Celbridge ...... 1-11 Kildalkey ........ 1-10 Hosts Celbridge held off a late Kildalkey rally to prevail by the narrowest margin in this Leinster Club IHC fixture on Sunday afternoon. The Kildare SHC winners had the greater spread of scorers from play and this gave them the required leeway as their Meath counterparts finished strongly despite playing into the wind and sun in the second-half. When team captain Tony Murphy sent over two points from play in the 50th and 54th minutes respectively it was 1-11 to 1-8 to the home side. Kildalkey - wearing Meath jerseys due to a clash of colours - came with a late charge that yielded Noel Kirby points from a '65' and free respectively. A late effort from the tall centre from a free in midfield just dropped short and when the danger was cleared Celbridge were through to a semi-final meeting at home to Carlow opponents Mount Leinster Rangers on November 8. Backed by the elements Kildalkey hit the front within 20 seconds of the off through Derek Doran. Two minutes later Conor Kenny levelled matters when cutting in from the left. The sides exchanged points - Sean O'Carroll for Leixlip before Kirby levelled - prior to Mark Moloney's goal left it 1-2 to 0-2 to the home side 12 minutes in. A Sean Heavey point was Kildalkey's instant response but by the 20th minute they were four points in arrears, 0-4 to 1-5, despite playing with the strong wind and sun. Pat O'Halloran's men were revived by a Padraig Keogh goal from close range after a Kirby centre was batted clear. However, Paddy Moloney's third pointed free of the half left the men in lilywhite 1-6 to 1-4 to the good. Kildalkey regained parity by half-time, at 1-6 each, courtesy of Derek Doran and Kirby (free). Despite playing against the elements, Kildalkey hit the front on two occasions in the third quarter with a brace of pointed Kirby frees. In between those scores Celbridge midfielder John Houlihan sent over a sideline cut. Anthony McCormack's men made what proved to be the match-winning burst with four points on the spin string with Paddy Moloney's third converted free of the hour that levelled matters for the fifth and final time. A Houlihan point in the 46th minute put Celbridge back in front where they remained 'til the end. Celbridge - N. Lanigan; F. Byrne, P. Curtin, C. Ryan; F. O Muineachain, D. Moloney, N. O Muineachain; B. White, J. Houlihan (0-2, 1 s'line); C. Kenny (0-2), D. Heffernan, M. Moloney (1-0); P. Moloney (0-3, fs), S. O'Carroll (0-1), T. Murphy (0-3). Subs - P. Moore for Heffernan (47), S. White for P. Moloney (52). Kildalkey - G. McNally; C. Dunne, S. Forde, D. Lahart; M. Keogh, E. Keogh, M. Doran; S. Corrigan, T. Fox; P. Keogh (1-0), N. Kirby (0-7, 6 fs, 1 '65'), G. Geoghegan; D. Doran (0-2), N. Fitzgerald, S. Heavey (0-1). Subs - P. Conneely for Geoghegan (24), G. Kelly for Corrigan (45), M. Potterton for Conneely (53). Referee - T. Carroll (Offaly). Tweet

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