SHL Round 7
12th June @ Celbridge
Ardclough 1-16 Celbridge 0-07

 

Ardclough have earned a place in the Senior Hurling League Semi-Finals thanks to a well-earned win away to Celbridge.

Ardclough knew they needed a win if they wanted to progress to the knockout stages and approached this game with a knock-out mentality.

Although missing some regulars, Celbridge fielded a strong side but were overpowered by Ardclough’s will to win.

The ‘Clough’s were not bothered by the slippery underfoot conditions and surged into an early lead, with points from Paul Fitzgerald and Tony Spain (2)

It took a great effort from Conor Kenny to get Celbridge off the mark and Gerry Keegan got another from a free, before being cancelled out by a Martin Fitzgerald pointed free.

The lively Keegan added another after racing down the wing and evading Ard defenders.

Ardclough forwards continued to cause problems for the home defence and a point by Colm Buggy was then followed by a goal set him by him.

After a run upfield saw Buggy tear through the defence before passing the ball, away from the grasp of the onrushing keeper Niall Lanigan, and to corner-forward Johnny Reeves, who finished to the net.

Ardclough then outscored their opponents by four points to one in the final moments of the half to lead by seven at the break.

Half-Time

Ardclough 1-09
Celbridge 0-05

Ardclough were again attacking the Celbridge half when play resumed, with Celbridge’s fouling helping Fitzgerald add to his points tally from frees.

Billy White responded for Celbridge with two frees of his own, with one being driven over from midfield.

The hosts then entered a barren scoring spell as Ardclough pushed on.

A more determined Ardclough pressured Celbridge all over the field and kept them scoreless in the final twenty minutes of the game.

Enda Duane and Richie Hoban were solid launching pads, at 3 and 6 respectively, for Ardclough attacks.

Martin Fitzgerald pointed another two frees, ending the game with a seven point total.

While at the other end a good goal chance for Celbridge ended with Paddy Moloney striking into the side-netting.

From then on Ardclough hit four more scores, with seven different scorers all getting on the scoresheet by games end.

Both Ardclough and Celbridge now progress to the Semi-Finals.

Ardclough:

Aidan Buggle; Niall Coulston, Enda Duane, Peter Coleman 0-01; Enda Hoey, Richie Hoban, Philip Fitzgerald; Paul Fitzgerald, Martin Fitzgerald 0-07 (6f’s & 1’65); Tony Spain 0-02, Brian Coulston 0-01, Ronan O’Malley; Colm Buggy 0-01, Cathal Fenton 0-02, Johnny Reeves 1-00

Subs:
Barry Molloy for B.Coulston, Paul Hogan 0-01 for C.Buggy

Celbridge:

Niall Lanigan; Shane McNamara, Denis Kenny, Patrick Curtain; Billy White 0-02 (2f’s), Aidan McDonagh, Dave Kirwan; Danny Butler, Paddy Moloney; Leo Quinn, Conor Kenny 0-02, Gerry Keegan 0-03 (2f’s); Marcus Kinsella, Paul Mullen, Peter Beirne.

Subs:
Danny Glennon for P.Mullen, Conor Daly for P.Beirne

Referee: Paddy Moore (Clane)