Kildare champs, Athy, too strong for Baltinglass

Athy had a comfortable win in what was always going to be a tricky game today, defeating Baltinglass in Aughrim on a final score of Athy 3-16 Baltinglass 0-10 in the opening round of the AIB Leinster Senior Club Championship.

It was a game dominated by Athy who led at the break, playing against the wind, by four and then finished it off with ease in the second half.

Athy dominated early on, attacking constantly with The Reds full forward line in particular causing problems, culminating with a goal from Ronan Kelly after 17 minutes after a Padraic Spillane effort was initially saved by Mark Jackson in the Baltinglass goal but Ronan Kelly was on hand to palm to the net.

Baltinglass had a fine two-pointer from Johnny Keogh and a second late on from a Jackson free but with Niall Kelly firing over three points it was Athy who led at the break 1-7 to 0-6.

A second goal after 32 minutes from man of the match Ronan Kelly had Athy on well and truely on their way and with David Hyland firing over two two-pointers there was no way back for the Wicklow boys; Ben Purcell came off the bench raising two white flags, Sean Bridf another as Athy won comfortably and will now play the Meath champions Summerhill who also won today.

Scorers: Athy, Ronan Kelly 2-2, David Huland 0-4 (2 two-pointers), Niall Kelly 0-4, James McGrath 1-0, Kevin Feely 0-2 (1 free), Ben Purcell 0-2, Colm Moran 0-1, Sean Bride 0-1.

Baltinglass, Mark Jackson 0-3 (two-pointer free, free), Jack Kirwan 0-2 (two-pointer), Johnny Keogh 0-2 (two-pointer), Adam McHugh 0-1, Christopher Heaslip 0-1, Tommy Keogh 0-1 (free),

ATHY: Shane Jackman; Sean Moore, Michael Spillane, Darren Lawler; Padraic Spillane, Cathal McCarron, James McGrath; Kevin Feely, David Hyland cpt; Brian Maher, Barry Kelly, Conor Doyle; Ronan Kelly, Colm Moran, Niall Kelly. Subs: Mark Hyland for Sean Moore (41 minutes); Ben Purcell for Barry Kelly (45 minutes); Cian Keaveney for Colm Moran (51 minutes); Sean Bride for Brian Maher (52 minutes); Jack Dooley for Conor Doyle (56 minutes);

BALTINGLASS: Mark Jackson; Connor Doody, Tom Burke, Karl Furlong; James Fleming, Arun Daly Danne, Pat Burke cpt.; Jack Kirwan, Sean Doody; Patrick Whelan, Johnny Keogh, Christopher Heaslip; John McGrath, Tommy Keogh, Adam McHugh. Subs: Jason Kennedy for Arun Daly Danne (47 minutes); Patrick Kirwan Sean Doody (52 minutes); Stephen Heaslip for Connor Doody (54 minutes); Tadhg O'Toole for Jason Kennedy (60 minutes);

REFEREE: David Hickey, Carlow.