Raheens continue winning ways with U23 title
Raheens with the U23A trophy Photo: Sean Brilly
Raheens secured the Westgrove Hotel Clane U23 A Football Championship with a deserving seven point win over Celbridge in a game that, despite the wind and rain, was entertaining throughout. Celbridge led by the minimum at the break but 3-6 in that closing 30 minutes saw Raheens over the line.
This Raheens side were back boned by the majority of the side that secured an All Ireland schools title with Naas CBS and a Minor A Kildare title two years ago. It certainly bodes well for the future of the club with the conveyor belt of talent.
Celbridge got off to the perfect start as within 90 seconds Aaron Browne had the ball in the Raheens net, Browne getting on the end of Johnny Owens's long pass before sliding it under David Mc Partlin. Ten minutes had elapsed when Jack Taffee fired over the first Raheens score but Darragh Finnegan quickly restored the three point lead with a fine effort from 30 metres.
The next 15 minutes belonged to the Rsheens men as Daire Gilmartin, Niall Dolan and Gavin Thompson with two were all on target to put the Caragh men in front for the first time. Raheens should have added to their lead but they brought their wides tally to five before the break. Fionn Tully did set up Jack Taffee for a goal chance but he fumbled the initial effort.
Celbridge finished the half the stronger and two points in two minutes left them 1-3 to 0-5 ahead as Colm Kearney brought the half to a close. Ross Maycock and a brilliant long range effort from centre back Peter McAteer ensuring the narrow advantage.
Sean McLoughlin and Niall Dolan had Raheens back in front within two minutes of the restart. Aaron Browne from a free and Niall Dolan traded points before the Browne brothers combined for the games second goal. A cross field pass from Aaron was won by Killian and he fired low into the corner of David Mc Partlin's net. Aaron then added his second point to open a three point advantage. Raheens seemed to be in trouble.
After Gavin Thompson added his third to reduce the gap it was again that man Aaron Browne who quickly restored the three point buffer. The game changed in a five minute spell between the 45th and 50th minutes. Evan Gilmartin was only on the field a matter of minutes when he fired to the back of the Celbridge net.The powerful and strong running Dara Crowley put Raheens back in front with a shot from distance.
When Raheens overcame Athy in last week's semi final they hit two quick goals mid way through that second half and when Niall Dolan repeated the dose on 50 Raheens were suddenly four ahead. Dolan showed great pace and composure before firing into an empty Celbridge net. Dolan intercepted a Celbridge line ball beating Sean Hayden to the ball and then rounding Senan Cuffe to leave the simple finish.
Aaron Browne closed the gap with his fourth of the evening but it wasn't to be enough.
A powerful run from Jack Taffee on the cusp of 60 minutes saw him offload to Gavin Thompson who fired home a third Raheens goal. Dara Crowley finished off a fine individual performance with a fisted point deep in injury time and after referee Colm Kearney had to leave the field injured late in the day it was his replacement Ger Arnold who brought proceedings to a close with a fine 3-11 to 2-7 Raheens victory.
A fine win for this young Raheens side and these lads are sure to bring more silverware to Tom Lawlor Park over the coming years.Celbridge have had a disappointing end to the season with both the seniors and the U23 losing county finals.There is no denying the level of talent at their disposal but they need success to back that up.
David Mc Partlin, Niall Cramer, Jack Hamill, Cathal O’Toole, Fionn Tully, Daniel Hamill, Ciaran Kavanagh, Fionn Cooke, Dara Crowley 0-2, Daire Gilmartin 0-1, Sean McLoughlin 0-1, Jack Taffee 0-1, Conor Kelly, Niall Doolan 1-3, Gavin Thompson 1-3. SUBS: Evan Gilmartin 1-0 for McLoughlin, 37; Luke O’Donovan for Kelly 43.
Senan Cuffe, Brian Synnott, Sean Hayden, Nathan O’Leary Moore, Darragh Finnegan 0-1, Peter McAteer 0-1, Niall O’Regan, Johnny Owens, Paddy Wall, Oisin Lynam, Killian Browne 1-0, Cormac O’Sullivan, James Dolan, Aaron Browne 1-4 (3fs), Ross Maycock 0-1. SUBS: Sean Gleeson for Maycock, 48; Sam Kelly for Lynam, 52.
Colm Kearney
