Lynch scores five points as Confey shock Celbridge

CONFEY 0-15 CELBRIDGE 0-13

WE should be used to the men from Cope Bridge defying expectations at this stage.

Confey seem to be perennial favourites for relegation but not only are they safe once more this year, but they sit proudly alongside Naas at the top of “Winners” Group A of the UPMC Senior A Hurling Championship after the opening round robin fixtures.

In drizzly, miserable conditions at Manguard Park on Saturday, Confey were full value for their surprise two point win over neighbours Celbridge.

While a Celbridge team going through something of a rebuilding phase were wasteful in front of the posts, their spirited opponents were considerably more clinical with their shooting.

That, combined with a voracious appetite for the physical battle, saw Confey to a win that sets them up nicely in a group from which three of the four teams will progress to the knock-out stages.

There was little sign of the danger to come for Celbridge as they moved into a 0-3 to 0-1 lead in the opening eleven minutes. Gerry Keegan opened their account and after Eoin Lynch equalised, Conor Treacy and Pat Leahy added further points.

But five points without reply over the next nine minutes saw Confey take command and grow in confidence. Frank Bass, one of their outstanding performers, landed a ’65 and then Lynch, who fired five superb points over the hour, registered his second to level matters.

A Bass free from inside his own half gave Confey the lead and they went three clear with Brian Grimes and Paul Divilly finding the range.

Goalkeeper Ian Baker kept their three-point advantage intact, pushing James Dolan’s goal attempt out for an unconverted ’65 before Jamie Connolly and Bass, from another free, swapped points.

A magnificent diving block from Aidan Ryan denied Dolan once more, but Andrew McNiff followed up with a point for Celbridge to leave them within two points at the interval. Half-Time: Confey 0-7 Celbridge 0-5.

Pre-match favourites Celbridge seemed set to justify that tag early in the second half as they moved into the lead within twelve minutes. Keegan, who had missed a few chances in the opening period, when his side shot ten wides, found the range from the left-wing and after Dolan was denied another goal chance, Finniun Ó Dullaigh converted the resultant ’65 to level matters.

Lynch hit back with his third point but minors from Keegan and defender Tadhg Halpin gave Celbridge the lead. Neil Ryan equalised for Confey to make it 0-9 apiece before Keegan and Lynch exchanged points.

The veteran Divilly scored an inspirational free from 65 metres out to edge Confey back in front after 48 minutes and Lynch once more found the range with a magnificent point to put them two clear a minute later.

Back came Celbridge, levelling matters at 0-12 apiece through Ciarán Kirwan and Niall Ó Muineacháin.

Divilly was fouled after a huge catch five minutes from time, Oisín Lynch converting the free from close range, and Ryan and substitute Aiden Crean followed up with further points to put Confey three points clear.

Try as they might, all Celbridge could manage in return was an injury time free from Keegan as they succumbed by a two-point margin.

CONFEY: Ian Baker; Enda Bannon, Seán Leamy, Anto Hoare; Aidan Ryan, Kevin Chan, Colm Chan; Kieran Kilbane, Paul Divilly 0-2 (1f); Eoin Lynch 0-5, Frank Bass 0-3 (2fs,1’65), Oisín Lynch 0-1 (f); Neil Ryan 0-2, Niall Glennon, Brian Grimes 0-1. SUBS: Philip Quigley for K Chan 37, Ben O’Boyle for Glennon 47, Aiden Crean 0-1 for Bass 53, Paul Feerick for O Lynch 62.

CELBRIDGE: Fiachra Ó Muineacháin; Paul Hogan, Ciaran Kirwan 0-1, Tom Finnerty; Tadhg Halpin 0-1, Niall Ó Muineacháin 0-1, Kieran Robotham; Colman O’Donovan, Gerry Keegan 0-5 (1f); Andrew McNiff 0-1, Jamie Connolly 0-1, Finniun Ó Dullaigh 0-1 (’65); Conor Treacy 0-1, Pat Leahy 0-1, James Dolan. SUBS: Billy White for McNiff 49, Seán Holmes for Ó Dullaigh 61.

REFEREE: Brian Kearney