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Athy G.F.C. News

Minor Boys off to winning start:

Minor League Division 1

Celbridge 0-09

Athy 0-14

Ref: Conor Daly (Leixlip)

Despite being early in the season both teams displayed a high standard and fast pace in the opening stages of the match. Both sets of defenders set their stall out from the whistle and weren’t conceding ground easily. The first score of the game was produced by Athy as Kealan Bolger directed the ball between the sticks high and accurate. Celbridge stated their intent by immediately countering from the kick-out to force a full body save from James Roycroft. The Reds extended their lead with scores with 2 points from Liam Mc Govern and Niall Kelly alike. Mc Govern was ever trustworthy with the left boot but with Michael Konstantin beginning to warm into the game for Celbridge he layed off to Adam O’Seach who dispatched Celridge’s first point on the 16 minute mark. A period of dominance for the Blue and Whites seen them come within 2 points of Athy, compliments of two Konstantin frees, before Liam Mc Govern once again stepped up to convert a free from close range. Celbridge attacked and threatened but failed to convert kicking wide and into the keeper’s hands. The on-form Hugh Mahon, returning from a serious injury, punished Liam Mc Donnacha with his pace as he neatly set Tony Gibbons on his way to his first point of the game. At half-time the score was 0-07 to 0-03 in favour of Athy with both teams in their rhythm, playing fast football on the impeccable Celbridge surface.

The second half started in the same vain with both teams working at full effort. On this occasion it was Celbridge who threatened first with Gearóid Mc Aodhagáin slightly kicking wide of James Roycroft’s goal. Mc Aodhgáin’s half forward partner, Michael Konstantin, cancelled out this wide with a point of his own just one minute later. Athy’s first attack, on Sean Mc Conmara’s goal, of the second period came from Raymond Hyland who had his shot cleared off the goal-line. Later Tony Gibbons chalked his second point up which was duly matched by Adam O’Seach. With the Celbridge mid-field pairing of Ferghal O’Conbhuí and Conchubar O’Dalaigh running the channels connecting with the inside six, they added another point to the board. Niall Kelly combated against some tight marking from Niall O’Donaille with his converted point. However just like the first half, Celbridge resumed a period of dominance, winning the high kick out and constructing some moves. In this period each of the half forwards for Celbridge added a point to their accounts. The gap was down to the minimum for the first time of the game. Once again it was Kelly who replied for Athy being fed by Kevin Feely, Barry Purcell and the industrious Mc Govern. Hugh Mahon ended his lightening return with a point, then being replaced due to injury. There was a late scare for the Athy followers as Celbridge had a goal chance cleared off the line by some desperate defenders. To seal the win Niall Kelly capped a solid performance with a point and Kevin Feeley glided a 40 metre kick over the black spot.

The standard of football was commented on by supporters as excellent, fast and promising for both teams. Despite the gap being 5 points, both teams were neck and neck with each other and matched each other in almost every part of the field. No doubt these teams will meet again later in the year.

Best for Celbridge: Adam O’Seach

Best for Athy: Liam Mc Govern.

Celbridge: 1Sean Mc Conmara, 22Niall O’Donaille, 3.Stiofan O’Murchu, 4.Liam Mac Donnacha, 5 Cathal Sleibhin, 6.Crouder Plaincead, 7.Padraig Breoite, 8.Ferghal O’Conbhui, 9.Conchubar O’Cionnaith, 10.Michael Konstantin, 11.Adam O’ Seach, 12.GearOid Mc Aodhgain, 13.Dylan O’Corcran,14.Jordan O’Muireasa, 15.Caomhin O’Murchu.

Athy: 1.James Roycroft, 2.Sean Ronan, 3.Luke Thomas, 4.Wesley Clare, 5.David Hyland, 6.Barry Purcell, 7.David O’Toole, 8.Liam Mc Govern, 9.Kevin Feeley, 10.Raymond Hyland, 11.Tony Gibbons, 12.Kealan Bolger, 13. Niall Kelly, 14.Conor O’Keefe, 15.Hugh Mahon.

Subs: Carl Gilfoley for Wesley Clare (26mins)

Killian Mulhall for Hugh Mahon (28mins)

Annual Dinner Dance, Carlton Abbey

The Carlton Abbey Hotel was the venue for the Athy GFC Dinner Dance where over 200 people gathered to look back on 2009. After a wonderful meal attentions were turned to medal presentations.

Firstly, Chairman Mark Dalton reflected on 2009 applauding all panels and management teams on the effort that they put into their respective campaigns. After a very successful year he wished all an equally successful 2010 as the Senior Team returns to Division 1 and the Minor Boys and Girls hope to retain their Championship Titles. He also thanked the club’s main Sponsor Tegral, represented by Paddy Kelly, for their continuos support every year.

To present medals to the Minor Ladies, recently appointed Kildare County Board Chairman, Padraig Ashe was welcomed warmly to Athy. It must be recognized that this is a first in Athy GFC history and a special congratulations to the girls and management is due. Next it was the turn of the Minor Boys who had a new friend of the club to receive their medals from. Former Armagh great, and Crossmaglen legend, Oisin Mc Conville was delightfully welcomed by the Athy club. He presented the medals to the team who won the Minor Championship for two years in a row. The also reached the Leinster Final, narrowly beaten by Na Fianna of Dublin. Then came the turn of the Seniors who will face Division 1 in 2010. Oisin commented on how disciplined and welcoming the players he worked with when he first met them. As a relationship between the clubs grew a trip to Crossmaglen was organised and he acknowledged how they team wereU-16’s revered in his hometown.

Padraig Ashe was called upon again to present them with their Division 2 medals and there is no doubt that this young team, guided by their mentors, can go on to more success in 2010 and the future. They remained un-beaten before sadly loosing to St Laurences in the Championship Quarter Final who were the eventual deserved winners. Padraig Ashe concluded his duties by thanking Athy’s contribution to Kildare Football on and off the field. He thanked his fellow officers, Con Ronan (Former Treasurer, new Development Officer) and Marty Mc Evoy ( Ard-chomhairle Chill Dara delegate). He also complimented the Athy Executive and membership for their efforts and energy. He lastly thanked Kidare’s Main Sponsor Tegral for their support of the county team.

To conclude the presentations “Player of the Year Awards”, sponsored by Maxwell Motors Athy, were presented.

Minor Ladies: Michelle Foley

Minor Boys: Liam Mc Govern

Senior Men: James Eaton

Darroch Mulhall received a presentation from the Kildare County Board for his rather special achievement of being Top Scorer in the All Ireland Minor Championship 2009. Also Corey Moore received an award for the most blocks in Athy Minor’s campaign during the year. In recognition of the effort they put in, the Minor Management Team were presented with a small token of gratitude from the panel.

George Washington and his band then began the music and the dancing followed with all enjoying the night. Athy GFC would like to thank the Carlton Abbey for their hospitality and their high standards which allowed the occasion to be as successful as it was. We would like to thank those who attended for coming to remember 2009 and wish our whole membership and the community a successful 2010 on and off the field.

COMMITTEE OF 2010 ELECTED AT AGM:

CATHOIRLEACH: Mark Dalton

RÚNAÍ: Joe Barry

CISTEOIR: Eamon Wynne

O.Ch.P.: TJ Clare

LEAS-CHATHOIRLEACH: Pat Considine

Committee:

Henry Howard, Eugene O’Toole, Shane Purcell, Colm Reynolds, Diarmuid Wynne, Con Ronan, PJ Lawler.