Athy hit the ground running in Leinster
Athy's Michael Spillane, James McGrath and Padraic Spillane are all smiles after their win Photo: ©INPHO/Ben Brady
Schoolboy Ronan Kelly scored a brilliant 2-2 as Athy safely navigated the difficult trip to Aughrim to reach the quarter-finals of the Leinster Championship.
With all apart from David Hyland and Kevin Feely making their Leinster Club debut, Athy created the platform for the win in the first half. Despite playing into a strong wind, the Ross Bell and Conor Ronan managed outfit took a 1-7 to 0-6 lead into the break and really, there was no way back for Baltinglass after.
Kelly netted his two goals either side of the half time break and both displayed an admirable goalscorers’ instinct.
The first came in the 17th minute with a close range finish. Trademark spectacular fielding by Kevin Feely started a move for Athy that involved Niall Kelly and Padraic Spillane. Conor Doyle’s shot at the end was kept by Mark Jackson but Ardscoil na Tríonóide student Kelly was there to palm the ball home. There were appeals from Baltinglass regarding a possible square ball but after discussions with his umpires, referee David Hickey decided there was no case to answer.
Baltinglass’ best chance of the half came in the final minutes before the break but after wonderful approach play by Christopher Heaslip’s shot was blazed over the bar.
Athy continued to press in the second half and Kelly scored his second goal in the 36th minute. The excellent Sean Moore picked a pass to Colm Moran who sent the ball along the small square to his fellow teenager and Kelly did the rest.
Baltinglass’ never dropped their efforts but at no stage did a comeback ever look likely and James McGrath completed the goals with a well taken goal in the 48th minute after a rampaging run by Conor Doyle had set him up.
Away from the goals, the highlights in the second half included two superb long range two pointers by David Hyland.
It all meant a very satisfactory visit to the Garden County for Athy and they can start planning for a Leinster quarter-final against Summerhill in Cedral St Conleths Park on Saturday 15 November at 5.15pm, a game that may very well be televised live on RTÉ.
R Kelly 2-2, D Hyland 0-4 (2tp), N Kelly 0-4, J McGrath 1-0, K Feely 0-2 (1f), B Purcell 0-2, C Moran 0-1, S Bride 0-1.
M Jackson 0-3 (1tpf, 1f), Jack Kirwan 0-2 (1tp), J Keogh 0-2 (1tp), A McHugh 0-1, C Heaslip 0-1, T Keogh 0-1f.
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: Mark Hyland for Moore, 41; Ben Purcell for B Kelly, 45, Cian Keaveny for Moran, 51; Sean Bride for Maher, 52; Jack Dooley for Doyle, 57.
Mark Jackson; Connor Doody, Tom Burke, Karl Furlong, James Fleming, Arun Daly Danne, Pat Burke; Jack Kirwan, Sean Doody, Patrick Whelan, Johnny Keogh, Christopher Heaslip, John McGrath, Tommy Keogh, Adam McHugh. Subs: Jason Kennedy for Danne, 48; Patrick Kirwan for S Doody, 52; Stephen Heaslip for C Doody, 55; Tadhg O’Toole for Kennedy, 60.
David Hickey (Carlow).
