PREVIEW: Kildare kings Athy all set for Summerhill in Leinster Quarter-Final

And so it's back to the familiar surroundings of Cedral St Conleth's Park, Newbrige, on Saturday for Kildare champions, Athy, when they will be hoping to make it to the last four of the AIB Leinster Senior Club Football Championship, taking on Meath champions, Summerhill, in a game that throw-in at 5:15pm.

Summerhill had a fine win two weeks ago defeating Longford champions Killoe Young Emmets and while the Longford boys had an early lead playing with the aid of a strong breeze, once Summerhill got into their stride in the second half they won with a bit in hand putting up an impressive score line of 2-22 conceding 1-16.

Athy, of course, travelled up the Wicklow mountains and got the better of Baltinglass, it was a game that that David Hyland's boys were always in front, going four points clear in the opening eight minutes, they led at the break by four, having played against the wind and then put their opponents to sleep with two brilliant David Hyland two-pointers and second half goals from Ronan Kelly, who also got the opening goal in the first, wing-back James McGrath getting their third, a typical left-footed effort from the county man.

It was an impressive display from the Ross Bell and Conor Ronan managed side and they were certainly really pleased with their side's performance.

Meath teams have not a great record in the Leinster Club. They  have not been in the Leinster final since  2004 while Dunshaughlin was the last side to win it out, that back in 2002.

Summerhill have nine Meath senior titles to their name, in recent times they collected the cup in 2011, 2013, 2023 and of course this year. In 2023 they lost out to Naas in Leinster at the   quarter-final stage.

Summerhill are managed by David Clare, the former Celbridge boss, who was with the boys from The Hazelhatch Road for three years (2020-2022) so he is very familiar with the Kildare Club scene and that's for sure.

There is also another strong Kildare connection with the Summerhill side, as Confey stalwart, Paul Divilly,  Head of Athletic Develop-

ment in Kildare, is also part of David Clare's backroom team.

The Kildare boys will go into this quarter-final as favourites, as they were against Aughrim, that favs tag certainly did not hinder them in the beautiful surrounds of the Wicklow mountains and hopefully it won't have any affect again on Saturday.

Athy look like a team that are gathering momentum with every game at this stage.

Following an excellent win over Sarsfields in the semi-final, followed by an equally impressive performance that saw them dethrone champions Naas in the final, there is a lot to like about them.

Extremely strong at the back, as they have been all season, but they seem to be growing in confidence, growing in self-belief and look like a side, if they continue that improvement, could give a lot of teams plenty to think about.

Sean Moore, playing out of his skin, had another big game in Round 1, as did the Spillane brothers. James McGrath, who has fired in some important goals for Kildare this season, was again on target two weeks ago with a sweet left-footed finish.

Kevin Feely continues to thrive, his fetching shows no signs of abating; team captain David Hyland put in another inspirational display against Baltinglass, his two two-pointers, from practically the same spot on the lush turf in Aughrim, were inspirational.

The Athy half-forward line of Brian Maher, Barry Kelly and Conor Doyle, may not have made it onto the score  sheet but that is not to say they were not influential.

Student (secondary school at that) Colm Moran had a great game, hitting 2-2, raised just one white flag but was involved throughout while Niall Kelly was as prominent as ever with four points from play. 

And just to show their strength in depth, Ben Purcell came off the bench to raise two white flags while Sean Bride also came in late and managed one.

Overall, Athy certainly look to be in a good place at the minute.

No doubt Summerhill will be a different kettle of fish; any side coming out of The Royal county will always relish a tilt with a Kildare side, club or county, and as said their manager David Clear will be very familiar with what he is facing but playing in Newbridge has to be an added bonus for Athy and if they can continue to play as they have in recent weeks, continue to keep it tight at the back, while attacking from deep, and at pace; strong around the middle, they have the players up front to make it to the last four.

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