Athy win Hosie Cup quarter-final clash with Cill Dara
Athy ran out 45 to 20 winners and will now take on North Kildare in the semi-finals
Athy 45
Cill Dara 20
Holders Athy progressed to the semi-finals of the Hosie Cup and regained the Ger Molloy Memorial trophy with a comprehensive win over Cill Dara at Silken Thomas Park. Athy were first to score with a penalty after 7 minutes, but Cill Dara were first over the line with a well worked try scored by Daragh Searing 5 minutes later. That was as good as it got for Cill Dara in the first half.
Although the Cill Dara pack were dominant at scrum time, their lineout wasn't functioning meaning they were giving up procession in good parts of the pitch allowing the slick Athy back line to create the damage. They regained the lead after 17 minutes with a try in the corner which was well converted. Cill Dara narrowed the gap after 22 minutes with a penalty from the 22 in front of the posts, but Athy went on to dominate after that with further converted tries after 25 minutes and on the stroke of half-time giving them a 24 - 8 lead.
Two quick tries after the break from Athy put the result beyond doubt. After 12 minutes the referee awarded a penalty try to Athy for a deliberate knock on from the Cill Dara defence putting 30 points between the teams. However, Cill Dara didn't give up and Chris Walsh muscled his way over from short distance after 17 minutes with Adam Quinn adding the extra points. This was added to by Adam again 10 minutes later with a good backs move after the pack pounded the Athy line into submission.
There were no further scores in the last 15 minutes leaving a final score of 45 - 20 to the well-deserved winners Athy. Athy will now take on North Kildare in the semi-finals of the Hosie Cup while Cill Dara will travel to Portarlington for a Lalor Cup meeting in a repeat of last year’s final.