Celbridge hold off Ardclough comeback by two points

Celbridge won the bragging rights but more importantly a place in the UPMC SHC semi-final with a hard-earned two point win over a very game Ardclough side at Cedral St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, on Sunday afternoon.

Celbridge looked to be well on their way but The Cloghs came storming back with a Martin Fitzgerald goal and a point from Sean Whelan to get the lead back to one.

However a late point from corner back, his second, Ciarán Whelan saw Celbridge over the line.

The sides were level on four occasions in the opening half in a competitive affair and while Celbridge opened with the first three points of the game, a goal from Tim Ryan in the 12th minute sent The Cloughs ahead by one.

It was, however short-lived as Celbridge came back to regain the lead with three points on the trot.

Back came Ardclough with two Sean Whelan frees and a point from Sean Coulston edged Ardclough ahead by one.

Gerry Keegan leveled and while a Cillian Burke and a free from Sean Whelan had Ardclough ahead by two, it was Celbridge who finished the half strongest with a well taken goal from Andrew McNiffe along with four late points to lead at the break 1-13 to 1-9.

However as stated, despite that late comeback from Ardclough it is Celbridge who advance on a final score line of Celbridge 1-22 Ardclough 2-17.

Scorers,Celbridge: Gerry Keegan 0-10 (6 frees), Michael Owens 0-5, Andrew McNiffe 1-1, Ciarán Kirwan 0-2, Sean Gleeson 0-1, Kieran Rubotham 0-1, Alan Goss 0-1, James Dolan 0-1.

Ardclough: Sean Whelan 0-10 (9 frees), Martin Fitzgerald 1-1, Tim Ryan 1-0, Cillian Burke 0-2, Patrick O’Malley 0-2, Sean Coulston 0-1, Darragh Buggle 0-1.

CELBRIDGE: Fiachra Ó Muineacháin; Odhran Conaty, Colmán O’Donovan; Ciarán Kirwan; David Daly, Alan Goss, Sean Mimnagh; Michael Owens, Gerry Keegan; Conor O’Brien, Sean Gleeson, Kieran Rutotham; Andrew McNiffe, James Dolan, Cian McGrath. Subs: Johnny Owens for Kieran Rubotham (48 minutes); Ben Elliott for Sean Gleeson (50 minutes); Harry Robotham for James Dolan (59 minutes).

ARDCLOUGH: Finn Leach; Daragh Millar, Maurice Sexton, Cillian Burke; Daragh Buggle, Drew Costello, Sean Coulston; Colm Walsh, Tim Ryan; Sean Buggy, Kieran Brady, Sean Whelan; Harry Maughan, Martin Fitzgeraldd, Eoghan Walsh. Subs: Patrick O’Malley for Kieran Brady (29 minutes); Eoin Mills for Tim Ryan (39 minutes); Ronan O’Malley for Cillian Burke (41 minutes); Jonathan Reeves for Harry Maughan (53 minutes): Tony Spain for Darragh Millar (53 minutes).

REFEREE: Matthew Redmond.