Celbridge put it up to Kildare champs but Naas still pull away

Naas chalked up their second win in this season's UPMC Kildare Senior Hurling Championship at Manguard Park, Hawkfield, on Friday evening, defeating Celbridge by nine points in the end but it was a margin of victory that did little justice to the display from Celbridge who pushed the hot favourites all the way throughout a close and exciting contest.

Naas, certainly did not play to their best, their fluency and their intensity was missing and while they were missing a few of what would be regarded as their top starting XV nevertheless manager Tom Mulally would not have been overly pleased with his side's efforts.

Celbridge on the other hand looked the hungrier side, they worked their socks off and in the end it was the concession of two second half goals that proved the difference between the sides.

Naas opened the scoring, after Killian Harrington had been denied a goal by a fine save, Jack Sheridan popped over the resultant 65, Cathal Dowling, who looked sharp throughout, added a second.

Celbridge, through their top marksman, Gerry Keegan, opened his side's account with a 44m free.

Cathal Dowling and Charlie Carroll added points for the champions while Gerry Keegan replied with a free to leave it 0-4 to 0-2 after some 11 minutes

Jack Sheridan put Evan O'Brian in but his effort was blocked and Jack Sheridan converted the 65.

Celbridge hit back with Alan Goss looking for a goal but his effort was blocked by an alert Peter O'Donoghue.

It was the Naas defence who were showing up best with some fine displays, particularly from the full back line of Liam O'Reilly Ross Kelly and the aforementioned O'Donoghue.

James Dolan pointed for Celbridge and a minute later they opened a one point lead when a lovely ball inside put Andrew McNiffe in and the corner forward made no mistake firing past Cormac Gallagher.

Alan Goss added a point but Naas got it back when a Jack Sheridan solo passed a defender before finding the net and a converted free saw Naas now lead 1-6 to 1-4.

Celbridge hit back with four points on the trot but the champs added two white flags before the break as the sides headed to the dressing rooms level at 1-8 apiece.

Three quick points from the boys in blue and white suggested they would pull away but Celbridge hit back with three points of their own.

Two Jack Sheridan frees opened a two-point gap, Mark Moloney free reduced that to one but Jack Sheridan added a point, it should have been a goal but his effort crept just over, Sheridan added a free after Brian Byrne was fouled and Naas now led by three 1-15 to 1-12.

Brian Byrne added a point before a long delivery into the danger area saw Charlie Carroll pull first time to the net, Mac Dara Moore and Cathal Dowling added points and while Celbridge added points from Alan Goss and two from Conor Treacy, Naas finished it off with Brian Byrne putting Sean Mac Donncha in who made no mistake from close range to end the contest Naas winning 3-18 to 1-15.

Scorers: Naas, Jack Sheridan 1-8 (two 65s, 5 frees), Cathal Dowling 0-4, Charlie Carroll 1-1, Sean Mac Donncha 1-0, Kevin Whelan 0-1, Brian Byrne 0-1, Ross Kelly 0-1, Rian Boran 0-1, Mac Dara Moore 0-1.

Celbridge, Gerry Keegan 0-7 (5 frees), Conor Tracey 0-3, Andrew McNiffe 1-0, Alan Goss 0-2, Michael Owens 0-1, Mark Maloney 0-1, James Dolan 0-1.

NAAS: Cormac Gallagher; Liam O'Reilly, Ross Kelly, Peter O'Donoghue; Kevin Whelan, Mac Dara Moore, Harry Carroll; Rian Boran, Evan O'Brian; Kevin Kelleher, Brian Byrne, Killian Harrington; Charlie Carroll, Cathal Dowling, Jack Sheridan. Subs: Sean Mac Donncha for Killian Harrington (45 minutes).

CELBRIDGE: Fiachra Ó Muineacháin; Sean Holmes, Ciaran Kirwan, Jack O'Brien; David Daly, Niall Ó Muineacháin, Michael Owens; Oisin Lynam, Alan Goss; Ben Elliott, Mark Maloney, Gerry Keegan; Andrew McNiffe, Conor Tracey, James Dolan. Subs: Sean Gleeson for Ben Elliott (38 minutes); Liam Dillon for David Daly (52 minutes); Cian Degrieck for Mark Maloney (55 minutes);

REFEREE: Fergus Devereux.

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