Kildare 'keeper McKenna stars up front as Clane retain senior hurling status

Clane defeated Confey to retain their senior status in Friday night’s UPMC Senior Hurling Championship Relegation final, in the end by a comfortable 11 points.

All things considered conditions were fairly decent though it certainly took the players some time to get accustomed to the heavy pitch but in fairness considering the weather we have had, the surface was in remarkably good shape.

Ten minutes or so behind the starting time before we got under way due to a problem with the floodlighting which thankfully was sorted but players, understandably, still required the requisite time for a proper warm-up.

And when referee Niall Colgan did throw in the ball it was the boys in white who got off to the better start against their opponents Confey.

A lot at stake in this one, Clane only promoted this season to the top grade were very anxious to retain their status while Confey who have been struggling of late nevertheless were hoping to remain in the top rung of Kildare hurling.

Hugh Muldoon, wearing no. 11 for Clane got the score board moving with a free and three minutes later Neil Vizzard popped one over quickly followed by a Paddy McKenna free on the half-way line to open a three point lead after five minutes.

McKenna, the county keeper but operating as he does with his club in the forward area, his place between the sticks occupied by Mark Doyle, who ironically has been his understudy for the county over the past number of years.

On six minutes Confey opened their account with sharp-shooter Frankie Bass firing over.

A very unusual occurrence followed.

Confey were on the attack into the town goal with the action in the right corner when Clane full back Paddy Connolly gained control of the sliothar but with no obvious way out he decided to pass back to the aforementioned Mark Doyle. However he made better contact on the ball than he intended as it flew over the bar, just creeping over actually with Mark Doyle off his line, it could have so easily gone into the net; the mistake, however did not affect Connolly who went on to have a fine game, moving out to mark Paul Divilly in the second half.

Paddy McKenna replied with a point from place before Frankie Bass hit a fine point for Confey.

A brilliant long range effort from wing-back Daniel Colbert saw Clane go 0-5 to 0-3 clear as we came up the midway point of the opening half.

Both sides hit a couple of wides each before Caolan Smith fired over an excellent effort followed by a mighty long effort from Hugh Muldoon to stretch the lead by five points.

Frankie Bass converted a free for Confey who were under pressure at this stage and when Paddy McKenna extended the lead with a free there was now five between the sides as half-time was approaching.

However Confey hit back with two points before the break, a fine effort from Cathal Jennings and when Sean Quigley was fouled Bass made no mistake to leave the half time score reading Clane 0-9 Confey 0-6.

Just three points in it so still all to play for but Clane certainly looked like they had the upper hand without putting more distance between the two sides.

On the resumption Clane hit a couple of wides before a foul on Neil Vizzard saw Paddy McKenna split the posts.

Neil Ryan, a half-time substitute for Confey, pulled one back before Clane put the foot on the throttle and pulled away effortlessly.

A Paddy McKenna free pointed, Caolan Smith added a point before a foul on Hugh Muldoon saw McKenna find the range again.

The county man was in fine form throughout, ending up with an impressive tally of ten points. He added another free, followed by a 65 to leave the score reading 0-14 to 0-7.

Neil Ryan got his second and his side’s second point of the half but Clane motored on with points from Shane Henry and a beauty from McKenna.

Substitute Shane Henry extended the lead, McKenna fired over a free before Confey hit the last score of the game, a free, from Frankie Bass.

Referee Colgan brought proceedings to an end, Clane delighted to have retained their senior status but for Confey tough days ahead but they will be hoping to get out of the intermediate grade as quickly as possible, not always an easy task it has to be said.

Final score: Clane 0-20 Confey 0-9.