Athy in full control against Newtown Gaels in 'B' final

Athy 2-11

Newtown Gaels 2-5

Athy captured the Manguard Plus MFC 'E' final at Manguard Park on Sunday afternoon with a fully deserved and comprehensive victory over Newtown Gaels and while there was just six points separating them at the end the fact that Gaels got there second goal, late on, tells its own story.

Athy were the better side throughout, led by six at the break and wrapped it up early in the second half when firing over six points in the opening seven minutes of the second half.

It was six minutes before the first white flag was disturbed and with it was in was in favour of Newtown Gaels following a foul on Conor Sullivan, DJ Percival converted a free; Ruadhan Kane added a second as the combination side of Robertstown and Caragh grabbed the early initiative.

Slowly but surely Athy got themselves into the game with their opening point coming on nine minutes following a free on Will Kenny, Cian Keaveney converted the free.

Two minutes later and Athy hit the front after Newtown Gaels insisted on passing too and fro at the back only to turned-over by Cian Keaveney, who carried before firing past Jude Harman.

Athy added two quick points from Will Kenny and a second from Ronan Kelly to open up a 1-3 to 0-2 lead on 13 minutes.

Athy were certainly looking that bit more polished at this stage but The Gaels hit back with Cian Burke found Conor Sullivan who was fouled and DJ Percival converted the free.

Jude Harman denied Ronan Kelly with a brilliant save.

A fine run by Conor Sullivan who waltzed by a few defenders but ran out of space and the opportunity lost.

Before the break an excellent move involving Ronan Kelly, Cian Keaveney and Callum Keaveney with the latter finding the net after a very impressive more.

The half time whistle arrived with Athy lead by six points ­ Athy 2-3 Newtown Gaels 0-3.

Any hope Newtown had vanished quickly on the resumption with Athy dominating and firing over no less than seven unanswered points, the first four scores coming from Cian Keaveney and when Jack Dooley and Tom Brophy added points Athy now led 2-9 to 0-3 with 37 minutes on the clock.

Keaveney (Cian) added another before Newtown Gaels found the Athy net, after a fine cross-field ball from Conor Sullivan to Ruadhan Kane who duly found the net.

At the next movement Kane was involved again but this time was shown a black card.

Jack Dooley and DJ Percival exchanged points; Rory Walsh added another one for Athy to make it 2-11 to 1-4 with 55 minutes on the clock.

Newtown Gaels refused to lie down however and finished with that man Ruadhan Kane adding a point followed by a fine goal and were a bit unlucky when another goal chance crashed off the upright and cleared just as the final whistle arrived Athy winning on a final score line of Athy 2-11 Newtown Gels 2-5.

Man of the Match: Cian Keaveney.

Scorers: Athy, Cian Keaveney 1-5 (2 frees), Callum Keaveney 1-0, Jack Dooley 0-2, Will Kenny 0-1, Ronan Kelly 0-1, Rory Walsh 0-1, Tom Brophy 0-1.

Newtown Gaels, Ruadhan Kane 2-2 (45), DJ Percival 0-3 (3 frees).

ATHY: Rory Chanders; Cormac Kennedy, Dara English, Rory Walsh; Liam Byrne, Padraig Spillane, Tom Brophy; Conor, Jack Dooley; Ronan Kelly, Will Kenny, Colm Moran; Callum Kearney, Cian Keaveney, Michael Behan. Subs: Alejandro Kinsella for Conor Kelly (37 minutes); Harry Grainger for Michael Behan (53 minutes); Oisin O'Donoghue for Callum Keaveney (58 minutes); Michael Hurley for Tom Brophy (57 minutes); Hugh Kennedy for Will Kenny (61 minutes).

NEWTOWN GAELS: Jack Harman; Billy Kelly, Mark Wallace, Conor Walsh; Cian Burke, Billy Byrne, Mick O'Toole; Conor Sullivan, Liam Blake; Ruadhan Kane, Ronan Doorey, Dara Cosgrave; Liam Deane, DJ Percival, Fionnan Manders: Subs: Fergal McKennedy for Liam Deane (half-time); Josh Gannon for Dara Cosgrave (43 minutes); Ben Kehoe for Mick O'Toole (53 minutes); Cillian Barr for Billy Kelly (58 minutes); Dylan Free for Conor Walsh (61 minutes).

REFEREE: Frank Delaney.