Sarsfields blow Celbridge away in second half to book a place in the SFC final

Sarsfields booked their place in the Joe Mallon SFC final with an impressive second half display against Celbridge at Cedral St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, this afternoon.

Sarsfields trailed at half-time by four but took complete control on the resumption holding their opponents to a mere two points.

While Mick Konstantin got the opening score of the game and Aaron Browne (free) made it two, it was Sarsfields who took quick control. Barry Coffey with a free, Matty Byrne leveled before Luke Mahon got two quick singles and The Sash led 0-4 to 0-2 after ten.

Karl Hartley extended the lead but Celbridge got back into it when Cian Bolger hit a mighty two-pointer.

Sarsfields responded when corner back Colm Hartnett found the net as the Celbridge defence backed off but the response was quick and decisive from Celbridge.

Cian Bolger gained possession as the Sarsfields retreated, the No. 17 blasted the ball past Cathal Moore and Celbridge were in front.

On 26 minutes Cathal Moore was emptying his net again, this time Cian Powell ran through and hit the onion sack and Celbridge now led 2-6 to 1-5.

As we approached half-time Shea Ryan got a point back for Sarsfield but again Celbridge responded with an excellent point from Kevin Flynn to leave the half-time score reading Celbridge 2-7 Sarsfields 1-6.

Celbridge opened the second half with Luke Murray pointed but that was as good as it got for Alan Costello’s side as the Newbridge side took complete control hitting no less than 1-11.

Karl Hartley opened their second half account before Luke Mahon got his side’s second goal of the game, Ryan Kearney leveled and Cathal White sent the Newbridge side in front.

Luke Murray got his side’s second point of the half in the 44 minute but that was to be their only score as points from Barry Coffey, Callum Bolton, Daragh Ryan, Karl Hartley and a two-pointer from Daragh Ryan saw the Vinny Walsh manage side book their place in the final for the first time since 2021.

Final score: Sarsfields 2-17 Celbridge 2-9.

Scorers, Sarsfields: Luke Mahon 1-2, Daragh Ryan 0-4 (1 two-pointer), Colm Harnett 1-0, Karl Harltey 0-3, Barry Coffey 0-2 (1 free), Shea Ryan 0-1, Matty Byrne 0-1, Karl Hartley 0-1, Cathal White 0-1, Callum Bolton 0-1, Ryan Kearney 0-1.

Celbridge: Cian Bolger 1-1 (1 two-pointer), Cian Powell 1-0, Shane McNamara 0-2 (two-pointer free), Luke Murray 0-2, Kevin Flynn 0-1, Mick Konstantin 0-1, Aaron Browne 0-1 (free),

SARSFIELDS: Cathal Moore; Colm Hartnett, Cian Hughess, Kieran Dwyer; Daragh Conlon, Shea Ryan, Cathal White; Matty Byrne, Gavin Anderson; Callum Bolton, Barry Coffey, Con Kavanagh; Karl Hartley, Luke Mahon, Conor O’Donovan. Subs: Jimmy O’Neill for Kieran Dwyer (half-time); Ryan Kearney for Gavin Anderson (half-time); Daragh Ryan for Con Kavanagh (39 minutes); Cian Costigan for Matty Byrne (44 minutes); David Shalvey for Cathal White (61 minutes).

CELBRIDGE: Shane McNamara; Eoghan Light, Dean O’Donoghue, Peter McAteer; Kevin Flynn, Mick O’Grady, Niall O’Regan; Cian Powell, Cian Bolger; Mick Konstantin, Fergal Conway, Killian Browne; Davy Hughes, Aaron Browne, Luke Murray. Subs: Liam O’Flynn for Mick Konstantin half-time); Tony Archbold for Peter McAteer (41 minutes); James Dolan for Davy Hughes (47 minutes); Paddy Wall for Killian Browne (51 minutes); Hugh McGrillen for Luke Murray (57 minutes).

REFEREE: Billy O’Connell.