Coill Dubh produce comeback for the ages to reach SHC semi-final
Coill Dubh's Declan Flaherty chases down Celbridge's Niall O Muineachain Photo: Sean Brilly
Gritty Coill Dubh brought all of their experience to bear as battled back from a ten-point deficit to edge out Celbridge at the death in a thrilling UPMC Senior Hurling Championship Quarter Final at Manguard Park.
With the wind at their backs a Celbridge side with Niall Ó Muineacháin sweeping superbly, Oisín Lynam and Alan Goss dominant at midfield and Gerry Keegan accurate as ever up front, seemed to have put enough between the sides when reaching half-time nine points ahead (3-11 to 1-8).
They stretched that advantage to ten points four minutes into the second half but only managed four more points as Coill Dubh, with veterans Mark Delaney, Éanna O’Neill, Declan Flaherty and Johnny Byrne showing the way, battled back bravely.
With Delaney finding his range with a clutch of long-range points, O’Neill brought them right back into it with a 43rd minute goal to leave only four between them and with seven minutes left Conor Carew’s fourth point further reduced the gap to two.
Keegan responded with a ’65 but Celbridge lost their composure somewhat, albeit under intense pressure, and substitute David Daly saw red three minutes from the end for a high challenge on Delaney.
Delaney picked himself up and drove the resultant free into the Celbridge goalmouth where Declan Flaherty was on hand to finish to the net. That made it 3-17 apiece with only two minute remaining, the sides level for the first time since the Andrew McNiffe had opened Celbridge’s account in the opening minute.
Extra-time looked a distinct possibility but Delaney fired over a 60th minute ’65 to send Coill Dubh ahead and after Celbridge went down to 13 men with Ó Muineacháin seeing red for an off-the-ball incident, the winners punished them further with Byrne rounding off the scoring three minutes into injury time.
Oisín Corboy; Jamie Kenna, Dylan Brereton, Conor Gordon; John Dee, Mark Grace, Fionn Moran; Enda Keane, Mark Delaney 0-9 (2fs,1’65); Éanna O’Neill 1-2, Declan Flaherty 1-1, Seán Dunne; Colm Gordon 0-1, Johnny Byrne 1-2, Conor Carew 0-4 (1f). Subs: Sean McLoughlin for Dunne 60+3.
Fiachra Ó Muineacháin; Jack O’Brien, Niall Ó Muineacháin, Odhran Conaty; Seán Mimnagh, Colman O’Donovan, Michael Owens; Oisín Lynam 0-3, Alan Goss; Cian Degrieck, Ben Elliott 2-0, Seán Gleeson; James Dolan 0-2, Gerry Keegan 0-9 (3fs,1’65), Andrew McNiffe 1-2. Subs: Kevin Murphy 0-1 for Degrieck 25, Cian McGrath for McNiffe 51, David Daly for Dolan 55.
Killian Jones.
