Celbridge struggle before getting better of Clogherinkoe in Kildare SFC
Joe Mallon Motors, Group A
Celbridge 0-14
Clogherinkoe 1-7
Pre-match favourites Celbridge picked up a valuable two points in the Joe Mallon SFC Group A encounter but they didn't have it all their own way as they got a big fright from Clogherinkoe as they were made battle all the way to secure the four point victory.
The supremely talented Jack Robinson caused all sorts of problems for the Celbridge defence and whether it was one two or three marking him he was able to get himself in the clear. He opened the scoring inside a minute turning Hugh McGrillen to tap over.
Kevin Flynn leveled it on three but Celbridge were frustrated for long periods in that opening half as The Cloghs regularly had thirteen behind the ball.
Johnny Owens kicked a good point on seven to ease Celbridge in front for the first time. Sixty seconds later Jack Robinson tied it up at 0-2 each. Cein McMonagle and Davy Hughes had time to get their names on the board.
Jack Robinson continued to cause problems and he would add a second free after Aedan Boyle was fouled.
Celbridge reverted to runners from deep and it was Kevin Flynn who added his second on the quarter hour mark getting past a couple of tackles to level it again.
Robinson added two before the break to push Clogherinkoe two ahead for the first time.
Paddy Brophy had time for a 30th minute free to leave it 0-6 to 0-5 in favour of the Cloughs at the break.
Some strong words at half time saw Celbridge up it a gear. They turned a one point deficit into a three point lead as we passed the end of the third quarter.
Paddy Brophy started the second half where he finished the first with a good point after Killian Browne's effort dropped short and Brophy reacted the quickest to tap over.
The always busy Tony Archbold also hit two in a row before Paddy Brophy's third opened the three point gap.
Clogherinkoe were still playing with a lot of fire. A 48 minute free for a foul on Cein McMonagle by Fergal Conway was moved forward for Conway's dissent and when Robinson's long ball dropped short Ciaran Flynn got a fist to it to rattle the Celbridge net.
Game back on but it only awoke Celbridge and they hit five in a row without reply. Killian Browne and Mick O'Grady with two each before Liam O'Flynn added his name to the score sheet.
Clogherinkoe will be disappointed with their second half return. Jack Robinson reduced the gap to four after 63 minutes, only their second score of the half but they will be disappointed with six second half wides.
Next up for the Cloghs is Clane and another tough encounter is in the offing.
The meeting of Celbridge and Carbury could be interesting as Carbury's excellent defensive structure is poised to frustrate Celbridge again.
CELBRIDGE: Shane McNamara; John Clarke, Hughie McGrillen, Mick O'Grady 0-2; Kevin Flynn 0-2, Mick Konstantin, Liam O Flynn 0-1; Dean O'Donoghue, Tony Archbold 0-2; Paddy Wall, Johnny Owens 0-1, Kevin O'Callaghan; Davy Hughes 0-1, Fergal Conway, Paddy Brophy 0-3 (1 free). Subs: Killian Browne 0-2 for Johnny Owens 26; Conor Plunkett for Paddy Wall half-time; Cormac O'Sullivan for Davy Hughes 44.
CLOGHERINKOE: Keith Wilkinson; David Hill, Elian Scanlon, Ben Kenny; Rory Phelan, Gavin Scanlon, Ciaran Flynn 1-0; Daniel Grehan, Killian Galligan; Caelum Flanagan, Mark Nolan, Aedan Boyle; Jack Robinson 0-6 (4 frees), Cein McMonagle 0-1, Eoghan McMonagle. Subs: Conor Swan for Caelum Flanagan half-time; Aaron Smyth for Cein McMonagle 59.
REFEREE: Fergal Barry.