Athy dig deep and defeat Sallins by a single point

County champions Athy had to dig very deep before overcoming a most unlucky Sallins side by a single point at Cedral St Conleth’s Park, this afternoon in the Joe Mallon SFC.

It was a game laced by some great football, particularly in the first thirty minutes.

The opening half was indeed something special with some brilliant play, particularly from Sallins as they tore into the 2026 senior champions, with magical football from Colm Dalton.

Sallins made full use of the strong wind into the town goal with James Dalton opening with a point after 45 seconds.

Athy hit back with three points before Cian Grimes fired over a two-pointer, a lovely Colm Dalton effort followed by a brilliant goal, Daragh Mangan setting up Colm Dalton who tested the rigging and when Cian Grimes added his second two-pointer the 2025 intermediate champions led 1-6 to 0-3.

Kevin Feely got a much-need point for Athy but Sallins hit back Paul Farrelly coming forward for a point.

That lead was extended with James Dalton, and two from Colm Dalton to stretch the lead out to nine points on 22 minutes.

James Roycroft denied Emmet Ralph but the resultant 45 was popped over by Cian Grimes.

Athy introduced Barry Kelly off the bench and that seemed to give the champs a lift with two quick points from Ronan Kelly and Calum Keaveney while Niall Kelly added a free.

Just before the half-time whistle that man Colm Dalton with brilliant movement popped one over to leave it at the break Sallins 1-12 Athy 0-7.

Athy got the second half to a great start with Paudi Behan goaling inside two minutes..

Sallins had an early chance but Cian Grimes' effort was brilliantly blocked.

A Niall Kelly free, a Cian Keaveney and Kelly point cut the lead back to two on the mid-way point.

Sallins were struggling to get forward as Athy played much greater intensity in the second half.

It was Cian Grimes who got Sallins opening point of the second half, a free but a brilliant Kevin Feely two-pointer had Athy within a single point.

With five remaining Cian Keaveney had them level with a punched point.

Back came Sallins with a Colm Dalton point.

But Athy came again, Sean Moore pointed a 45 and the same player got the winner on 60 minutes.

With the match official playing just two minutes of injury time Sallins could not muster the leveler and it was Athy who showed all their experience winning 1-15 to 1-14.

Scorers, Athy: Calum Keaveny 0-3, Paudi Behan 1-0, Kevin Feely 0-3 (1 two-pointer), Niall Kelly 0-3 (2 frees), Ronan Kelly 0-2, Sean Moore 0-2 (1 45), Cian Keaveney 0-2,

Sallins, Colm Dalton 1-5, Cian Grimes 0-6 (2 two-pointers, 45, 1 free), James Dalton 0-2, Paul Farrelly 0-1.

SALLINS: Matthew Farrelly; Ruairi Ó Domhnaill, Aaron Carney, Darren Keane; Sean Ó Domhnaill, Paul Farrelly, Glen McEvoy; Daragh Mangan, Lorcan McKenna; Cian Grimes, Colm Dalton, Luke Killian; Stehen Kelly, Emmet Ralph, James Dalton. Subs: Ferida O’Donnell for Emmet Ralph (3 minutes); Connor Dalton for Aaron Carney (53 minutes);

ATHY: James Roycroft; Darren Lawler, Mark Hyland, Michael Spillane; Brian Maher, Padraic Spillane, Sean Moore; Kevin Feely, David Hyland; Calum Keaveny, Paudie Behan, James McGrath; Ronan Kelly, Ben Purcell, Niall Kelly. Subs: Barry Kelly for Brian Maher (22 minutes); Cian Keaveney for Ben Purcell (36 minutes); Cathal McCarron for James McGrath (46 minutes).

REFEREE: Ryan Moran.