Athy take MFL Division 2 title in a cracker

Athy are the Manguard Plus Division 2 Minor Summer League champions after a hugely entertaining three point win over Oliver Plunketts played in Two Mile House on Wednesday evening.

Athy got the perfect start when Harry Grainger got on the end of Scott McDonnell's pass to fire home a second minute goal.

Fionn Stewart Byrne replied inside a minute with a fine 35 metre point and from the restart Callum Fisher was on hand to palm to an empty net from a James Foran's centre abd Plunketts were ahead for the first time.

James Foran and Bobby Horan pointed for the Two Mile House and Ballymore Eustace amalgamation either side of a Calum Keaveney brace for the visitors..The county U20 player converting from a free and a '45.

Keaveney who sent Athy to the break a point ahead,1-4 to 1-3.

On the resumption Cillian Gilroy hit the first of three two-pointer frees that edged Plunketts back in front.

Calum Keaveney with two points had Athy back in front.

The Ballymore duo of Aidan Grace, with two points, and half time substitute Charlie Murphy with one had Plunketts two up.

Ronan Mulhall and Harry Grainger added Athy points to restore parity at the end of the third quarter.

Gilroy landed a second two-pointer.

A superb piece of defending by Cameron Prior saw Athy move quickly from defence to attack and Callum Keaveney set up Harry Grainger for his and Athy's second goal.

Adain Grace levelled again before the outstanding Keaveney landed two two-pointers to leave four between the sides.

Plunketts weren't lying down and Cillian Gilroy did land a third tw0-pointer to just two between the sides.

Athy keeper Adam Zdybik then made a superb save from Maddox Meade before corner back Ben Dalton cleared off the line.

It was fitting that the final score fell to Callum Keaveney the last of his eleven point haul as Athy claimed the title on a 2-13 to 1-13 scoreline.

Oliver Plunketts: Cillian Gilroy 0-6 (32pf); Martin Horan, Cameron Cullen, Noah Fahy; Aidan Gilroy, Conor Quinn, James Dowling; Matthew Kelly, Fionn Stewart Byrne 0-1; Michael Ryan, Bobby Horan 0-1, Cien Meade; Charlie Fisher 1-0, Aidan Grace 0-3, James Foran 0-1. Subs: Charlie Murphy 0-1 for Michael Ryan H/T; Maddox Meade foe James Foran 41.

Athy: Adam Zdybik; Ben Dalton, Stephen Byrne, Cameron Prior; Jay Leigh, Cameron Pedreschi, Hugh Kennedy; Patrick Reeves, Zach Sullivan; Joseph Davis, Calum Keaveney 0-11 (3f,2X2pf), Ronan Mulhall 0-1; Ryan Clancy; Harry Grainger 2-1, Scott McDonnell. Subs: Conor Brophy for Scott McDonnell 45; Peter Dunne for Ryan Clancy 45; Bobby Wallace for Zach Sullivan 58.

Referee: Ian Fitzberald.