Celbridge shine to shake off semi-final nightmare with Athy win

Celbridge 2-16

Athy 0-17

They don't come much better than this SFC semi-final at Manguard Park on Saturday as Celbridge finally shook off their semi-final nightmares to make it to the final, their first since 2017, despite this being their tenth semi-final in a row.

The final score line however does little justice to Athy and while there is no disputing the best team marches on, a gap of five points is harsh on an Athy side who showed tremendous passion, hunger as they refused to lie down and roll over when all seemed lost.

Celbridge looked all but home and hosed when Fergal Conway blasted the ball to the Athy net in the 39 minute to put the boys in blue six points clear but Athy fought back, held Celbridge scoreless for the next 16 minutes as they clocked up six points on the trot to level the game on 55.

One felt at that stage that Celbridge were about to suffer yet another semi-final collapse but they steadied themselves at the right time, showed how different this side is from previous team from Hazelhatch going on to clinch with a couple of late points and a late, late goal.

It was a game as good as we have seen for many a long day. Competitive, some magnificent individual displays, great score taking, no shortage of commitment from both sides and expertly refereed by Brendan Cawley.

A foul on Paddy Brophy inside the opening minute saw Celbridge open with a Davy Hughes free and a minute later Paddy Wall doubled the advantage with a fine score.

A brilliant effort from Niall Kelly saw Athy off the mark and brother Barry leveled up soon after; Niall brought out the best in keeper McNamara who denied him at full stretch but the ball made its way to Barry who punched over.

Athy players were pouring back once they lost possession leaving Niall Kelly the sole man in his own halft.

A long ball in by David Hyland saw Kevin Feely make a brilliant fetch and duly converted the mark.

Feely then gained possession around the middle but Kevin O'Callaghan was on to him immediately, dispossed him, soloed before firing over for an inspirational point that leveledup matters again.

Athy came back with Feely making another brilliant catch, despite the presence of O'Callaghan and duly converted his second mark to regain the lead 0-4 to 0-3 on 18 minutes.

It was helter skelter stuff as Celbridge hit back with Fergal Conway finding Mick O'Grady who hit a beauty to tie it up again.

A tangle between Fergal Conway and Darren Lawler saw the Athy man pick up a yellow card.

Back came Athy and when Mick O'Grady fouled Barry Kelly, Liam McGovern fired over to regain the lead.

Suddenly Celbridge took command and with points from Paddy Brophy; another from the former county man following a turn-over; an Aaron Brown effort and another from Davy Hughes (free) saw Celbridge now lead by four 0-9 to 0-5.

Niall Kelly (free) reduced, Celbridge responded but James Roycroft denied Liam O'Flynn with a brilliant save, the ball going out for a 45; Shane McNamara converting with ease.

Another Kevin Feely mark reduced the deficit; Paddy Brophy replied before Paudie Behan pointed to leave the half-time score reading Celbridge 0-11 Athy 0-8.

A Davy Hughes early free extended the lead before Liam McGovern got his second with a brilliant long range effort and when Niall Kelly pointed after being set up by Barry the lead was down to just two points with 37 on the clock.

Hughes extended that with another free before Fergal Conway blasted to the net after Mick O'Grady won a kick out fed Conway who used his pace and strength to leave six between them — 1-13 to 0-10 — on 39 minutes.

Athy looked in deep trouble but they responded brilliantly showing great courage and belief they added six points on the trot from Niall Kelly (2 frees), Kevin Feely (yet another mark) followed by a free; Feely with a brilliant effort left one between and then yet another brilliant ball in from David Hyland was caught by Feely, who took his mark and to draw the sides level on 53 minutes, 1-13 to 0-16.

Brilliant stuff.

The next score was always going to be vital and it fell to Davy Hughes who held his nerve to convert a brilliant free; Niall Kelly replied with a similar score before Tony Archbold and John Clarke left two in it and then deep into time added on a move involving Killian Browne, Paddy Brophy, Kevin Flynn ended with Brophy palming to the net to leave five between them.

The long whistle arrived and it was Celbridge who advance after an absolute cracking game — final score Celbridge 2-16 Athy 0-17.

Scorers: Celbridge, Paddy Brophy 1-3, Davy Hughes 0-5 (5 frees), Fergal Conway 1-0, Mick O'Grady 0-2, Shane McNamara 0-1 (45), Kevin O'Callaghan 0-1, Paddy Wall 0-1, John Clarke 0-1, Tony Archbold 0-1, Aaron Browne 0-1.

Athy, Kevin Feely 0-7 (5 marks, 1 free), Niall Kelly 0-6 (2 frees), Liam McGovern 0-2 (free), Paudie Behan 0-1, Barry Kelly 0-1.

CELBRIDGE: Shane McNamara; John Clarke, Hughie McGrillen, Mick O'Grady; Kevin Flynn, Mick Konstantin, Liam O'Flynn; Dean O'Donoghue, Tony Archbold; Aaron Browne, Paddy Wall, Kevin O'Callaghan; Davy Hughes, Fergal Conway, Paddy Brophy. Subs: Killian Browne for Aaron Browne (49 minutes); Conor Plunkett for Paddy Wall (52 minutes); Peter McAteer for Hugh McGrillen (56 minutes); Niall O'Regan for Davy Hughes (65 minutes).

ATHY: James Roycroft; Cathal McCarron, Sean Bride, Mark Hyland; David Hyland, Darren Lawler, James McGrath; Kevin Feely, Paschal Connell; Liam McGovern, Paudie Behan, Killian Mulhall; Niall Kelly, Barry Kelly, Oisin O'Rourke. Subs: Sean Moore for Oisin O'Rourke (28 minutes); Conor Doyle for Liam McGovern (45 minutes); Cathal Kennedy for Killian Mulhall (47 minutes); Ben Purcell for Barry Kelly (64 minutes).

REFEREE: Brendan Cawley.

MAIN MAN

No shortage from booth sides. Kevin Feely superb throughout, Niall and Barry Kelly not far behind along with David Hyland.

For Celbridge Paddy Brophy, Mick O'Grdy, Kevin O'Callaghan, Davy Hughes and Fergal Conway all top class but Paddy Brophy just about edges it.

TURNING POINT

Goals are always so vital and in a game sudh as we had on Saturday the two scored by Celbridge were absolutely vital. However after Celbridge lost a six point lead with Athy holding them score less for some 16 minutes, it was the converted free by Davy Hughes that stopped the rot, steadied the ship and while Athy came back to level again, it was that Hughes point that really settled Micheál McDermott's side.

TALKING POINT

The game as a whole was simply top class and will be hard to surpass, brilliantlyrefereed by Brendan Cawley who showed just why he is so highly regarded by those in authority.

WHAT NOW?

Celbridge march on to their first final since 2017, which they lost; for Athy the season is over.