Kildare's Athy book a place in the Leinster Club final

Colm Moran of Athy in action against Mikey Bennett of Portarlington during the AIB Leinster GAA Football Senior Club Championship semi-final match between Athy and Portarlington at Cedral St Conleth's

placeholder image — Colm Moran of Athy in action against Mikey Bennett of Portarlington during the AIB Leinster GAA Football Senior Club Championship semi-final match between Athy and Portarlington at Cedral St Conleth's

Athy win built on opening half impressive display

Athy booked their place in teh AIB Leinster Senior Club Leinster final following an excellent win over Laois champions, Portarlington at Cedra St Conleth's Park, Newbrige, this afternoon, where they will meet Dublin champions Ballyboden St Enda, who defeted Tullamore, also this afternoon.

Playing with the strong wind into the Kilcullen end, Athy dominated the opening half, holding Port to a mere two points. However it took some excellent defending, one great save from James Roycroft and a second brilliant penatly save to ensure the Laois champions had a big hilll to climb as Athy led at the break 0-15 to 0-2.

Two brilliant two-pointers from David Hyland and great display from Niall Kelly helped Athy to that interval lead.

Port hit back with a couple of two pointers on the resumption but eight points was the closest they got, and after withstanding the initial and expected push from the Laois champions, it was Athy who in the end won with a bit in hand.

Potarlington were reduced to 14 late on when Patrick O'Sullivan was shown a straight red.

Final score: Athy 0-19 Portarlington 0-11.

Scorers: Athy, Niall Kelly 0-10 (1 two-pointer, 4 frees), David Hyland 0-4 (2 two-pointers), Kevin Feely 0-1, Ronan Kelly 0-1, Sean Moore 0-1 (45), Conor Doyle 0-1, Mark Hyland 0-1.

Portarlington. Colm Murphy 0-8 (2 frees, 3 two pointer frees), Daragh Slevin 0-1, Rioghan Murphy 0-1, Jake Foster 0-1.

ATHY: James Roycroft; Sean Moore, Michael Spillane, Darren Lawler; Padraic Spillane, Cathal McCarron, James McGrath; Kevin Feely, David Hyland cpt; Brian Maher, Barry Kelly, Conor Doyle; Ronan Kelly, Colm Moran, Niall Kelly. Subs: Mark Hyland for James McGrath (19 minutes); Ben Purcell for Barry Kelly (47 minutes); Sean Bride for Brian Maher (57 minutes); Kieran Farrell Colm Moran (61 minutes); Conor Kelly for Colm Moran (61 minutes).

PORTARLINGTON: Luke O'Reilly; Mikey Bennett, Robbie Pigott, Curtis Lyons; Alex Mohan, Jason Moore, Patrick O'Sullivan; Keith Bracken, Sean Byrne; Darragh Slevin, Ronan Coffey cpt., Rioghan Murphy; Jordan Fitzpatrick, Darragh Galvin, Colm Murphy. Subs: Diarmuid Bennett for Robie Pigott (21 minutes); Jake Foster for Curtis Lyons (half-time); Tom Corcoran for Jordan Fitzpatrick (50 minutes); Eoin McCann for Keith Bracken (53 minutes).

REFEREE: Andrew Smith, Westmeath.