Third defeat in a row for Athy despite leading for over 70 minutes
Athy's replacement lock Kyle Stacey made a big impact off the bench.
Having beaten Carlow in heroic fashion to win the 2025 Towns Cup just a few short months ago, Athy came into the new season brimming with confidence as an air of expectation permeated throughout the club.
But the opening two games in Division 1A of the Leinster League saw the Kildare side beaten away to Tullow before losing at home to Boyne last time out.
They returned to the Showgrounds on Saturday to take on a Tullamore side newly down from Senior, who inflicted a third consecutive defeat on Athy who are already beginning to spiral towards the wrong end of the table.
Despite leading from the 5th to the 75th minute, Athy allowed a 17-point lead to slip through their fingers.
Tullamore began life back in the Leinster League with narrow wins over Wexford and Tullow and are now top with three wins from three.
The Offaly side were on the board inside the opening five minutes when Conor Dunne landed a penalty from 25 metres.
But Athy responded from the restart, keeping the ball in hand superby until number eight Tadhg Foley powered over the line for the game's first try.
The hosts had their second try in the 10th minute when Jack Henry broke the line and got his offload away to Tom Sheedy allowing the big centre to go in under the posts.
His centre partner Josh Miller added the extras to put Athy nine points up.
A potential third try went begging after that as Athy's lineout and scrum malfunctioned in Tullamore's 22.
The visitors turned the ball over and went in for their first try midway through the half when Liam Farrell showed Athy a clean pair of heels, racing away down the wing before scoring in the corner despite a sensational tap-tackle from Aidan Henry.
Miller slotted a penalty from the 22 to push Athy seven points in front before a slick lineout move saw Foley crash over for his second try after half an hour.
Tullamore lost Marty Cummins to the sin bin just before the break as Athy went in at half time up 20-8 after a great first period.
It took just five minutes of the second half for the hosts to earn the bonus point when there was more splendid handling on display to release Culann Carbery as the scrum half went over in the corner.
But that was Athy's final score of the game as Tullamore went on to score three converted tries without reply to win the game.
Josh Huddlestone was first, finishing off a multi-phase play to go in under the posts, leaving the simplest of conversions for Dunne.
The Offaly side were then restored to a full complement, with ten points separating the teams.
Kildare U20 football captain James Harris made his presence felt at full back, weaving through the Tullamore defence as he tried to get Athy back on the front foot.
But Tullamore scored again when Kon Fennelly weaved his way through the Athy defence for a fabulous try. Dunne's conversion cut the gap to just three points with 15 minutes remaining.
The visitors managed to get themselves in front in the 75th minute when Steven Pyke burrowed in from close range. Dunne added the extras to put his side four ahead with Athy battling the clock.
They camped in the Tullamore 22 in the closing stages but could not manufacture a score.
Tadhg Foley (two tries), Tom Sheedy, Culann Carbery (one try each), Josh Miller (one pen, one con) Tullamore: Liam Farrell, Josh Huddlestone, Kon Fennelly, Steven Pyke (one try each), Conor Dunne (one pen, three cons) ATHY: James Harris; Aidan Henry, Tom Sheedy, Josh Miller, Cathal Fennessy; Craig Miller, Culann Carbery; Karol Donohoe, Ruairi Scully, Conan Dunne; Kevin Downey, Lochlann Kelleher; Aaron Rowan, Jack Henry, Tadhg Foley.
Richard Moloney, Kyle Stacey, John Sheedy, Ross Henry, Daniel Henry.
Karl Dunne; Liam Farrell, Conor Dunne, Gary Cantwell, Zach Wright; Josh Huddlestone, Sam Burns; Cathal Behan, Ryan Mealiffe, Adam Catthy; Marty Cummins, Alan Douglas; Kon Fennelly, Steven Pyke, Colm Heffernan.
Mark Kennedy, Kalvin Mahon, Ciaran Ennis, Eojn O’Reilly, Sean McCabe.
Stuart Campbell
