Suncroft got off to a good start with an early goal by Sam Prendergast but Celbridge picked off a couple of points to pull them back. It was attack for attack through the first half but Tadgh Delaney was assured in the goal and the Croft back line was rock solid and repelled numerous Celbridge attacks. In the corner’s, Leo Brannock had his best game of the year and Ethan Duignan had the full measure of his marker. Conn Kehoe at full back outfoxed, or outplayed, his much larger opponent on almost every occasion. Suncroft had the edge throughout the first half, Sean Brown who had moved to centre back and his half back teammates Conaill Brinkley and Mickey Troy slowed the Celbridge attack, were there to support the backs when needed and safely worked the ball up the field with Conor Martin and Senan Brannock in the middle. The forwards made the most of nearly every opportunity in the first half. In and unselfish forwards performance all six, Adam Hynes, Sam Prendergast, Jamie McGowan, Diarmuid Enright, Kieran Kelly and Alex King, were involved in nearly every score and what they didn’t score themselves the opened it up for the midfield or laid it on for their teammates. Jamie McGowan who was having a great game got a bang on the head just before half time and forced Suncrofts first change of the day. A strong and determined defence and economical use of the ball by the forwards allowed Suncroft to build a seven point lead by half time, Suncroft 4:05(17), Celbridge 2:04(10).
Celbridge piled on the pressure from the start of the second half and had the Croft’s defence under all kinds of pressure for most of the half. The Croft stood up well to the onslaught and limited Celbridge to one goal opportunity, which they converted. With the path to goal blocked Celbridge looked for points but good pressure from the backs curtailed their accuracy. Suncroft unloaded the bench to freshen thing up but despite some great interceptions and runs up the field by Conor Martin Suncroft were struggling to get the ball to the danger area. In the first twenty four or five minutes of the second half Suncroft only managed two points whereas Celbridge had a goal and two points to shrink the Croft’s lead to four points. Both teams got on the scoreboard in the closing minutes but Suncroft were back on top and maintained the four point gap despite not converting a few scorable frees. Suncroft 4:08(20), Celbridge 3:07(16).
Good team performance by Suncroft's full panel of players with every player playing to the limit, and beyond, of their ability. Great work and scoring from the midfield and all the forwards. Wing forward Adam Hynes won a phenomenal amount of dirty ball and Conor Martin in the middle worked his socks off. On the day the backs deserve much of the credit, Conn Kehoe put in a captains shift at full back and it would be hard to pick between Leo Brannock and Sean Browne for player of the game.
Panel: Tadgh Delaney, Leo Brannock, Conn Kehoe (C), Ethan Duignan, Mickey Troy, Conor Martin, Sean Browne, Conaill Brinkley, Senan Brannock, Adam Hynes, Sam Prendergast, Jamie McGowan, Diarmuid Enright, Kieran Kelly, Alex King, Ben Sinnott, Liam Conway, John Collins, Gavin Snell Fox, Sean Stynes, Colin Clarke & Ryan Behan O'Shea. Mentors: Derry Enright, Mickey Harnett, Andy Hynes & Declan Duignan.
