Awesome Athy see off Seapoint in hard-hitting, high-scoring thriller
Athy's influential scrum half, Eoin Farrell, is wrapped up by the Seapoint defenders.
Athy produced their best performance of the season at home to Seapoint on Saturday to come out on the right side of an 11-try thriller in Division 1A of the Leinster League.
They got out in front early, leading by 17 at half time with the bonus point already in the bag. There was plenty still left to do, but Athy never faltered and scored another two tries after the break to win this remarkably physical battle.
There is a niggling rivalry brewing between these sides, although Seapoint won both previous meetings this season - by 17 points in the league in October and by 13 points in the semi-finals of the All Ireland Junior Cup in December - both of which were played in Dublin. Seapoint started the day in fourth, just two points off second, while Athy were second-from-bottom and in a relegation dog-fight with Tullow and Wicklow.
Seapoint lost Jack Campbell to the sin bin after just 90 seconds for a reckless hit on his opposite number James Sheedy. Josh Miller was unable to convert the resulting penalty, but it proved a costly spell for the visitors.
Athy set up camp in the Seapoint 22 for a prolonged period, going through phase after phase before eventually inching their way towards the line, where a pick-and-go from Niall O’Hanlon saw the hooker touch down. Miller converted to make it 7-0.
The hosts continued to pile on the pressure and scores a sensational try moments later when Craig Miller zipped a delightful cross-field out wide where Aidan Henry was on hand to collect theh ball and cross in the corner.
Seapoint remained bogged in their own half, with Josh Miller slotting a penalty midway through the half for 15-0.
Referee Philip O'Brien then brandished yellow cards to Conan Dunne and Liam Forster after a skirmish on the deck, reducing both sides to 14 men. Seapoint made better use of the space, and despite spirited defending by Athy, there was no stopping Oisin McKenna from racing over for a try after half an hour.
Athy hit back in emphatic fashion, twice kicking to the corner and driving to the line before going wide on penalty-advantage where Ciaran Fennessy produced a wonderful finish to get the ball down. Miller added the extras.
Seapoint looked like they would have one more try in them before the break, but more defensive heroics from Athy held them out. After a gruelling first half at The Showgrounds it finished 22-5 in favour of the hosts.
Athy lost Niall O'Hanlon to the sin bin for an intentional knock on shortly after the restart, but they scored first with an incredible try. Slick interplay out wide from Cathal Fennessy and Jack Henry brought Athy deep into the 22 where Eoin Farrell managed to recycle the ball to Shane Horgan, who could not be stopped from close range.
That was the bonus point confirmed; but there was still half an hour left to play - and Seapoint wasted no time in hitting back, with McKenna Callum Kavanagh combining to play in Gareth Hughes for the try. Sam O'Donovan converted to make it 27-12.
Athy forced a penalty moments later allowing Josh Miller to to extend the lead by three, and within minutes the hosts were in for another try. Eoin Farrell was involved again, laying off a basketball pass to Culann Carbery who released Ciaran Fennessy out for a brilliant try in the corner. That left 35-12 heading into the final quarter.
Seapoint went to the corner soon after and crossed for their third try, with Hugh Bourke dotting down at the back of a driving maul.
The visitors kept the pressure on and continued to reley on their lineout, with the set-piece eventually leading to their fourth try when Dan O'Donovan went over under the posts. Sam O'Donovan added the extras to leave 11 points in the difference with 15 minutes remaining.
Seapoint lost James Newman to his side's third yellow card, and Athy camped in the 22 from there before forcing one last try courtesy of a brilliant drive over the line from Aaron Rowan. Miller converted again before Seapoint managed a consolation converted try through Jack Campbell with the last play.
Athy are away to Wicklow this Saturday in what could be a season-defining game.
Culann Carbery; Cathal Fennessy, Tom Sheedy, Josh Miller (2 pens, 3 cons), Aidan Henry (1 try); Craig Miller, Eoin Farrell; Aaron Rowan (1 try), Niall O'Hanlon (1 try), Conan Dunne; Kevin Downey, Lochlann Kelleher; James Sheedy, Jack Henry, Patrick Julian.
Christopher Larn, Shane Horgan (1 try), Sean Dunne, Sean Donohoe, Ciaran Fennessy (2 tries).
Matthew Jungmann; Oisin McKenna (1 try), Gareth Hughes, Matt McKenna, James Newman; Sam O'Donovan (3 cons), Cian Tallon; Callum Kavanagh, Eoin Brian Mahon, Conor Eivers; Hugh Ross, Rory Balmaine; Jack Campbell (1 try), Liam Forster, Dan O'Donovan (1 try).
Seán Finn, Joshua Whelan, Hugh Bourke (1 try), David O'Reilly, Conor Byrne.
Philip O'Brien.
