Heroic Athenry almost pull off a major upset

St. Kieran’s College 0-16 Pres. Athenry 0-13(After extra time)

Tom Wardin Moate

PRESENTATION College, Athenry’s hopes of reaching this year’s All Ireland Colleges A final were dashed when a late surge of points in extra time helped St Kieran’s College, Kilkenny claim the spoils in an exhilarating semi-final at Moate on Saturday.

The sides were tied on 13 points apiece at the end of normal time. However late points from Padraig Walsh and Paddy Burggy gave the Kilkenny side victory in extra time.

It was all the more heartbreaking for Pres. Athenry who controlled the first half and led by three points at the interval. Kieran’s, though, upped their performance following the break and this subsequently led to a tense and exciting final quarter which saw the teams tied on four different occasions.

Pres Athenry began with real purpose. A superb sideline cut from midfielder Thomas Flynn set the scene for a determined Athenry first half performance. Indeed Athenry’ defence, marshalled excellently by team Captain Conor McDonagh, were well on top of their more vaunted opponents.

Athenry led by three points to one early on thanks to points from Thomas Flynn, James Divilly and Billy Lane. In response Kieran’s secured a point through the hard working John Power. However the Kilkenny outfit began to come more into the game chiefly through some hard grafting by Kilkenny minor Cillian Buckley. Indeed it was Buckley and Power that landed the points which tied the match on three points apiece after ten minutes.

Pres, though, had other ideas and points from Billy Lane, with one, and James Divilly, two pointed frees, pushed their side into a three point lead. The final ten minutes of the half saw the teams trade points on two occasions. First John Power and the excellent Thomas Flynn traded points before John Power and Darragh Cooney repeated the feat, leaving Athenry ahead by 0-8 to 0-5 at the break.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.