Ben Nichol's goal the difference as Eadestown cut down Castledermot
Cian Bolton came off the bench to help inspire Eadestown to a remarkable comeback against Castledermot. All Photos: James Lawlor.
Eadestown had to overcome a four-point half-time deficit before the introduction of Cian Bolton helped turn the tide as they maintained their Division 2 status in the final round of the Hanlon Concrete Senior Football League.
A superb 13-point haul from Castledermot's Gavin Keating wasn't enough to prevent the slide to Division 3 for the home side.
A sizeable crowd made their way to Castledermot on Friday evening knowing the stakes were high for both sides. Eadestown had the advantage of knowing a draw would be sufficient for survival. Castledermot, however, knew it was win or bust.
The home side, playing with the aid of a stiff breeze, started the game on the front food and it was that man Gavin Keating who opened the scoring on two minutes. As he hovered around the arc it was brother David who set him up for the two-pointer.
County U20 player, Donnchadh Kinch quickly added a third before County U20 selector Emmet O'Keeffe opened a four point lead with as many minutes on the clock.
Castledermot were well organised in defence and Eadestown had to probe for long periods during the opening half to try get scores.
Ben Nichol and the pacy Eoin Conneff did half the lead after ten minutes but Gavin Keating again found himself free 40 metres out and he quickly restored the four-point lead with a second two-pointer.
Before we reached the 20th minute the visitors had reduced the deficit to two points again. Conneff added his second and Cian Cahill got forward from centre back to ad his side's fourth.
Gavin Farrell and Ben Fitzsimons swapped scores as Eadestown started to come more into the game. A Sean Hynes shot was deflected onto the post, but in the resulting play Conan Boran was fouled and Eadestown were awarded a penalty.
Fitzsimons took the responsibilty, but Shane Nolan was down quick to his left to make an excellent save. Castledermot had the momentum and responded with further points from Gavin Keating.
The corner forward added a free after Eadestown goalkeeper Charlie Carroll was forced to take a back pass; from the resulting kick-out, Conan Boran was penalised for a pick-up and Keating punished with a two-pointer.
Fitzsimons reduced the gap to four with the last kick of the half as Eadestown found themselves trailing 0-10 to 0-6 at the break.
Gavin Keating added another two-point free after the change of ends to open a six-point advantage for Castledermot.
The call went out for Cian Bolton to try stem the flow of home pressure as Jack Kelly made way for the final 22 minutes.
Conneff and Fitzsimons pointed to keep Eadestown's hopes alive, while Castledermot continued to depend on the accuracy of Keating and his 11th point on 40 minutes kept the lead at five.
Within ten minutes, constant Eadestown pressure saw them draw level. Fitzsimons landed a free before pointed efforts from Cian Bolton and Fitzsimons had the sides level for the first time.
Conneff and another Keating free kept the sides level at 14 apiece. But a 58th-minute piece of individual brilliance from Bolton saw him beat two defenders along the endline before setting up Ben Nichol for what turned out to be a match-winning goal.
Keating assured a grandstand finish with another two-point free, but late scores from Fitzsimons and Bolton assured Eadestown of survival.
A hugely entertaining game that didnt deserve to have a loser as both sides now turn their attention to the upcoming senior and intermediate championships.
Shane Nolan, Dillon Kirwan, Barry Nolan, James Slattery, Conor Nolan, Bryan Nolan, Oisin Nolan, David Keating, Donnchadh Kinch 0-1, Fionn O'Gorman, Emmet O'Keeffe 0-1, Gavin Farrell 0-1, Gavin Keating 0-13 (3tpf, 2tp,3f), Dan Gray, Tadhg Phelan.
Anthony Lawler for C Nolan (32), Cian Murphy for Phelan (46), Tadhg Jackman for B Nolan (64).
Charlie Carroll, Paul Galvin, John Lawler, Dan Sargent, Harry Carroll, Cian Cahill 0-1, CJ Boran, Rian Boran, Conan Boran, Dara Behan, Sean Hynes, Ben Nichol 1-1, Eoin Conneff 0-4, Ben Fitzsimons 0-7 (1tpf, 2f), Jack Kelly.
Cian Bolton 0-3 (2pt) for Kelly (38).
Fergal Barry.
