Kells lined out on a fresh Saturday afternoon against Runaway Division 3A leaders BJD knowing that nothing but 100% effort and strict discipline would give them a chance in this game and that was found in each and every man in the Grange.

Kells started brightly zipping the ball around on a stodgy surface and took the lead within 5 minutes when a wonderful through ball down the left channel found Liam Day in full stride. A menacing run from youngster Kuba Bidzinski drew the 2 defenders and Liam found himself 1 on 1 on the edge of the box and dispatched the ball with aplomb to put Kells 1 up.

BJD came our strong and monopolised the ball for a period after but the defence and midfield stood strong with keeper Ben Farrelly making some routine saves. Short before half time, the indomitable Kuba Bidzinski doubled the lead with a sublime finish from the edge of the box finding the top corner.

The 2nd half was following the same pattern with Kells spurning 2 gilt edged chances before the landscape was changed with captain Cian McManus getting 2 soft yellows in quick succession and leaving Kells down to 10 for the last 30 minutes.

The defence with Tom Smith sitting tightly in front of them weathered an onslaught for the rest of the game and for 10 of the 11 minutes of added time before BJD grabbed a scrappy consolation goal in the last minute.

A final awaits for this wonderful team guided superbly from the sideline by Joe Rooney and Figgy Curran and deservedly so.

Kells Celtic: Ben Farrelly, Aaron Rooney, Ciaran Keating, Niall Williams, David Shipp, Cian McManus, Chris Darga, Tom Smith, Kuba Bidzinski, Carl Jordan, Liam Day,

12. Paddy Murray 🔄 Liam Day
13. Gary McGovern 🔄 Tom Smith
14. Daniel Farrelly 🔄 Kuba Bidzinski