Sarsfields stay on title track

Reigning Kildare champions Sarsfields were pushed all the way by last year’s IFC champions Monasterevan in Newbridge but eventually booked their place in the quarter-final by virtue of a 3-16 to 0-9 win.

Sarsfields raced into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead early on yesterday and saw their chances boosted when Monasterevan went down to 14 men following the 13th-minute dismissal of Lenny Havens. Despite that blow the Paschal Kellaghan-led Monasterevan team were 0-7 to 0-6 ahead at half-time and moved two points clear early in the second half. Sarsfields outscored their opponents by 3-10 to 0-1 in the remainder of the game, with Alan Smith, Sean Dempsey and Declan McKenna grabbing the goals.

Elsewhere, Paddy Brophy scored nine points as Celbridge defeated a St Laurence’s team who finished with 13 men by 0-16 to 0-9.

Kildare star Eoin Doyle was the man of the match as he grabbed a vital goal for Naas in a 1-6 to 0-8 win over Leixlip.

Clane became the last side to reach the last eight when they defeated Allenwood by 2-16 to 1-12, Karl Martin and Noel Haverty finding the net.

Quarter-final draw (to be played next weekend): Athy v Celbridge, Maynooth v Naas, Confey v Sarsfields, Moorefield v Clane.