Party time for Athy as they end Naas' winning run
Man of the match Barry Kelly Photo: ©INPHO/James Lawlor
Naas’ drive for five hit the rocks today in Cedral St Conleths Park as Athy delivered a performance for the ages to lift their first SFC title since 2020, and first in front of a big crowd since 2011.
And boy, did they celebrate at the final whistle. The five minutes of injury time had been a nervy affair for Athy. Naas were six points down in the 50th minute but kept pushing. Two Brian Maher points either side of the 60 minute mark were crucial at keeping Naas at bay but it was all up for grabs when Ryan Sinkey lined up a 65th minute effort from two point range that would have levelled the game. As Athy held their breath, the ball sailed just past the post and the final whistle moments later sparked a red invasion from the sidelines.
Things has been going well for Naas in the early stages of the game and on the back of two early Alex Beirne two pointers, they led 0-8 to 0-4.
It felt like many games we have seen in the past at stage for Naas with them controlling the tempo and Athy were in desperate need of something to spark them into life.
That game in the shape of the tornado that is Barry Kelly. He was already Athy’s best player of the pitch through the opening exchanges and he scored three of those first four points.
He took his game to a new level in the 24th minute when Darren Lawler’s shot dropped short and from the loose ball he blasted the ball into the net. Kelly, never a shrinking violet on the pitch, exploded in celebration and there on, Athy were a different team.
Cathal McCarron, who picked a good time to have his best scoring game in an Athy jersey, followed that with a fisted effort from the endline. Naas were showing signs of the pressure and Niall Kelly was able to tap over two close range frees.
Athy didn’t want to hear a half time whistle but before they did, Sinkey landed his third point of the half with the last kick before All-Ireland Final referee Brendan Cawley sent the teams to the dressing rooms with the scores at 1-7 to 0-9.
Although Niall Kelly added another free within a minute of the restart, it looked like the break and the chance to regroup had done Naas a lot of good.
They scored three points in a row to regain the lead and appeared to getting on top again. But in answer to one of their best spells of the game, rather than retreating into a shell, Athy hit back with the decisive period of the Championship.
Between the 38th and 48th minutes, they scored seven points in a row. Almost 38 years of age, McCarron said afterwards that he approached this game like it was his last chance in a showpiece event. He looked like he was having the time of his life and he got forward to kick two of those points, while another man who sometimes goes under the radar for Athy, Sean Moore, kicked his second of the game during that period too.
That put them into a six point lead but it was never going to be straightforward. Beirne and Sinkey did all they could for their team and between them scored the next three points, Beirne with his third two pointer of the game.
Maher re-established Athy’s four point in the 59th minute but Beirne answered back again as the fourth official signalled for an additional five minutes.
That caused anxiety levels among the Athy support to go through the roof but they were eased slightly when Maher was found in space after a nice passage of play and he held his nerve and hit the target in the 61st minute
But Naas still weren’t done, Beirne’s fourth two pointer of the day, from a free, left just two points in it with a little over 90 seconds remaining.
Naas were able to engineer one last shooing opportunity and it fell into the hands of one of their best on the day but Sinkey’s effort tailed just wide. There will be no thoughts of any blame being laid at the door of the youngster, however, it was tough kick to make and he had been superb on the day for his team.
The final whistle sparked contrasting emotions, Naas’ record breaking title winning run is over but the party is only starting for Athy.
B Kelly 1-3, N Kelly 0-6 (5fs), C McCarron 0-3, S Moore 0-2, B Maher 0-2, K Feely 0-1.
A Beirne 0-10 (2tp, 2tpf,1f), R Sinkey 0-5, K Cummins 0-1, B Stynes 0-1, J McKevitt 0-1.
Shane Jackman; Sean Moore, Michael Spillane, Darren Lawler, Padraic Spillane, Cathal McCarron, James McGrath; Kevin Feely, David Hyland; Brian Maher, Barry Kelly, Conor Doyle, Ronan Kelly, Colm Moran, Niall Kelly. Subs: Cian Keaveney for R Kelly, 45; Ben Purcell for B Kelly, 49; Mark Hyland for Moran, 57; Sean Bride for McGrath, 59; Paudi Behan for Doyle, 59.
Luke Mullins; Mark Maguire, Brian Byrne, Rob Fitzgerald, Jack McKevitt, Eoin Doyle, Paddy McDermott; Fintan Quinn, Paul McDermott; Kevin Cummins, Brian Stynes, Elliott Beirne, Darragh Kirwan, Alex Beirne, Ryan Sinkey. Subs: Cathal Daly for Quinn, 43; Neil Aherne for E Beirne, 45; Sean Hanafin for Stynes, 49; Dermot Hanafin for Cummins, 53.
Brendan Cawley.
