Kentstown prove too resilient for Glenmuir

Kentstown Rovers advanced to the next round of the Meath & District League Challenge Cup when they dumped top Louth side Glenmuir Utd out of the competition on Sunday morning. Kentstown belied their lowly status in Div 1 where they are hovering around the departure zone and completely out-played their Premier rivals. The Meath men even survived themselves after they appeared to lose the plot slightly in the second-half following the dismissal of Andy Lynch, apparently for retaliation after Glenmuir's Adrian Grier was involved in a robust challenge which referee Pat Henry didn't see. Unfortunately, for Lynch, the referee saw that incident and promptly issued the departure notice. Kentstown were well in control at that stage and were ahead from a well-taken Derek Bowens goal which arrived in the 43rd minute. That goal was the result of some excellent approach play which involved Paul McDonnell and David Doyle, but once they were reduced to 10, shortly after the resumption, Kentstown looked like they might implode. They got even more irritated soon after Lynch's dismissal when David Doyle had a penalty claim turned down. Howeve, with centre-back Shaun Doyle urging the team to calm down - "let's be disciplined" - he shouted not too long after he had unleashed a verbal broadside at the referee, normal service was restored. Glenmuir also had claims for a penalty waved away in the closing stages while at the other end Kentstown were awarded what looked like a rather soft penalty with two minutes remaining. David Bowens duly despatched the resultant spot kick to the net and the 10 men finished strongest and could have added one or two more in injury-time. Glenmuir can have no complaints, they created very little with only Michael Olulu causing problems for a tight-marking and resolute Kentstown rearguard in which Shaun Doyle, Shane Gargan, Derek Ratcliffe and Colin Lynch were outstanding. However, Kentstown's most effective player was Conor Cowley who worked tirelessly in midfield and upped the effort after his side was reduced to 10 men. Kentstown Rovers - E O'Connell; D Ratcliffe, C Lynch, S Doyle, S Gargan, C Cowley, P McDonnell, A Lynch, D Doyle, Derek Bowens, David Bowens. Subs - G Toal for D Doyle 70 mins, K Lawlor for Derek Bowens 78m, K Dempsey for David Bowens 89m. Glenmuir Utd - E Roe; J McKenny, T O'Hare, D Grier, J Mulligan, A Grier, M Nolan, P Reilly, J Boland, M Olulu, J Brennan. Subs - D Tuite for Nolan 40 mins, R McGourty for McKenny half-time. Referee - Pat Henry (Meath Branch ISRS)