Athy of Kildare Advances in Leinster Championship
Athy of Kildare showcased an impressive performance in the Leinster Senior Club Championship, defeating Summerhill decisively. The match took place at Cedral St Conleth’s Park in Newbridge.
Athy’s Steady Rise in the Championship
The first half saw a challenging start for Athy. Summerhill, the Meath champions, quickly established a three-point lead following the opening throw-in. Athy took a few moments to find their rhythm, but soon Brian Maher registered their first point.
As the first half progressed, Athy closed the gap to just two points. A brilliant move allowed Maher to score a goal, temporarily putting Athy ahead. However, Summerhill managed to level the score before again taking the lead with 25 minutes on the clock. Despite this, Athy responded well, with Kevin Feely scoring a point, and David Hyland added another just before halftime, leaving Athy leading 1-6 to 0-8.
Athletic Dominance in the Second Half
The second half marked a remarkable turnaround for Athy. They intensified their defensive efforts and tackled with great urgency. Initially, the scoreboard did not reflect their improved game, but with points from Colm Moran and Sean Moore, Athy began to pull away. A stunning two-pointer from Niall Kelly further extended their lead, making the score 1-9 to 0-8 after 43 minutes, with Summerhill still yet to score.
Conor Lyons eventually opened the scoring for Summerhill. However, Athy continued their dominant display, scoring seven more points throughout the remainder of the match. They solidified their victory with a final score of Athy 1-16, Summerhill 0-9.
Match Statistics
| Team | Player | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Athy | Brian Maher | 1-1 |
| Athy | Kevin Feely | 0-3 |
| Athy | Niall Kelly | 0-3 (1 two-pointer) |
| Athy | Ben Purcell | 0-2 |
| Athy | Sean Moore | 0-2 |
| Athy | Colm Moran | 0-2 |
| Athy | David Hyland | 0-1 |
| Athy | James McGrath | 0-1 |
| Athy | Cian Keaveney | 0-1 |
| Summerhill | Liam Shaw | 0-4 (3 frees) |
| Summerhill | Diarmuid McCabe | 0-2 (two-pointer) |
| Summerhill | Jamie O’Shea | 0-1 |
| Summerhill | Barry Dardis | 0-1 |
| Summerhill | Conor Lyons | 0-1 |
Athy’s win in the Leinster Championship semi-final sets the stage for their continued pursuit of success in the tournament. Their ability to rally in the second half is a testament to their resilience and teamwork.
