Opportunities ahead for Kildare champions in Leinster

After their Leinster semi-final defeat to Garrycastle in 2011, few leaving St Conleths Park that day would have imagined that Athy would have to wait until 2025 for their next shot at provincial glory.

Under Mark Brophy, Athy were so good through Leinster after lifting their first Kildare title in 24 years. Edenderry and Old Leighlin were dismissed on the way to the last four but a lack of experience was the difference against the Dessie Dolan inspired Westmeath side.

Current captain David Hyland was just 17 when handed a man marking job on Dolan and it was only after he picked up a yellow card that meant he had to be moved off him that Dolan really began to shine and the age profile of the team suggested there would be many opportunities in Leinster to come.

They were, of course, unlucky not to get to the chance to play in Leinster following their in in 2020 but Covid had other ideas.

Now, they finally get the chance again to show what they can do outside of Kildare when they face Wicklow champions Baltinglass in Echelon Park, Aughrim on Sunday at 1.30pm.

It’s a cliché to say that Aughrim is a difficult place to go but only because it rings true, and all the more so as we head into winter football.

The wonderful Baltinglass teams of the late 80s and early 90s are a distant memory now but the current crop are still a decent side and they have been in five of the last six Wicklow finals, although like Athy their last SFC win before this year came in 2020 and had no Leinster campaign.

Goalkeeper Mark Jackson needs no introduction and the county stopper scored six points in the county final win over a Carnew side managed by Castledermot man Anthony Gray. Athy will well aware of the need for discipline in the tackle, particularly outside the two point as Jackson’s big boot will punish most indiscretions.

And yet, most of the focus for Athy should be on themselves. They undoubtedly enjoyed their superb county final win over Naas, and the days after it, but the chance to play in Leinster is something they have waited a long time for and if they can reach their full potential once more, and they will need to, then there is no reason that they should not record a win that would take them into a quarter-final.

Athy aren’t the only Kildare interest in the Leinster Senior Championship with Monasterevan man Brian Lonergan leading Old Leighlin into a first round tie against Portarlington on Saturday evening after helping the club to their first Carlow SFC title in 12 years.

On Saturday, there is a double header of action across two competitions in Cedral St Conleths Park as Sallins and Grangenolvin also begin the Leinster campaigns.

Sallins’ last venture into Leinster ended in Newtownmountkennedy when they were beaten by Newtown in 2003, although they did have success at Junior level in 2000.

On the back of Allenwood and Caragh’s success in the last two years, a lot of eyes will be on the Kildare champions in this grade and there is every reason to suggest that Sallins can live up to expectations.

Their opponents on Saturday, throw in at 3.15pm, will be Carlow side Grange. They needed a replay to claim the Carlow title so will be arriving in Newbridge just six days after being crowned county champions. Former inter county player John Murphy is a powerful presence for them but if Sallins are anywhere near their best then they should prevail.

Grangenolvin are another who have had to wait a long time for another crack at Leinster. After their last Kildare Junior title in 2005, they went all the way to the provincial final but were beaten 0-9 to 0-7 by Ballinagore of Westmeath. Timmy Doyle is the only player from that side still pulling on the boots but Martin Leahy and Eamonn Farrell are an important part of David Conway’s management team.

They face St. Brigid’s, Croghan from Offaly in the first of those games at Cedral St Conleths Park on Saturday at 1.15pm.

St. Brigid’s competed in the Intermediate Championship in Offaly and reached the final before losing to Tullamore’s second team so they are their county’s representatives in this grade. They were a distant best during the first half of their final but came out fighting in the second half and eventually only lost by four points. That suggests they could pose problems for Grangenolvin but if the Bergin and Cullen brothers are firing, and those around them, they could get the weekend off to a winning start for Kildare teams.