Super sub Nevin stars as Caragh edge Confey in Kildare SFC cracker

Caragh 1-17

Confey 1-16

Caragh came out on top in their Kildare SFC Group D Round Two clash with Confey to move onto to four points after a win over Eadestown last time out. Austin Nevin hit a crucial 0-4 off the bench in just 10 minutes of play time to kick his side over the line in this tight and tense encounter.

Caragh got the game’s opening score through Darragh Swords after 12 seconds for the first point of a cracking first half.

Confey answered in the third minute with a Niall Carney two-pointer free to lead.

Brian Grimes pushed Confey two clear in the fifth minute, but Caragh responded inside the same 60 seconds through Kevin Campbell.

Confey then moved three clear after a brilliant Josh Collins two-pointer from play. A lead they held through the 10th minute after a further point at either end.

Caragh reduced the gap on the quarter of the hour mark through Kevin Campbell who beat his man before fisting over the bar from close-range.

Campbell’s side were level when Dan Lynam picked up where he left off last week and curled over a gorgeous two-pointer.

Brian Grimes restored Confey’s advantage with back-to-back points from after some sharp passing up front to lead 0-8 to 0-6.

A minute from the break and Caragh led for the first time since the first minute when Kevin Campbell found the net after being slipped in by Conor Sullivan. The corner-forward spun superbly and found the corner of the net in confident style.

Confey went back to the well (the arc) for their response and Josh Collins grabbed his second superb double to put them back ahead.

Caragh nailed the final score of the half through Darragh Swords whose effort of his weaker side sent the teams in level at 1-7 to 0-10.

Two Niall Carney scores with just one headed the other way had Confey ahead after the restart. That was until an exceptional Ryan Burke two-pointer shot Caragh ahead after his outside of his boot effort sailed over.

After a free at either end was knocked over, Caragh led by a single point with 15 minutes to go.

Brian Grimes was the man to level things with his fourth of the evening to make this game 1-11 to 0-14 with 13 minutes to go.

Two minutes later Confey hit the net to send the crowd in Newbridge into somewhat of a stunned silence. Niall Carney drove at the Caragh backline and, after a quick solo in no space at all, he offloaded to Aodan Jordan who sidefooted the ball into the net.

Darragh Swords and Austin Nevin got Caragh back to within one before Nevin hit a stunning two-pointer over off the outside of his boot to give his side the lead with five to go.

Confey levelled thanks to a battling score from David Slattery who turned the ball over himself and drove at the Caragh backline twice before fisting over.

After a Kevin Campbell point from play and a Niall Carney equalising free, the sides crossed into the final minute of added time at level pegging.

Caragh held the ball calmly before ramping things up at the perfect moment with lightning passing through the hands that ended with Austin Nevin firing over. 

Caragh won the next possession and closed out for a 1-17 to 1-16 victory.

Caragh, Kevin Campbell 1-4, Darragh Swords 0-4 (0-1 frees), Austin Nevin 0-4 (one 2pt), Ryan Burke 0-3 (one 2pt), Dan Lynam 0-2 (one 2pt).

Confey, Niall Carney 0-7 (0-5 frees, one 2pt free), Josh Collins 0-4 (two 2pts), Brian Grimes 0-4, Aodan Jordan 1-0, David Slattery 0-1.

CARAGH: Michael Behan; Cathal McKennedy, Matthew McNally, Alex Kehoe; Conor Sullivan, Ryan Burke, Paul Dockery; Kevin Connor, Dan Lynam; Josh Gannon, Darragh Swords, Dan Murray; Ronan Doorey, Liam Blake, Kevin Campbell. Subs: Billy Kelly for Alex Kehoe (Half-time), Mick O'Toole for Liam Blake (45 minutes), Austin Nevin for Dan Murray (53 minutes), Cian Burke for Billy Kelly (60 minutes).

CONFEY: Colin Heeney; Conor Dennehy, Colm Chan, Andrew Breslin; Cathal Jennings, Aodan Jordan, Aidan Crean; Phillip Hallinan, Paul Divilly; Oisin Maher, Brian Grimes, Conor Jennings; David Slattery, Niall Carney, Josh Collins. Subs: Joe Kilbane for Colm Chan (8 mins), Ben Corscadden for Conor Jennings (57 minutes).

Referee: Niall Colgan

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