Celbridge edge Athy by a point in quality contest
The eventual winners narrowly came out on top 1-15 to 3-8
Celbridge 1-15
Athy 3-8
This Joe Mallon SFC Rd 2 Group B clash between Celbridge and Athy was a game of the highest quality worthy to grace any stage.
Athy led at the break by one, Celbridge led by four on 61 minutes and at the final whistle there was just a single point separating the sides.
Celbridge just about deserved to shade it but Athy had a chance to level in the 65 minute when a 44m free from Niall Kelly just drifted right and wide at the Newbridge end. The breeze had caused almost every team playing into that goal a problem on Saturday and it did so again for Athy.
This game had everything; quality score-taking; some excellent fielding; two penalties, black cards, two penalties and injuries for a few of the top performers on the day.
The game opened with the ever-busy Barry Kelly raising a white flag for Athy and a minute later a handling offence saw brother Niall find the Celbridge net from the penalty spot.
Celbridge replied with points from Davy Hughes (free) and Mick O'Grady to leave it 1-2 to 0-2 on 14 minutes.
Kieran Farrell hit a beauty before Celbridge hit three on the trot to level it up, with two points from Arron Browne and a brilliant effort from Kevin Flynn.
A surging run from Dean O'Donoghue saw the corner back hit the crossbar, back to himself and he put over to take the lead;
Liam O'Flynn put two in it before Niall Kelly reduced the gap and then Athy regained the lead with Colm Moran finding the Celbridge net from a ball in from Barry Kelly.
Brian Maher picked up a black just after Kevin Feely left the game with a hamstring pull.
Celbridge finished the half with points from Fergal Conway and Kieran Farrell as the score board read Athy 2-4 Celbridge 0-9.
At the start of the second half Celbridge were back in front a cross by Mick Konstantin saw Killian Browne palm to the net and when brother Aaron added a point Celbridge were three clear.
Niall Kelly and Tony Archbold exchanged points, Cian Keaveney reduced the gap as a Niall Kelly effort was waved wide after consultation between referee Cawley and his umpires.
Three Athy wides followed, Niall Kelly popped over a 45m free to leave one point between them.
Davy Hughes eased Celbridge worries with a free before Liam O'Flynn was black carded on 56 minutes.
Cian Keaveney pointed a free but Celbridge went four ahead with points from Aaron Browne, Mick O'Grady and Killian Browne — 1-15 to 2-8 — 61 on the clock.
A foul by Mick Konstantin on Michael Spillane saw Referee Cawley point to the spot; Niall Kelly made no mistake to reduce the gap to a single point.
From the restart, Athy came again, a foul on Liam McGovern gave Niall Kelly an opportunity to level but his kick just missed the right hand post and going wide.
Long whistle and Celbridge win by one in a marvelous game of football.
One thing is for sure, there is very little wrong with football when it is played like this.
Brilliant stuff from the two teams and have no doubt both of these teams will have a major say in the destination of the 2024 SFC.
Well done!
Scorers: Celbridge, Aaron Browne 0-4 (mark), Killian Browne 1-1, Davy Hughes 0-3 (3 frees), Mick O'Grady 0-1, Liam O'Flynn 0-1, Feral Conway 0-1, Kevin Flynn 0-1, Dean O'Donoghue 0-1, Mick O'Grady 0-1, Tony Archbold 0-1.
Athy, Niall Kelly 1-3 (2 frees, penalty), Colm Moran 1-0, Kevin Feely 1-0 (penalty), Kieran Farrell 0-2, Cian Keaveney 0-2 (2 frees), Barry Kelly 0-1.
CELBRIDGE: Shane McNamara; John Clarke, Cian Powell, Dean O'Donoghue; Kevin Flynn, Fergal Conway, Liam O'Flynn; Hugh McGrillen, Mick O'Grady; Niall O'Regan, Tony Archbold, Mick Konstantin; Davy Hughes, Aaron Browne, Killian Browne. Subs: Paddy Wall for Cian Powell (half-time); James Dolan for Kevin Flynn (53 minutes).
ATHY: James Roycroft; Padraig Spillane, Cathal McCarron, Darren Lawler; Michael Spillane, James McGrath, Brian Maher; Pascal Connell, Kevin Feely; Barry Kelly, Kieran Farrell, Colm Moran; Niall Kelly, Ben Purcell, Cian Reynolds. Subs: Ryan Bowden for Kevin Feely (25 minutes); Cian Keaveney for Cian Reynolds (37 minutes); Liam McGovern for Ben Purcell (43 minutes); Sean Bride for Pascal Connell (49 minutes); John Moran for Kieran Farrell (51 minutes).
REFEREE: Brendan Cawley.