Eadestown advance after win over Confey

Eadestown 2-8

Confey 1-5

After some frantic scrolling on social media for score updates from elsewhere at full time, Eadestown set themselves up for another clash with Clane (pre-quarter final) after defeating Confey in Rathcoffey.

Eadestown got the opening score of the game courtesy of a free from Niall Cummins. Confey were off the mark after five minutes when Imad Mirza got on the end of a pass from Brian Grimes to palm the ball into the net. Grimes was in on goal moments later, but he drew a save from Shane Sargent in the Eadestown net.

Eadestown were back in front after 10 minute when Cian Bolton picked up the rebound, after Eoin Conneff’s effort came off the post, and slotted the ball into the Confey net.

Ciaran Lyons responded with a point from play for Confey before points from play from Eoin Coneff and Cian Bolton nudged Eadestown in front.

On 22 minutes Eoin Conneff was in for Eadestown’s second goal of the game, which was followed up with another well taken score from Cian Bolton.

A free from James Gately for Confey in first half injury time for Confey left five between the sides at the break. Eadestown ahead on a score-line of 2-4 to 1-2.

Eadestown picked up where they left off in the first half and got the first three scores of the second. Cian Bolton added to his tally when his effort from a free hit the post and he collected the rebound which was slotted over the bar. Conan Boran added another from play before Bolton got his fourth point of the game.

Confey were awarded a free on 44 minutes, but this time it was James Gately’s turn to hit the wood work. Ian Devane was quickest to react and get the ball over the bar for Confey.

Eadestown continued to press for goal, Colin Heeney used his feet to keep out Eoin Conneff’s goal bound shot. Niall Cummins’ effort with the 45 drifted right and wide.

Conneff looked to be in again on 50 minutes when he got on the end of Ben Hourihane’s pass, but was denied by Heeney at full stretch who put the ball behind for another 45. Eadestown goalkeeper Shane Sargent stepped up for the kick, but his effort fell short and eventually went wide. Confey did manage to create another goal opportunity, but Shane Sargent managed to keep out the shot from Conor Jennings.

As injury time approached the game became stop start and the referee was kept busy adding ticks and cards in his notebook.

On 60 minutes, Rian Boran was shown a second yellow and then a red for Eadestown. Two minutes later Ian Devane was given his marching orders for Confey.

In the third minute of injury time, Rian Monaghan pointed for Eadestown to put them seven points ahead.

A free from James Gately in the fifth minute of injury time saw the game finish with six points between the teams. Eadestown winning on a score-line of 2-8 to 1-5.

EADESTOWN: Shane Sargent; Rian Monaghan (0-1), John Lawlor, Sean Hynes; Conor McCarthy, Jack Sargent, Conan Boran (0-1); Rian Boran, Niall Cummins (0-1, free); Ben Fitzsimons, Eoin Conneff (1-1), Darragh Jameson; Cian Boran, Pauric Tuohy, Cian Bolton (1-4). Subs: Fiachra Bracken O’Brien for Conor McCarthy (11 minutes), Niall Grainger for Ben Fitzsimons (58 minutess).

CONFEY: Colin Heeney; Andrew Breslin, Colm Chan, Conor Dennehy; Brian Grimes, Imad Mirza (1-0), Aidan Crean; Paul Divilly, Ciaran Lyons (0-1); Ciaran Kilbane, James Gately (0-3, 2 frees), Conor Jennings; Ian Devane (0-1), Cathal Jennings, Ben Hourihane. Subs: Josh Collins for Ben Hourihane (33 mins), Colm Noctor for Conor Dennehy (51 minuteds).

REFEREE: Alan Lagrue