It's Miller time - Craig is ready for Athy RFC's biggest game in a generation

Athy RFC player, Craig Miller, says that he is looking forward to this weekend’s Leinster Rugby Towns Cup final, as the Kildare club face Carlow RFC in this Sunday’s decider. This will be the first Towns Cup final that Athy will compete in since 1991, and Miller is relishing the game.

“It’s really exciting. We’re really looking forward to it. Carlow are a good side. A neighbour of mine actually played in the club’s last final. We expect a really tough test. I suppose it’s great for both clubs to be in the final, two neighbouring clubs in the final is great. I don’t think it matters too much that we’re neighbours. I’ve a few friends playing for Carlow and the teams know each other so well, like I’d even know the older fellas involved with the Carlow club and you would be chatting to them. For them 80 minutes we will do everything to beat each other, but after that we will shake hands and chat. There’s a healthy respect there, which is good.” 

Miller went onto state that there is a good bond in the group, which is contributing to the side’s success.

“We’re a very young side; they’re good lads though. They have that fearlessness. There’s great connections in the group, we all get on really well, which really helps. You even see in our games, we’re not afraid to try things. We always say in training to back yourself. You could see after the semi-final, when we were doing the video analysis how serious they were taking it and how professional everyone is about this game. We bet Carlow twice this year, but that means absolutely nothing heading into this game.” 

Athy last won the Towns Cup in 1984, and the experienced player hopes that this final appearance will inspire the next generation.

"There are hundreds of boys and girls are down training there on Wednesday evenings and it would be great if we can inspire them to continue to play rugby with the club, and to go on and play adult rugby with the club. But look our full focus is on the game, we know Carlow’s strengths and weaknesses. They have that set piece dominance in the locker, they’ve a strong lineout and they’ve a few strong strike runners.” A

thy have had a tough passage to the final to date and Miller said to even reach the final is a huge achievement in itself.

“In our first win of the cup over New Ross, we weren’t happy with our performance. They made it hard for us but we weren’t at it. Against Dundalk in the second game, we weren’t firing on all cylinders either, but we did enough to get over the line. In the semi-final against Tullow though we were really good. We were brilliant. It was a great match to look back on but there are improvements to be made on that performance. There’s been a three week break between the cup games, because obviously the league campaign is over. The three-week break is nice for recovery and that, but it can be tough also because you’re itching to go.” 

There is expected to be a large Athy support at this weekend’s final and Miller said the support for the side this season has been outstanding.

“The support we’ve had this season has been unbelievable, especially throughout the cup campaign. It really drove us on against Tullow, it made a huge difference. I’m sure we will have a great support again next weekend. There’s a great buzz around the town. You see the flags going up around the place and that and people wishing you well.” 

Athy RFC face Carlow RFC on Sunday in the Leinster Rugby Towns Cup final, at 2pm at Naas RFC.