'Really special' day at Croke Park awaits Hyland and Athy
Athy captain David Hyland beats Portarlington's Sean Byrne to the punch for this kick out Photo: James Lawlor
If the Saw Doctors hadn’t written about the N17 then perhaps David Hyland could have penned an ode to the N7. God knows the Athy talisman and captain has travelled the route on many occasions as player and captain with Kildare, journeys that always seemed to end in disappointment. This year of 2025 was different, though. The inspirational leader with club and county enjoyed success on his last journey up the N7 as Kildare won the Tailteann Cup Final and Hyland enjoyed his first medal in Croke Park in his long intercounty career. Fast forward to Saturday and the Athy captain will make that journey again as the Kildare champions go toe to toe with Dublin’s Ballyboden St Enda’s in the AIB Leinster SFC Final in Croke Park, throw in 4.30pm.
The pain of losing to Westmeath’s Garrycastle in their last Leinster campaign in 2011 still doesn’t rest easily with David Hyland and his Athy colleagues.
“I suppose a lot of us there, we probably didn't appreciate how good we had it back in 2011 but that's probably up there as the top two or three regrets in my career but it’s great to correct that. See how happy people are there and we’ll be happy going up the N7 on Saturday,” he told us after the outstanding victory over Portarlington in the AIB Leinster SFC semi-final in Cedral St Conleth’s Park last Saturday.
Although he has played countless times there in the Lilywhite jersey playing in Croke Park in the red and white of Athy is going to be special for David Hyland.
“It is going to be really, really special and for so many lads who have put so much into the club, both this year and down through the years, it’s their day more so than anyone’s. I’m really glad for them,” he added.
Reflecting on the victory over Portarlington it was put to David Hyland that his team could hardly have wished for a better first half that saw them go in thirteen points up at the break, after playing with the stiff breeze in the opening thirty minutes.
“We didn't think the wind was going to be a factor all through the week. It was kind of expected to be a good, brisk, frosty, autumn day but, yeah, I think everything went really well. We took the right decisions, got the right lads on the ball and took the right shots on, there weren’t too many people taking the wrong shots,” he explained.
While they were in a great position at half time Athy were conscious that their job wasn’t done according to their captain.
“The wind was extremely strong, but I think we managed the game really, really well. We probably got a few harsh calls against us for overcarrying but it was a great position to be in,” he added.
Athy have a very strong diamond around the middle of the field with Cathal McCarron, Kevin Feely, Barry Kelly and himself but David Hyland acknowledged the contributions of the younger players in the squad too.
“It’s great and it’s not always the same lads putting their hand up for us and that’s probably what makes us hard to beat,” he contended.
With the build up to the Final expected to reach a crescendo on Saturday, Hyland said thoughts of Christmas have been put on hold.
“I think the Christmas decorations are on the standstill at the moment,” he laughed.
“The club is doing a great job and you look up at the terraces after the semi-final and you see men, women and children taking down the bunting there. It’s just absolutely great and it's great for them to have a day in Croker on Saturday too.”
While Ballyboden St Enda’s will probably enter the game as favourites Hyland and his team will travel in confidence of causing an upset and taking home the trophy.
“There is no reason for us to have zero confidence,” the captain said firmly.
“We're oozing confidence there at the moment and we're not just riding the crest of a wave, I think we’re a really, really good team and it's going to take a very, very good team to beat us.”
