Celbridge reach 13th successive SFC semi-final after hard-fought win
Celbridge group together following their win over Raheens Photo: Sean Brilly
Celbridge are through to the semi-finals of the Joe Mallon Motors Senior Football Championship for a 13th successive season after showing their battling qualities once again to see off Raheens at St Conleth’s Park.
Despite playing the final stages with 14 men following Kevin Flynn’s 54th minute black card, Celbridge held their nerve when it mattered most, producing the decisive scores in injury-time to secure their place in the last four.
While the contest never truly reached great heights in terms of quality, it was another demonstration of the resilience that has become a hallmark of this Celbridge team this year. Having claimed their final two group-stage victories with injury-time winners, they were once again tested to the limit here.
Celbridge made the brighter start and opened up an early two-point lead, but Raheens responded impressively with four unanswered scores. However, their final point of the first half came as early as the 12th minute through Niall Dolan.
With Raheens struggling to maintain their momentum, Celbridge seized control before the break, reeling off the final four points of the half to take a 0-6 to 0-4 advantage into the interval.
The favourites almost made the perfect start to the second half when Fergal Conway rattled the crossbar, but scores remained hard to come by.
Jack Taafe eventually ended a near 20-minute scoring drought for Raheens and that score sparked a much more competitive spell as the sides traded points.
Celbridge looked to have one foot in the semi-finals when Kevin Flynn and James Dolan stretched the lead to 0-11 to 0-8 in the 52nd minute. At the other end, goalkeeper David McPartlin was forced into action, producing two important saves to deny Kevin O’Callaghan.
Flynn’s black card soon after gave Raheens renewed hope and they took full advantage when Gavin Thompson landed an excellent two-pointer to cut the gap to the minimum entering injury-time.
With momentum seemingly swinging towards Raheens, the game hung in the balance. However, inspired by the leadership and work-rate of Conway, Celbridge found another gear when it mattered most.
Killian Browne and Liam O'Flynn landed the crucial late scores to settle any nerves and ensure Celbridge's remarkable run of successive semi-final appearances remains intact.
Shane McNamara; Eoghan Light, Cian Powell, Hugh McGrillen, Kevin Flynn, Dean O’Donoghue 0-1, Tony Archbold 0-1; Kevin O’Callaghan, Paddy Wall; Mick Konstantin, Fergal Conway 0-1, Killian Browne 0-3, James Dolan 0-1, Aaron Browne 0-1, Luke Murray. Subs: Cian Bolger for Wall, 10; Davy Hughes 0-2 for Murray, 23; Liam O’Flynn for Konstantin, h/t; Niall O’Regan for Archbold, 40; Peter McAteer for O’Callaghan, 52.
David McPartlin; Niall Cramer, Fionn Tully, Shane Crowley, Daniel Hamill, Conor Earley, Dara Crowley 0-1; Liam Power, Conor Kelly 0-1; Luke O’Donovan, Paddy Woodgate, David Malone, Gavin Thompson 0-4(1tp, 1f), Jack Taaffe 0-3, Niall Dolan 0-1. Subs: Daire Gilmartin for O’Donovan, 40; Graham Waters for Dolan, 52.
Kieran Harris
