Impressive Athy too strong for Moorefield

Athy 3-19

Moorefield 1-7

Athy put on a very impressive performance as they comfortably defeated Moorefield in the Joe Mallon Motors SFC, Preliminary Round, at Manguard Park on Friday evening.

The boys from the south of the county were led by the Kelly brothers, Niall and Barry, who were too hot to handle for the

Moorefield defence on an evening that saw the boys in red convert chance after chance from the throw-in to the final whistle, hitting less than a handful of wides throughout.

Moorefield on the other hand were in trouble from the start, the defence was under real pressure in a display that was crying out for Ger Brennan's side to employ a sweeper as Athy employed just one player up front and time and time again used their pace and their power to cut open the boys in green.

Ironically it was Moorefield who carved out the early scoring chances but a missed close-in free followed by two wides was followed by three quick-fire points from Niall Kelly who was in outstanding form as Athy led 0-3 to 0-0 after six minutes.

A long ball in from Ryan Moore was brilliant caught by Jason Philips, the big full forward converted the mark to open his side's account.

A few more wides from The Moores did nothing for their cause as a foul on Niall Kelly was converted by himself, followed by wing back, David Hyland making 0-5 to 0-1 mid-way through.

Athy were looking dangerous every time they broke from defence and with the way Moorefield were set-up it basically played into the hands of the Vinny Walsh managed Athy side.

Evan O'Brien, after a fine run, punched over before Barry Kelly showed his place and power to get behind the Moorefield defence and hit a beauty over the bar.

A great ball in by Kieran Farrell saw Barry Kelly beat his marker before turning and blasting to the net making it 1-6 to 0-2.

A brilliant Niall Kelly point, followed by one from the brother before Kevin Feely hit Athy's first wide of the evening — and that after 27 minutes but two more Barry Kelly points saw Athy lead at the break 1-10 Moorefield 0-2.

Moorefield rung the changes at half-time but it was Paudie Behan opened for Athy before Moorefield's Jason Philips popped one over, Mark Murray added another but Athy replied with Behan getting Athy's second goal and while Ciaran Kelly replied with a similar goal for Moores, set up by Mark Dempsey.

There was no stopping Athy though as they added 1-5, the goal from Paschal Connell, making it 3-16 to 1-5 Ciaran Kelly getting Moore's point.

Three more white flags from Kieran Farrell, Kevin Feely and Niall Kelly; Ciaran Kelly and Jason Philips replying as the final whistle arrived it was Athy who advance to the winners' group on a final score line of Athy 3-19 Moorefield 1-7.

Even allowing for a very disappointing display from Moorefield this was one hell of a display from Athy. Their game plan, their tactics, their pace and power and their ability to convert was hugely impressive and if they can repeat this type of performance they will give any team a run for their money.

For Moorefield it is on to the losers' group, needless to say they have a lot to improve on if they are to make any impression in this championship.

Scorers: Athy, Niall Kelly 0-9 (2 frees), Barry Kelly 1-3, Paschal Connell 1-1, Paudi Behan 1-1, David Hyland 0-2, Kevin Feely 0-1, Kieran Farrell 0-1, Conor Doyle 0-1.

Moorefield, Ciaran Kelly 1-2, Jason Philips 0-3 (mark), Evan O'Brien 0-1, Mark Murray 0-1.

ATHY: James Roycroft; Mark Hyland, Sean Bride, Shane McGovern; David Hyland, Darren Lawler, James McGrath; Kevin Feely, Paschal Connell; Conor Kelly, Kieran Farrell, Paudie Behan; Killian Mulhall, Barry Kelly, Niall Kelly. Subs: Conor Doyle for Conor Kelly (42 minutes); Cathal McCarron for Shane McGovern (47 minutes); Cathal Kennedy for Kieran Farrell (52 minute); Shane Jackman for Niall Kelly (55 minutes).

MOOREFIELD: Tom Kinsella; Ian Meehan, Mark Dempsey, Liam Callaghan; Danny Hanniffy, Kevin Murnaghan, Padraig Cribbin; James Murray, Ryan Moore; Aaron Masterson, Mark Murray, Tommy McGrath; Evan O'Brien, Jason Philips, Tom Connolly. Subs: Ciaran Kelly for Tommy McGrath (half-time); Luke Sweeney for Evan O'Brien (half-time); Ryan Houlihan for Ryan Moore (half-time); Eamonn Callaghan for Tom Connolly (41 minutes); Anthony Durney for Liam Callaghan (47 minutes).

REFEREE: Paddy McDermott.