Clane in full control against Confey

Clane 2-15

Confey 1-6

Tom Cribbin's Clane, beaten finalists in 2022, losing out to Naas, got their season's equilavent championship off to the perfect start at Hazelhatch Road when proving too good for Confey on Friday evening last, in a repeat of last year’s preliminary round clash.

Playing against a strong breeze in the first half, it was Confey who were first off the mark.

A foul inside the small square on Ben O’Boyle resulted in a penalty with Ciaran Lyons stepping up and blasting his shot to the back of the Clane net.

The boys in white responded with a point from play from Sam McCormack and a free from Brian McLaughlin.

James Gately kept the scoreboard ticking over for Confey before Oisin O’Sullivan, played in by Shane O’Sullivan, got Clane’s first goal of the game.

Clane reeled off two more scores, from Adam Fanning and Shane O’Sullivan, before Conor Jennings split the posts for Confey.

Using the breeze to their advantage, Clane got the next four scores without reply giving them a healthy cushion of 1-9 to 1-2 lead at the break.

SECOND HALF

Clane were first off the mark in the second half with a point from Adam Fanning. Frees from Fergal McGeogh and Niall Carney kept the score board ticking over for Confey and they did manage to create a goal chance early in the second half, but John Ball was quick off his line to narrow the angle and force the shot from Ian Devane wide.

Clane continued to press on the Confey goal and Adam Fanning’s goal bound shot drew a superb save from Colin Heeney.

On 48 minutes however, Adam Fanning put the result beyond doubt. Oisin Tighe’s shot was saved by Colin Heeney, but the rebound led to a scramble on the goal line.

Confey thought they had cleared the danger, only for the umpire to signal that the ball had crossed the line. A brief consultation withthe referee followed and the green flag was waved to the bemusement of many in attendance.

Clane finished the game much the stronger with points from Adam Fanning, Harry O’Neill and Oisin Tighe.

CLANE: John Ball; Hugh Prendergast, Sean Callan, Conor Walsh; Harry O’Neill 0-1, Jake Burke, Tadhg Montgomery; Cathal O’Brien, Sam McCormack 0-2; Shane McCormack, Brian McLoughlin 0-5 (2 frees); James Behan 0-1, Oisin O’Sullivan 1-0, Adam Fanning 1-3, Shane O’Sullivan 0-2 (45). Subs: Danny Egan for Shane McCormack (35 minutes), Oisin Tighe 0-1 for Oisin O’Sullivan (47 minutes).

CONFEY: Colin Heeney; Aiden Crean Colm Chan, Conor Dennehy; Brian Grimes, Ciaran Kilbane, Conor Jennings 0-1; Paul Divilly, Ciaran Lyons 1-0 (penalty); Ian Devane, Ben O’Boyle, Imad Mirza; Fergal McGeogh 0-2 (2 frees), James Gately 0-1, Niall Carney 0-2 (1 free). Sub: Colm Noctor for Ian Devane (35 minutes).

REFEREE: Killian Jones.