Edenderry……3-13
Celbridge…….2-13
On Sunday last Edenderry’s under 16 footballers played their second challenge game of the year, when they played Celbridge at home in a most entertaining game of football. After a game of end to end football Edenderry emerged winners by a goal on a scoreline of 3-13 to 2-13.
Edenderry made a similar start to their first game against Moorefield, when Daniel Nolan powered through the middle of the Celbridge defence and hit a good shot which the Celbridge goalie saved, but Cormac Hurley was very alert as he pounced to stick the ball in the back of the net from the rebound. That goal was followed up by a good Sean Doyle point. But Celbridge soon settled and scored three points in a row to narrow the Edenderry lead to a single point. Edenderry then responded with a point from Aaron O’Connell, after good work from Mark Nolan and Sean Doyle. And then Sean Doyle added his second point with a good shot. Celbridge scored another three points in a row; one from play and two from frees to level the match at 1-03 to 0-06. Sean Doyle then got Edenderry’s nose in front with a good point, before Celbridge hit Edenderry with a goal and a point. Edenderry ended the half with two points from Peter O’Neill, one from play and one from a free, and Celbridge finished with one further point.
Halftime, Edenderry 1-06 Celbridge 1-08.
Celbridge started the second half on the attack, and won a 45 metre free. From the resulting kick, the ball was launched into the Edenderry square. But with some confusion in the Edenderry defence, the ball ended up in the back of the net. Edenderry heads didn’t drop, as they then scored a goal from Aaron O’Connell, and a point from a Peter O’Neill free. Celbridge looked to be in for their third goal, but luckily for Edenderry, Shane Steel got back brilliantly to make a great block on the goal-line. The Edenderry management made a treble substitution with Eoghan Kelliher, John McCormack and Shane Menton coming into the action in place of Stephen Dillon, Cian Lawton and Mark Nolan. Celbridge grabbed the next score, when they scored a point from a rebound after a free had hit the Edenderry post. Then Sean Doyle grabbed the best score of the game when Sean Moriarty played a pin-point pass over the top of the Celbridge defence to Sean Doyle, who chipped the on-rushing goalie. Celbridge then hit another point to level the game, before points from Sean Doyle and Shane Menton put Edenderry back in front. Yet again Celbridge levelled with a point from play and a point from a free. But cousins Aaron O’Connell and Peter O’Neill (free) pushed The Reds back in front with a point apiece. Celbridge pulled a point back, but Edenderry finished stronger with two great points from Aaron O’Connell and Sean Doyle to give their side a three point victory.
Although both teams were missing a few players, this turned out to be a very entertaining game of football between two evenly matched sides. Edenderry had some very good performances from Shane Cronin, Andrew Forde, Sean Moriarty, Shane Steel, Peter O’Neill, Aaron O’Connell and Sean Doyle. Edenderry would like to thank Celbridge for making the trip down for the game, and we would like to thank Pat Brady for refereeing the game.
Edenderry will play Clara in the first round of the U16 Championship this Friday 24th April in Clara at 7pm. Referee with the will be Noel Cooney.
Team: Shane Hayes; Jason Farrell, Shane Cronin, Andrew Forde; Sean Moriarty, Peter Connolly, Shane Steel; Daniel Nolan, Peter O’Neill (0-4); Aaron O’Connell (1-3), Cian Lawton, Mark Nolan; Cormac Hurley (1-0), Sean Doyle (1-5), Stephen Dillon.
Substitutes: Eoghan Kelliher, John McCormack, Shane Menton.
Referee: Pat Brady.
