KDFL Senior Division
Clongorey United FC 0 Clane United FC 3
Clane United kept their hopes of a KDFL Senior Division title alive on Sunday with a comfortable 3-0 win away to Clongorey at Old Bog road.
The men from Doctor's Road started the better of the two sides with early changes from Cathal Geoghegan who had a shot block down after only seven minutes. One minute later Clane’s Sean Connolly was also unlucky to see his effort whizz slightly over the crossbar. Clane were in control at this point and Any Brogan missed a gilt edged change to put his side ahead on the eleventh minute when his free kick smashed off the crossbar.
The north Kildare men eventually broke the deadlock on the seventeen minute when the impressive James Ralph did well down the right hand side to cross for Cathal Geoghegan to fire home past stand in goal keeper Bill Irish from close range to put the visitors 1-0 up.
The Old Bog Road outfit steadied themselves after Clane's opener and on the twenty seventh minute almost drew parity through Sheldon Mbala after Reece McLoughlin, Lee Baldwin and Jamie Headon linked well to set him through on goal only to see his finish well saved by the Clane netminder.
Just as Clongorey were beginning to look like they might claw a way back into the game they were hit with a sucker punch on thirty eight minute as Clane doubled their advantage when Andy Brogan did well on the left and sent a through ball to James Ralph who in turn found Dean Comiskey free and he shot past keeper Irish to make it 2-0.
Sean Casey and Fintan Kenna's men looked lively in the early stages of the second period with McCloughlin, Baldwin and Danny Callan going close. However they again had the wind taken out of their sails just as it looked like their fortunes might turn when a Clane cross from Karl James from the left deceived Irish and found its way to the net.
Clongorey made some substitutions with Tosin and seventeen year-old Josh Finan – who was making in his debut at senior level, both gave Clongorey renewed impetus in the latter part of the second half as they went in search of a consolation goal but in the end Clane held on to put extra sheen on their victory by maintaining a clean sheet. Indeed they could have extended their lead with a late effort from Liam Deane which was tipped over the crossbar. Best for Clane were Dean Comiskey, Cathal Geoghegan, Killian Patchell and James Ralph while for Clongorey Baldwin and Callen shone.