'Nobody else deserves this, only that group of lads' - Kildare SFC Final Man of the Match hails Athy teammates

Athy centre-forward Barry Kelly gave one of the textbook examples of a Man of the Match performance against Naas in this year’s Kildare SFC Final. His stellar scoring contributions were paired with an incredible work-ethic throughout which rightly earned him the individual award for this fixture. It was a stunning showing on the big occasion and one that will not be forgotten in Athy GAA circles.

Speaking post-match, Kelly said: “Yeah…it’s unbelievable. I’m stuck for words here now, it’s just really special. Nobody else deserves this, only that group of lads. Looking at the management team as well they are all just Athy men, pure Athy. I’m just so happy.

“The (Kelly) lads on the team now, as well as my Dad who was on the ‘87 team that won the county final and things like that makes it all the more special.”

He explained, “I think I pulled my calf about 15 minutes into the game. I just said I can’t go off now, I may stay going and did stay going. I cramped up about 15 minutes from the end and I wouldn’t have the best calves anyways. It’s all worth it now.

“(After coming off) I was walking up and down the sideline, the linesmen were telling me to get in,I had my jersey over me head.”

The centre-forward grabbed the game’s only goal when he smashed the ball into the back of the net in the 24th minute to reduce the Athy deficit from four points to just a single white flag.

“I just saw the ball hopping and said ‘this is it’ and just struck it," Kelly said. "Then when I looked up at the crowd everyone was going mental. That drove the lads on as well then.

“I was in the right position at the right times, other lads did the work to give me the ball so I won't get all the credit myself but sure I’ll take some of it," he smiled.

In terms of the Athy plan to deal with holders Naas, Kelly explained that they wanted to stay within touching distance during a likely tight first half, which ended up finishing with the future champions holding a one-point advantage and 1-7 to 0-8.

“Our goal coming into this game was to keep Naas close, even if they had a three-point lead at half-time that’d be okay. (We had) a one-point lead and I don’t think Naas have beaten any team going in losing at half-time so that drove us on even more and we brought it back home to Athy once again.”

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