Dominant Celbridge display sees them overcome Dublin opposition and into the last four in Leinster

Raheny(Dublin) 2-15

Leinster IHC quarter-final

While the final score may indicate that this game was some sort of a thriller, those in attendance at O'Toole Park in Crumlin will tell a different story as a fabulous performance from Celbridge in the first 45 minutes of this tie gave them enough breathing room to take their foot off the pedal, concede late scores and still win comfortably.

They led by 13 points at one stage in the second half having absolutely devoured the Dublin side, and it was Gerry Keegan who took centre stage as he shot the lights out with a stunning personal haul of 1-11.

The 22-year-old was in the Convention Centre last night to pick up his Christy Ring Champions XV award, and he showed why he is such a highly rated player by turning in a brilliant display on Saturday afternoon.

It was relatively even early doors as both sides slotted over a couple of points each, but Keegan turned the game on its head in a two-minute period by scoring 1-2 to open up a five-point lead.

He had amassed 1-6 by half-time as Celbridge roared into a 1-11 to 0-6 lead, and all of Raheny's scores came from frees, with Eoin Smith registering three of them.

The north Kildare side picked up where they left off at the beginning of the second half, and within twelve minutes of the restart they were 2-15 to 0-8 up. Billy White raised a green flag thanks with a goal from a penalty, while Ronan Byrne also tagged on a fine point from play.

Raheny managed to restore some pride after that as Eoin Smith and Ger Cunny both netted for the hosts, but it was Celbridge who eased towards victory and into the next round where they will face Bray Emmets of Wicklow.