COMMENT: After a four-year stint the Dermot Bourke Cup heads south in Kildare

There is something about Senior County Final Sunday that is different from so many other Sundays.
Maybe it is the expectation; maybe so much at stake; maybe the realisation this is the opportunity to be crowned senior champions of Kildare (or wherever) that makes it so special.

Sunday last was no different.
The morning was not too kind.

The rain lashed down, as forecast, but in fairness, again as forecast, moved away in time for the commencement of the 2025 Joe Mallon Motors SFC decider.

As we entered Cedral St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, the stand side line, was visibly holding water; soon to be brushed away by a vigilant Colm Farrell.

And while it dried up it did leave holding one's footing along the line somewhat hazardous but, we are told, there are plans to rectify the problem (sooner rather than later hopefully).

The minor game saw Naas take on Maynooth; the county town looking well on their way at half-time but Maynooth came storming back, took the lead with a goal in time added on only for Naas to quickly level up with a free.

Extra time looked on the way but a Naas attack ended with a penalty, up stepped Euan Cowzer for what most felt would be a tap over but the full forward went for the top left hand corner of the net, the ball skimming just over the crossbar ensuring the win.

The sun appeared as the senior boys took to the sacred (wet) turf.
Naas looking for their fifth in a row; Athy, the last side to lift the Dermot Bourke Cup back in 2020 before Naas went on their four in-a-row voyage.

The man-in-the-middle was none other than Sarsfields' Brendan Cawley, crowning a magnificent year for him having taken charge of this year's All-Ireland senior decider between Kerry and Donegal.

Naas had their new (relatively) boss the great Philly McMahon of Dublin fame, calling the shots; Athy doubled up with joint managers Ross Bell and Conor Ronan in charge, a kind of a belt and braces jobbie, to be sure to be sure.

Just a point separated them at the break, Athy by one; Naas regained the lead within four minutes but that was about as good as it got as the joint-managers side took control, hit seven points on the trot and while they had to withstand a late Naas rally, they did that and did it in style eventually crowned champions with two points to spare.

Suddenly the place went red.

The joy was unconfined.

Young fans danced around in joy.
Older fans clapped one another on the back.

And older fans again, wiped a little something from their eyes.
That's what senior county finals do.

Athy team captain, David Hyland, who returned to the county set-up in 2025 and enjoyed a brilliant season, was now about to come face-to-face with Dermot Bourke (cup).
And boy did he enjoy it.

After receiving 'Dermot' from the safe pair of hands of Mick Mullen (Co. Chairman) the Athy captain took to the mike with gusto, with emotion, with a bit of sadness and a little bit of anger.
Well in fairness he did the anger bit first and worked his way along from there.

The captain had a 'cut' at the Leinster Council who had (inadvertently) posed a Leinster Club fixture for a few weeks time naming Naas to take on Baltinglass.

Ouch!

He then took a cut at those wise men who do betting odds suggesting that offering Athy at odds of 4/1 showed no respect.
Hopefully, he, and his fellow players and the Athy fans, took full advantage.

He also had a cut at the local media, along the same lines, that most did not give his side much chance of winning.
Hardly a capital offence mind you, but opinions are opinions as I'm sure the man with the no. 9 shirt on his back would agree with wholeheartedly.

David then went on to remember, family members and friends who were no longer with them saying this was for those folk as much as for those standing in Conleth's Park.

The celebrations, no doubt, went on long into the night, and will continue for a bit longer.
And why not, I hear you say.

On the day the boys in red were superb; they showed hunger, they showed desire, they showed a willingness to fight for every single ball and they showed, probably most importantly of all, their skill and their talent.

The days after a county final win can be special, very special; days that will be recalled, relived and remembered for many a long day.

In a couple of weeks time though Athy will be returning to action when they travel to Aughrim to take on Wicklow champions, Baltinglass, a game, no doubt the new Kildare champions will be favourites to win.

Having been stung by their success on Sunday, no doubt 'the layers' will take the appropriate action and will not be caught for a second time.

As for the local media?
The mind takes a stroll back to 2021 when underdogs, Naas, were given little chance of defeating hot favourites Sarsfields, and we all know what happened there, and the following year, and the following year and the following year.

Next stop Aughrim.
And the best of luck!

Meanwhile Saturday saw Sallins crowned intermediate champions; the side that carried the burden of favourites before a ball was even kicked in anger, came through in some style.

They are more than a decent side, a side that certainly has the ability to make a mark in their upcoming Leinster campaign.
And after that can look forward, with some confidence, to taking their place in the senior football championship of 2026.

Meanwhile heading into the Intermediate final, a final sponsored by National Electrical Wholesalers who went all out handing out flyers, pens and those 'thingies' that allow one to unlock a trolley to do your shopping (or so I'm told anyway).

The one and only Larry Malone of Allenwood fame, who is also Regional Manger Midlands and Leinster Region with the sponsoring firm, was busy dishing all the paraphernalia when a passing lady said to him, “I don't want one of those, I'm not voting for any of them.”

Even the bauld Larry was stuck for words, not something you see too often I can assure one and all!

So what was the attendance like on Sunday, and indeed Saturday.
Good, disappointing, or just ok?

Well I'm afraid that is a bit of a state secret.

Cedral St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, must be one of the few county grounds where the number of those in attendance remains a state secret.

A throw-back to days of yore no doubt, but hardly the right approach this day and age.

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