Celbridge result never in doubt as they reach semi-finals

Celbridge 1-15 

Clane 0-7

Celbridge are through to the Joe Mallon Motors SFC semi-final following a facile win over Clane at Manguard Park, on Saturday afternoon.

It was a game that Celbridge were never at any stage looking like losing but having said that the winners were far from impressive.

Ahead at the break 1-6 to 0-3, the second half was poor at times before Celbridge hit five points in five minutes between the 45 and 50 minute and that effectively killed it as a contest.

The opening half was certainly a slow-burner and while Celbridge had the bulk of the possession they hit five wides along with a couple of shorts.

Clane hit three 'shorts' along with a couple of wides but it was not until close to the half-time the break the Celbridge finally put a bit of day-light between the sides.

Clane opened with a point from Tadhg Montgomery after a pass from Shane O'Sullivan.

Celbridge then upped a few gears with points from Aaron Browne, Mick O'Grady and Dean O'Donoghue to make it 0-3 to 0-1 after ten minutes.

A foul on Shane O'Sullivan saw Sam McCormack open his account with a free but it was the boys from the north of the county who were looking that bit more dangerous and after a fine move, began with a great turnover by John Clarke, saw Tony Archbold find Aaron Browne and the full forward fired over.

The same player then converted a mark but Clane came back with full back Sean Callan made a bursting run through the middle, was fouled and Brian McLoughlin converted the free.

Former county man, Fergal Conway, then came forward splitting the posts and two minutes before the break the decisive score of the half arrived when Tony Archbold put Aaron Brown in but he was fouled, penalty, and while Aaron Browne's effort was saved by Cian Burke in the Clane goals, the ball broke back to Browne who remained calm before firing to the net, to make it 1-6 to 0-3.

As the half-time arrived Clane's Sam McCormack was attacking, looking for movement up front but little was forthcoming as the no. 11 made his displeasure known to his team mates for their 'non-movement' and who could blame him.

Half-time Celbridge 1-6 Clane 0-3.

With fifteen minutes gone in the second half there had only been four points scored, Clane with the first after three minutes while Paddy Brophy, Mick Konstantin and Tony Archbold raised white flags for Celbridge.

Shane O'Sullivan got one back for Clane before that five point burst from the winners killed off the game.

Niall O'Regan, Fergal Conway and Aaron Browne ended the scoring for the winners with Rhys Vaughan getting a consolation point for Clane.

Final score: Celbridge 1-15 Clane 0-7.

Scorers: Celbridge, Aaron Browne 1-5 (2 marks), Fergal Conway 0-2, Tony Archbold 0-2, Dean O'Donoghue 0-1, Mick O'Grady 0-1, Fergal Conway 0-1, Mick Konstantin 0-1, Niall O'Regan 0-1, Paddy Brophy 0-1.

Clane, Shane O'Sullivan 0-2 (mark), Sam McCormack 0-1 (free), Brian McLoughlin 0-1 (free), Tadhg Montgomery 0-1, Rhys Vaughan 0-1, Adam Fitzpatrick 0-1.

CELBRIDGE: Shane McNamara; John Clarke, Cian Powell, Mick Konstantin; Dean O'Donoghue, Fergal Conway, Liam O'Flynn; Hugh McGrillen, Mick O'Grady; Niall O'Regan, Peter McAteer, Tony Archbold; Paddy Brophy, Aaron Browne, Killian Browne. Subs: Kevin O'Callaghan for Paddy Brophy (43 minutes); James Dolan for Killian Browne (58 minutes); Paddy Wall for Cian Powell (58 minutes); Conor Plunkett for Niall O'Regan (61 minutes).

CLANE: Cian Burke; Harry O'Neill, Sean Callan, Hugh Prendergast; Conor Walsh, Cian Shanahan, Sam Reilly; Shane McCormack, Brian McLoughlin; Cormac Vazzard, Sam McCormack, Sean Tighe; Tadhg Montgomery, Adam Fanning, Shane O'Sullivan. Subs: Stephen Brereton for Sean Tighe (half-time); Rhys Vaughan for Cormac Vizzard (35 minutes); Cathal O'Brien for Sam Reilly (50 minutes); Adam Fitzpatrick for Adam Fanning (50 minutes); Danny Egan for Brian McLoughlin (59 minutes).

REFEREE: Brendan Cawley.