Celbridge and Johnstownbridge finish level after enthralling Kildare SFC clash

Celbridge 1-14

Johnstownbridge 1-14

Celbridge and Johnstownbridge were inseparable in their first clash of the Kildare SFC proper. Athy, who beat Clogherinkoe stay top of the group following the completion of Group A's Round One action.

Celbridge led by seven at the break, but with 16 minutes to go trailed by five points in this incredible encounter. Celbridge needed an Aaron Browne point with the last kick of the game to draw level.

In a back and forth opening half, the difference between the sides was the quality of their final pass.

Killian Browne opened the game’s scoring with a lovely score after cutting inside off the left. A minute later and ‘The Bridge had a goal chance when they turned over the ball high up the field. It wasn’t their last sight of goal of the half either but on both occasions they squandered the chance.

Celbridge moved 0-4 to no score up after 12 minutes with Aaron Browne (twice) and Dean O’Donoghue extending their advantage.

Daragh Sloane got the opening Johnstownbridge score and it was quickly followed by a second from Sean McKeon which was all of his own making. The corner-back turned the ball over and carried it the length of the pitch before scoring.

Aaron Browne got his third, which was answered by Aaron McNally at the other end to make it 0-5 to 0-3 just before the 20 minute mark.

Celbridge put their foot down before the break and hit The ‘Bridge on the counter at every available opportunity. Niall O’Regan struck twice after galloping forward on such occasions.

Mick O’Grady got on the scoresheet with a high, looping effort and Kevin Flynn closed the half’s scoring with a goal chance that he drilled over from close range.

Celbridge went in at half-time with an 0-10 to 0-3 lead after keeping the trailing side scoreless for the final 10 minutes of the half.

After an okay performance in many phases of play, Johnstownbridge had come up short in key moments in front of goal with their wasting of chances and poor passing being punished at the other end.

They rectified that immediately after half-time and were back level within five minutes of the restart. 

Exceptional Aaron McNally and Daragh Sloane two-pointers were separated by a Conor Flynn goal, the corner-forward snuck in front of his man and followed it with a finish low past Shane McNamara.

Paul Cribbin then put his side in front for the first time in the 39th minute with a close-range free to complete the remarkable turnaround.

Josh O’Donoghue and Conor Flynn added singles either side of Sam Doran’s booming two-pointer that sent ‘The Bridge five clear after trailing by seven at half-time. 

Celbridge got their first score of the second half through Tony Archbold in the 45th minute, who also got their second in the 51st to make this game 1-12 to 0-12.

A minute later Conor Flynn, who had registered a crucial 1-1 for Johnstownbridge, got himself sent off for an off the ball incident. Flynn’s disappointment was increased tenfold when Fergal Conway hit the net off his left foot to level this game with seven minutes to go.

Mick Konstantin put Celbridge one clear before an astounding Ronan Scanlon two-pointer from out wide threatened to win this game The ‘Bridge.

The ‘Bridge won the ball back but gave up possession one last and vital time and Celbridge equalised through Aaron Browne with the last kick of the game to end an incredible SFC encounter at 1-14 each.

Celbridge, Aaron Browne 0-5 (0-2 frees, 0-1 '45), Fergal Conway 1-0, Niall O'Regan 0-2, Tony Archbold 0-2, Killian Browne 0-1, Dean O'Donoghue 0-1, Mick O'Grady 0-1, Kevin Flynn 0-1, Mick Konstantin 0-1.

Johnstownbridge, Conor Flynn 1-1, Aaron McNally 0-3 (one 2pt), Daragh Sloane 0-3 (one 2pt), Sam Doran 0-2 (one 2pt), Ronan Scanlon 0-2 (one 2pt), Sean McKeon 0-1, Paul Cribbin 0-1 (0-1 frees), Josh O'Donoghue 0-1.

CELBRIDGE: Shane McNamara; John Clarke, Mick O'Grady, Eoghan Light; Dean O'Donoghue, Mick Konstantin, Niall O'Regan; Hugh McGrillen, Fergal Conway; Kevin Flynn, Kevin O'Callaghan, Tony Archbold; James Dolan, Aaron Browne, Killian Browne. Subs: Luke Murray for James Dolan (41 minutes), Paddy Brophy for Killian Browne (50 minutes), Daragh Finnegan for Eoghan Light (53 minutes).

JOHNSTOWNBRIDGE: Eoin Sheehan; Kieran Ryan, Tomas Von Engelbrechten, Sean McKeon; Shane Flynn, Keith Cribbin, Aaron McNally; Joey Higgins, Paul Cribbin; Daragh Sloane, Sam Doran, Cathal McNally; Josh O'Donoghue, Dean Kelly, Conor Flynn. Subs: Ronan Scanlon for Cathal McNally (46 minutes), Ryan Rainey for Daragh Sloane (61 minutes).

Referee: Paddy McDermott

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