Three goal-Maynooth shock Athy as Donnellan boys shine
SFC Group B
Maynooth 3-7
Athy 0-10
Maynooth caused the shock of the 2023 SFC on Sunday with a fully-deserved six point win over a fancied Athy side at wind-swept Manguard Park.
In a group dubbed 'the group of death' few saw this one coming but it certainly adds spice to the final group games when Athy take on champions Naas, and even more importantly, Maynooth take on pointless Sarsfields.
Playing with the benefit of the strong wind in the opening half Maynooth opened the scoring with a point from Sean Hever. Athy replied with Kieran Farrell leveling up after six minutes.
Eoin Donnellan edged the boys in black ahead before Athy gained a bit of hold around the middle and when Conor Doyle found the range the sides were level.
Liam McGovern, making a welcome return after being out through injury for some time, fired over a free and when Barry Kelly split the posts, Athy led 0-4 to 0-2.
A magnificent long range free, albeit with the near gale behind him, saw Neil Flynn convert; McGovern replied with his second free but coming up to the 30 minute mark, a quick free from the alert Neil Flynn put Noel Donnellan in and the corner forward made no mistake from close range to find the Athy net. And when hurling star, Cathal McCabe added a point Maynooth went into the dressing room at half time leading by two points – 1-4 to 0-5.
Still it was felt once Athy got the wind on their backs they would have sufficient fire-power to take the tie. Maynooth, however did not read that particular script.
Two minutes after the resumption it was an Eoin Donnellan shot that was saved by James Roycroft in the Athy net, the ball breaking to Sean Hever who blasted first time to the net.
The impressive David Hyland landed a point for the boys in red but minutes later Roycroft was taking the ball out of onion sack again, this time a long ball in by Neil Flynn broke and there was Eoin Donnellan to score his second goal of the game,
Maynooth now leading 3-4 to 0-6, 38 on the clock and suddenly the alarm bells were beginning to ring for Athy.
Paul Maguire stretched the gap to eight before Athy began throw everything at Maynooth.
Points from Niall Kelly, David Hyland, Kevin Feely and Hyland again saw the lead back to four with six minutes remaining.
As Athy went the direct route it was county keeper Mark Donnellan who showed his absolute brilliance fetching ball-after-ball in a swirling wind with confidence and assurance.
Points from Sean Haver and Ciarán Flanagan put a stop to the Athy fight-back and as the final whistle arrived it was Maynooth who were celebrating a full-deserved victory as this win completely opens up the group as we await Round 3 in two weeks time.
Scorers: Athy, David Hyland 0-3, Liam McGovern 0-2 (2 frees), Conor Doyle 0-1, Kieran Farrell 0-1, Barry Kelly 0-1, Kevin Feely 0-1 Niall Kelly 0-1.
Maynooth, Eoin Donnellan 2-1, Sean Hever 1-2, Neil Flynn 0-1 (free), Cathal McCabe 0-1, Paul Maguire 0-1, Ciaran Flanagan 0-1.
MAYNOOTH: Mark Donnellan; Cathal Quinn, Niall O'Sullivan, Darren Maguire; Callum McCabe, Paul Maguire, Sean Mahon; Fionn Ó Giolláin, Paul Maguire; Ciarán Flanagan, Sean Hever, Sean Creevy; Eoin Donnellan, Cathal McCabe, Neil Flynn. Subs: Daniel O'Meara for Sean Mahon (46 minutes); Sean Higgins for Cathal McCabe (52 minutes); Paddy Mahoney for Eoin Donnellan (56 minutes); Daniel Farrell for Dean McAvinue (60 minutes); Conor Lynch for Sean Creevy (65 minutes).
ATHY: James Roycroft; Cathal McCarron, Sean Bride, Shane McGovern; David Hyland, Darren Lawler, Killian Mulhall; Kevin Feely, Paschal Connell; Conor Doyle, Kieran Farrell, Liam McGovern; Mark Hyland, Barry Kelly, Niall Kelly. Subs: Sean More for Killian Mulhall (37 minutes); Liam McGovern (37 minutes); Conor Kelly for Kieran Farrell (43 minutes); Shane Jackman for Conor Doyle (57 minutes).
REFEREE: Kieran Harris.