Slick and Sharp Celbridge dismantle Clane in Kildare Championship opener

Brendan McGrath’s charges flew out of the blocks early, and held a 13-point advantage at half-time UPMC SHC opener. Celbridge continued to build on that lead, and were well clear despite a late surge from Clane that took the bleak look off the scoreboard.

Andrew McNiffe had Celbridge on the board after just 22 seconds of the match starting.

A superb brace of points from wing-back Michael Owens, and another score from Conor Treacy after six minutes was followed moments later by the first goal of the match; James Dolan raced along the end-line before batting in the first of his opening ten minute brace of goals.

This, unfortunately for Clane, laid down the pattern of the match to come.

Paddy McKenna did provide Clane’s opening score on the eighth minute, who would provide the pass for Seán Christensen to point moments later, before Gerry Keegan set up James Dolan, who fired the sliotar low and into the net for Celbridge.

In the 11th minute, Oisín Lynam would be found by Conor Treacy to batt home his goal to put Celbridge eleven points ahead.

The game wasn’t out of reach for Clane just yet though; Paddy McKenna with a free and ’65, Seán Christensen and Simon Healy would all put further scores on the board for Willie Banks men.

But Celbridge were always ahead of the lilywhites; Michael Owens would add a further brace of points to his overall tally from wing-back, while corner-back Ciarán Kirwan also provided a scoring threat. Futher points came from the ash of Cian McGrath with a brace, Oisín Lynam, James Dolan and Conor Treacy to leave Celbridge 3-12 to 0-8 clear at half-time.

The third quarter ended the game as a contest. Michael Owens pointed within 15 seconds of the restart for Celbridge, while Ciarán Kirwan, Conor O’Brien and Oisín Lynam added further scores by the 37th minute to push their team further clear.

Paddy McKenna’s ’65 and Daniel Colbert’s long-range effort provided the Clane response by the 41st minute, when Celbridge struck for their fourth goal, when Conor Treacy turned and fired ruthlessly past Mark Doyle and into the Clane net.

Gerry Keegan would come into his own in the final quarter of the game for Celbridge, while Finnán Ó Dulaing’s brace of points off the bench also made an impact.

Oisín Lynam would match Ó Dulaing’s tally to round off the day of scoring for Celbridge.

Clane must be commended for continuing to battle to the very end, something that may prove fruitful come the end of the championship.

Hugh Muldoon’s point in the 51st minute came three minutes before Shane Henry pulled on a loose ball inside the Celbridge box to find the net. Hugh Muldoon would add a free to his tally, while Neil Vizzard can also claim a brace of points to his name during the final five minutes of the match.

Celbridge: Fiachra Ó’Muineacháin; Odhran Conaty, Colmán O’Donovan, Ciarán Kirwan 0-2; Michael Owens 0-5, Alan Goss, Sean Mimnagh; Conor O’Brien 0-1, Gerry Keegan 0-6 (0-2frees); James Dolan 2-1, Sean Gleeson, Oisín Lynam 1-4; Andrew McNiffe 0-1, Conor Treacy 1-2, Cian McGrath 0-1. Subs: Jack O’Brien for Cian McGrath and Finnán Ó Dulaing 0-2 for Conor O’Brien (44), Kieran Robotham for Sean Gleeson and Ben Elliott for Andrew McNiffe (50), Cillian Treacy for James Dolan (55).

Clane: Mark Doyle; Daniel Malone, Cian Shanahan, Tom Malone; Seán Malone, Paddy Jordan, Daniel Colbert 0-1; Adam Corbett, Riann O’Neill; Cormac Vizzard 0-1, Seán Christensen 0-2, Paddy McKenna 0-5 (0-2’65s, 0-1free); Hugh Muldoon 0-2 (0-1free), Caolan Smith, Shane Henry 1-0. Subs: Simon Healy 0-1 for Paddy Jordan (19), Neil Vizzard 0-2 for Cormac Vizzard (23), Ben Muldoon for Paddy McKenna (54).

Referee: Fergus Devereux.