Championship Round1
Johnstownbridge 1-15
Sallins 0-11

Johnstownbridge manager Declan Kerrigan must have been looking forward to unleashing his full compliment of county men as he planned for his side’s championship opener.
However, after picking up a knock against Meath Brian Flanagan was forced to sit it out. Thanks to the man who left out to his left in Pairc Tilteann last week, the Bridge were ensured a good win, even without their captain.
Keith Cribbin hit 1-7, and although most were frees they were far from easy ones on 21 yard line. Sallins were not expecting to win this one but they still made sure that it was not going to be a mauling, as up front Eamonn McCormack was in fine form.
Johnstownbridge hit the ground running with Cathal McNally showing well and laying off cleverly. Keith and then minor star Paul Cribbin, got on the scoreline before Eamonn McCormack got Sallins off the mark.
Then it began to look worrying for Sallins as Cribbin the elder and Padraig Hurley added points. Then Paul Cribbin fed his brother on the run to finish to the net after 11 minutes.
A free from Conor Herbert only gave his side a brief respite as two Keith Cribbin frees and a good score from midfielder Barry McNally saw the Bridge race eight points clear.
Both sides swapped scores with Conor Herbert (2), Niall Herbert and Eamonn McCormack cancelling out Eoin O’Donoghue, Sean and Padraig Hurley’s point for the Bridge. This left it 1-10 to 0-6 at half time.
After the change of ends Eamonn McCormack was the man giving Sallins some hope, as ‘Jacko’ hit two superb scores off his trusty left peg. Keith Cribbin responded with another nicely struck free from the sod before McCormack played in Conor Herbert who split the posts.
Sallins showing more belief and Johnstownbridge began to slow the ball down too much instead of hitting the quick ball that had been so successful in the opening half. Cribbin still had his sight for goal right as he hit a free and a 45 restore a seven point lead.
As two Conor Herbert frees sandwiched a Shane Flanagan score the game became very stretched and the Bridge were funnelling back and running from the defence when they had ball in hand.
Positions meant little, a point illustrated when Johnstownbridge wing back shot from an extremely acute angle when after popping up in the corner forward position.
That was to be the last piece of notable action on a wonderfully sunny evening in Rathcoffey that was pleasant only for those wearing green, white and blue.
JOHNSTOWNBRIDGE: David Maguire, James O’Connor, Michael Donnelly, Des Holton, Aenghus Gannon 0-1, Noel Cawley, Paul Mooney, Barry McNally 0-1, Padraig Hurley 0-2, Will Holton, Keith Cribbin 1-7 (5f, 1 45), Paul Cribbin 0-1, Eoin O’Donoghue 0-1 (f), Sean Hurley 0-1, Cathal McNally. Sub: Shane Flanagan 0-1 for P Hurley (38mins).
SALLINS: Aaron Smith, Wayne Farrell, Eoin Delmer, Granit Leci, Damo Keefe, Tim Collins, Peter O’Connell, John Boland, Fergal Swan, Niall Herbert 0-1 (f), Damo Stephens, Justin McLoughlin, Derek Walsh, Eamonn McCormack 0-4, Conor Herbert 0-6 (5f). Subs: Fergal Nugent for Walsh (20mins), Eoin Ennis for Boland (h/t), Mark Donnelly for Collins (51mins).