Athy come from 18 points behind to remain top of Division 1A
Tom Sheedy goes over for for a much-need try for Athy just before half time. Photos: Aisling Hyland.
Athy made it a perfect 20 points from 20 in Division 1A of the Leinster League as they overcame Wicklow on Saturday afternoon at The Showgrounds.
Athy set the tone in the first few weeks of the new season with three consecutive wins, all of which came with try-scoring bonus points. Wicklow, meanwhile, came to The Showgrounds within touching distance of their hosts on the back of two straight vicories following a defeat in week one.
This was easily Athy's most testing challenge of the season to date, but Phil DeBarra's side had enough about them come from behind and not only win the game from 18 points down, but did so with a bonus-point to boot that means the Kildare club remain on top of the league.
Playing into a stiff breeze in the first half, the hosts found themselves trailing by 24-6 after 35 minutes with two Josh Miller penalties their only scoring responses to a rampant Wicklow performance that yielded three tries.
It was only in the last play of the half that the Athy attack clicked, finishing with Tom Sheedy barrelling over for a try, which Josh Miller converted, to leave the score at 24-13 at the interval.
The third quarter saw Athy take complete control, forcing a string of penalties before yielding a try in the 48th minute through Daniel Henry’s acrobatic finish in the corner.
Tom Sheedy added his second try in the 52nd minute with Josh Miller converting both to give Athy the lead for the first time at 27-24.
The try of the day came on 65 minutes when Josh Miller kicked through, recovered the ball and threw an outrageous offload out the back to Daniel Henry who cantered behind the posts.
Miller converted before adding a third penalty on 77 minutes. Wicklow scored a fourth try of their own to close out the game and secure a bonus point, but ultimately the day belonged to the hosts.
Athy are on the road next Saturday when they travel to Spollenstown to face third-place Tullamore, while holding a two-point lead over Boyne in the league table.
Aidan Henry; Cathal Fennessy, Tom Sheedy (2 tries), Josh Miller (3 pens, 4 cons), Daniel Henry (2 tries); Craig Miller, Eoin Farrell; Aaron Rowan, Matthew Henry, Conan Dunne; Kevin Downey, Sean Donohoe; Niall O'Hanlon, John Sheedy, Jack Henry.
Richard McCarthy Moloney, Xander Pereira, Patrick Julian, Joe Cole, Shane Fata.
Caolan Mooney; Aaron Byrne, Brian Johnston, Shane Farrar, William Fitzpatrick; Paddy McKenzie, Ben Watson; Nicolás Fernández-Durán, Mark Nicholson, Louis Lyons; Stephen Swan, Dylan Byrne; Peter Schmidt, Aaron Withy, Liam Nicholson.
Jason Byrne, Michael Byrne, Eamonn Goddard, Frank Reynolds.
David Williams.
The Showgrounds hosted it's first ever Adult Leinster League triple-header on Saturday, featuring the J1 men and women, both of whom were looking to extend their 100% records, as well as the J2 men.
A big crowd enjoyed a tremendous atmosphere with some sparkling rugby on show along with the Clubhouse Bar, BBQ and Ruck & Roast Coffee Shop all being very busy.
Try scorers were Anna Delahunt, Julie Nolan (two), Vivienne Harris (two), and Ella Dunne; Vivienne Harris scored two conversions.
Try scorers were Jason O'Toole, Sean Nolan, Chris Larn and Hayden Casey Gray; Senan Coffey scored a conversion and penalty and Oran Kelleher scored a conversion
