Celbridge pushed all the way but take the points over Sallins in SFL opener

Celbridge eventually shook off a gritty Sallins outfit on Friday night to get themselves off the mark in the 2026 Hanlon Concrete Ltd Senior Football League Division 1.

Playing host to last season’s provincial Intermediate champions, Celbridge led by just two points with 26 minutes played, but a strong finish to the opening half saw them enlarge that deficit to seven.

And they managed to keep their opponents at arm’s length over the course of the second half, despite Cian Grimes serving up an impressive 1-10 for the visitors.

Aaron Browne’s ability to deliver from beyond the arc went a long way to handing the home side the inside track in this fixture, the Celbridge forward landing three superb long-range attempts in the opening half, with Davy Hughes also converting from distance just ahead of the recess.

Sallins, however, managed to stay in touch, thanks in no small measure to the clinical finishing of Grimes, who combined with Alan Marshall to prise open the opposing defence before rifling the ball to the bottom left of the net on 23 minutes.

Very efficient
But Celbridge proved very efficient when they attacked at speed, Killian Browne, Fergal Conway, Cillian O’Neill and substitute, Niall O’Regan also contributing on the score board as Alan Costello’s side opened up a 0-17 to 1-7 lead by the interval.

And while Grimes did draw first blood for Sallins in the second half by way of a 45, Celbridge hit back with a goal seconds later compliments of another of their subs, Tony Archbold.

Grimes converted the first of his two two-pointers on the night, but again the hosts responded with interest as Aaron and Killian Browne, Hughes, O’Regan all struck over in quick succession to leave 11 points between the sides.

Grimes continued to deliver for Sallins from both sides of the arc, but it was not enough to see them close the gap on their opponents.

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Scorers: Celbridge: Aaron Browne 0-9 (three 2pt, two frees), Davy Hughes 0-7 (one 2pt), Tony Archibold 1-0, Killian Browne 0-3, Niall O’Regan 0-2, Cillian O’Neill 0-1, Fergal Conway 0-1.

Sallins: Cian Grimes 1-10 (two 2pt, three frees, one 45), Luke Killian 0-1, Cian Kilbride 0-1, Rory Gavin 0-1, Stephen Kelly 0-1.

CELBRIDGE: Shane McNamara, Hugh McGrillen, John Clarke, Cian Powell, Dean O’Donoghue, Mick O’Grady, Eoghan Light, Fergal Conway, Liam O’Flynn, Mick Konstantin, Killian Browne, Peter McAteer, Davy Hughes, Aaron Browne, Cillian O’Neill. Subs: Niall O’Regan for O’Grady (8 minutes), Tony Archbold for Clarke (31 mins), Kevin O’Callaghan for McAteer (44 minutes), Daragh Finnegan for O’Flynn (52 mins), Kevin Gorman for Conway (55 minutes).

SALLINS: Ryan Herbert, Sean O’Domhnaill, Mark Moynihan, Darren Keane, Luke Kelly, Luke Killian, Glen McEvoy, Sean Conway, Lorcan McKenna, Cian Grimes, Daragh Mangan, Rory Gavin, Cian Kilbride, Alan Marshall, Kevin Foley. Subs: Stephen Kelly for Foley; Ruairi O Domhnaill for Keane (both half-time); Sean Egan for Conway (40 minutes), Emmet Ralph for Marshall (53 minutes).

REFEREE: Fergus Devereux