Fitz shines, Cloughs back in title race
ARDCLOUGH…………………………………….. 3-17
CONFEY……………………………………………. 2-13
BY DAIRE WALSH
Martin Fitzgerald was to the fore in the second part of a double-header played at Hazelhatch last Saturday afternoon.
His 1-8 haul helped Ardclough to bounce back from a disappointing opening round defeat against Celbridge with a commanding seven-point victory over reigning champions Confey.
Ardclough had started the game in determined fashion, and following early points by midfield pairing Martin Fitzgerald (free) and Philip Fitzgerald, an instinctive flick to the net by corner-forward Mark Lynam four minutes in opened a four-point cushion.
The holders soon settled into the contest, though, as a fantastic seventh minute major from centre-back Paul Divilly’s 21-metre placed ball was followed by their first score from play courtesy of No. 14 Eoin Fitzpatrick.
Despite conceding the next score via the excellent Martin Fitzgerald, back-to-back points through Conor Feeney and Robbie Connolly brought parity to the tie, and they stayed on level terms when Sean Buggy and Paul Divilly swapped efforts.
Despite Martin Fitzgerald chipping with another pointed free, Confey had drawn the sides level for the third time by the end of 30 minutes thanks to scores from Feeney (two), Anto Hoare and Colm Chan.
Yet, there was just enough additional time at the end of the opening period for the deadly accurate Martin Fitzgerald to give his team a slender advantage (1-9 to 1-8) at the mid-way point. When the reliable Paul Divilly wiped out this lead inside the opening minute after the restart, a cracking second half of action appeared to be in store.
Three minutes later The Clocks took the bull by the horns, as a brace of points by Martin Fitzgerald was added to by a further three-pointer from full-forward Colm Buggy.
Confey refused to go away, though, and on 36 minutes they made it a two-point game with a fantastic individual goal by Darragh Nolan. Ardclough regained a stranglehold with crucial points from Richie Hoban and Tony Spain.
Two more Paul Divilly frees from distance kept Confey in touch, and with his fifth and sixth points arriving in reply to Hoban and Martin Fitzgerald placed ball attempts, the tie was still finely poised heading into the final ten minutes. On 52 minutes, Baker’s save from a Colm Buggy effort on the left-hand side found its way to Martin Fitzgerald in a central position, and he made no mistake with a lethal strike to the back of the net.
Ardclough had to negotiate six minutes of injury time, but concluding scores by the magnificent Martin Fitzgerald and Brian Coulston sealed the points in emphatic style.
ARDCLOUGH: Aidan Buggle; Niall Coulston, Sean Buggle, Robbie Spain; Colm Maguire, Richie Hoban (0-2, 0-2 frees), Peter Coleman; Martin Fitzgerald (1-8, 0-5 frees), Philip Fitzgerald (0-1); Brian Coulston (0-2), Tony Spain (0-2), Sean Buggy (0-1); Mark Lynam (1-0), Colm Buggy (1-0), Paul Fitzgerald (0-1). Subs: Cathal Fenton, Jonathan Reeves.
CONFEY: Ian Baker; Sean Leamy, Paul Keegan, Graham Caffrey; Cillian Mac Suibhne, Paul Divilly (1-6, 1-5 frees, 0-1 ‘65’), Kieran Divilly; Colm Chan (0-1), Philip Quigley; Anto Hoare (0-1), Conor Feeney (0-3), David Slattery; Robbie Connolly (0-1), Eoin Fitzpatrick (0-1), Darragh Nolan (1-0).
Subs: Padraig Keegan, Michael Divilly, Anto Hoare.
REFEREE: Alan Lagrue (Naas).