Kildare SFC: O'Sullivan leads Celbridge to first title

October 28, 2008
Celbridge 1-9 Sarsfields 0-10 Celbridge claimed their first ever Kildare Senior Football Championship title at the second time of asking last night with a two-point victory over Sarsfields at Newbridge. The north Kildare outfit had squandered their chances last weekend and had their first ever Kildare SFC decider appearance resulting in a draw, and they could thank the sound accuracy of key score-getter Mark O'Sullivan, who struck 0-7, for a first senior triumph here. A goal from Tom Fitzgerald after just 40 seconds of play in this replay saw them coast into an early lead before Sarsfields began to fight back through Paddy Campbell and Dermot Earley, which saw the Newbridge men level the game 1-3 to 0-6 at the half-time interval. Campbell put Sarsfields ahead moments into the restart for the first time with a free, and from there both he and O'Sullivan sent over accurate placed balls until O'Sullivan put two points in the game after being impeded in front of goal himself. Barry Moyles' sole score for the evening with little time remaining looked to have the game wrapped up for Celbridge. However, Sarsfields kept the fight going right up to the final moments with Campbell and Enda Freaney shooting the points that had them within a score of their opponent's right at the death. Freaney was presented with the chance to send the game into extra-time, but an outstanding block down from centre-back Mick Wright denied him, and when Tom Fitzgerald raced up field he made no mistake in hitting the point that ensured Celbridge of a first senior triumph.

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