captain), Mikey Whyte, Mike Keogh, Johnny Frost

 

May 1969/70 - 2nd Division Champions once again

Back Row: Paddy Cooney (Manager), Kevin 'Trixie Toomey RIP, Gerry Earls, Paddy Whyte, Christy Murphy, J Frost, Tom Reidy

Front: Paddy Hickey RIP, Packie Murphy, Brendan Keane RIP, Mick O'Shea (Captain), Johnny Frost, Mikey Whyte, C Kearney.

 

1971/72 - Haughey Cup & Munster Junior Cup Winners(Clare Area)

The clubs first cup win was in the 1971 /72 season when they beat Gardisette 2-1. The goals on the day were scored by Trixie Toomey and a brilliant indovidual effort by Gerry 'Gerson' Earls who tantilised the Gardisette full backs all afternoon. Other noticeable performances on the day were those of Mick O'Shea Snr, Tony Lee, Tony Platt, Mikey Whyte and Pat 'Arnie' Murphy who as a 17 year old picked up his first of 3 Haughy Cup Medals.

Fact or Fiction?? Paddy ' Cooper' Whyte introduced white boots to Clare Football?

 

BRIDGE UNITED - First Division Winners 1975

Back Row: Brendan Keane (RIP)‚ Kevin 'Trixie' Toomey (RIP)‚ Eddie Deignan‚ Tony Platt‚ PJ Keane‚ Tony Mcgelligott‚ Toastal Devanney‚ Paddy Whyte

Front Row: Jackie Ryan‚ Paddy Hickey (RIP)‚ Mick O'Shea‚ Mikey Whyte‚ Mascot Alan Whyte‚ Tony Lee‚ Arnie Murphy‚

 

BRIDGE UTD - Cup Winners 1977

The Clubs second Cup success came in 1976/77 Season when they beat a fancied Newmarket Celtic team by 1 - 0 Tim Crowe getting the only goal of the game.

Mick O'Shea Snr., who has given a tremendous amount of time and effort to the club since its foundation, managed them. Mick was one of the best centre‑halves in Clare Soccer for years till he called it a day and became a successful manager with the soccer club.

Mick has also stood between the posts for the Bridge Senior hurling team. The Panel that day was Sean McInerney, Paddy Deegan, Paddy Whyte, Mick O'Shea Snr., Tony Dea, P. J. "Bite your legs" Keane who was captain, Ritchie Moloney, Michael Whyte, Tim Crowe, Gerry Nash, Paddy Mulready, Christy Murphy, Niall Gavin.

1981/82 - 1^st Division League Champions,  Munster Junior Cup (Clare Area), Hermitage Tournament

 

 

 

Haughey Cup Winners 1984

There third success in the Haughey Cup was in 1983/84 Season when they beat a strong Kilrush side by 2 ‑ 1 after extra time. Match winner that day was Eric Greene who scored both goals, the winner coming from the penalty spot after Flan McInerney had been brought down.

The headline in the "Clare Champion" on the Tuesday before the game was "Eric Green can prove to be match winner" how right they were.

The Murphy family provided the team with four players that year "Christy, Leo, Jimmy and Pakie, better known as "Arnie".

Back: Frankie McMahon, Christy Murphy, Eric Greene, Willie Frawley, Leo Murphy, Jimmy Murphy, Noel O Gorman

Front: Eamonn Murphy, John Kelly RIP, Michael ' Speedie' O'Shea, Paddy Mulready (Captain), Christy Shannon, Arnie Murphy, Brian Murphy (Mascot). Missing from photo: Flan McInerney, Barney Lynch.

Interesting Fact!! Eric Greene scored in every round of the Cup campaign and his converted penalty earned Bridge the Haughey Cup Title.

 BRIDGE UNITED - Premier League Champions 2002/03

BRIDGE UNITED - Premier League Champions 2005/06