PREVIEW: Kildare kings Athy coming in to Port(arlington) for tough Leinster Semi-Final clash

Football is back on the agenda this weekend with all three Kildare club sides still standing, Athy, Sallins and Grangenolvin, a major achievement in itself.

Athy come up against Laois champions Portarlington in the senior grade, a game fixed for Cedral St Conleth's Park, Newbridge, on Saturday, November 29 with a 2pm throw-in.

Following their impressive win two weeks ago against Summerhill, Athy now face up to near neighbours Portarlington.

Another stiff task for the Athy boys, Portarlingnton have an impressive record having chalked up 17 senior club titles in Laois, the first all the way back to 1893, however they have won five of the last six county titles — 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024 and this year, so a very impressive record indeed. Managed by Pat Row, former Laois and Offaly county manager, who won club championships with The Heath (football) and Clonad (hurling).

Portarlington have an impressive number of county players in their ranks including Robbie Pigott, Alex Mahan, Patrick O'Sullivan, Ronan Coffey, Rioghan Murphy, Colm Murphy, while Darragh Galvin is joining the county squad in 2026.

It has been a busy time for some of those Portarlington players, Sean Byrne and Robbie Pigott missed the opening round (Leinster Club) as they flew back to Australia to renew their visas, flying home once they were secured, however, they will be missing Jake Foster from the county final winning team, he remains in Australia.

Paddy O'Sullivan is the 2025 Club Player of the Year in Laois while Ronan Coffey is the 2025 County Player of the Year, a fair achievement in this his first year with the county.

Naomh Mairtín
Portarlington travelled to Drogheda to take on Naomh Mairtín, Louth champions in the quarter-final; it was more or less point for point early on before the Laois boys hit six points on the trot to go in at the break leading by five. Naomh Mairtín hit back at the start of the second half raising the orange flag followed by a goal.

Port replied with points from Galvin and Murphy and led 0-11 to 1-6 with 20 minute remaining; that was cut back to one after Sam Mulroy pointed but Port hit back opening a three point lead to go four ahead and while Naomh Mairtín did reply with a point, there was no way back as the Laois champions booked a place in the semi-final and a meeting with Athy.

Athy, of course, have enjoyed a brilliant season todate and are a side that look to be growing in confidence from as far back as the Kildare Senior Football Championship semi-final when they upset the odds, defeating Sarsfields, generally regarded as the biggest danger to stop Naas in their quest of making it five senior titles in a row.

That final, as good a final as we have seen in Kildare for a number of years, saw Athy come out on top, and deservedly so, causing a big upset.

Having said that Athy have been close in the last few seasons, they have eight senior titles to their name, the first back in 1933, while in more recent times won in 2011 and 2020, in fact Athy are the last team to win a senior championship prior to Naas going on their brilliant run of four in a row.

Jointly managed by Ross Bell and Conor Ronan, Athy have amongst their ranks highly talented county players in their midfield duo of Kevin Feely and captain David Hyland.

Niall Kelly, another highly regarded county man while James McGrath, who lines out for Athy at wing-back, the same position he occupied for most of the county side throughout 2025.

Cathal McCarron is a man with experience at the very top, the centre back has an All-Ireland medal in his locker, won with his native county Armagh back in 2008, he has a wealth of experience, a great reader of the game, excellent at both holding his position or indeed getting forward if and when the opportunity arises.

Sean Moore, who wears the no. 2 shirt, often lines out on the half-back line, has been one of the finds of the year for Athy.An excellent defender, has a great habit of getting forward and is more than capable of splitting the posts as we have seen on many occasions throughout 2025.

Darren Lawler is a defender, tough and rugged, while brothers Michael and Padraic Spillane have all had a season to remember.
Up front, again a great mixture of youth and experience.

As mentioned Niall Kelly needs no introduction, brother Barry, a player who enjoys a free run and pops up all over the pitch, a tenacious defender, a great link man; he was named as Kildare Club senior player of the year this year.

Brian Maher hit a cracking goal against Summerhill, a score that gave Athy the boost they needed at the time; Colm Moran another young player who is growing in confidence with every outing while Ronan Kelly, Conor Doyle are players who if they continue the progress they have made this year, are sure to have a big futures in the next few years.

And Athy have a bench that we have seen to good effect on a number of occasions; Ben Purcell hit two points when introduced against Summerhill, as he did against Baltinglass. Others on the bench who can be expected to make an appearance if required are Sean Bride and Cian Keaveney.

So a lot to look forward to.

Portarlington will be travelling to Newbridge full of confidence, having recorded wins over Ole Leighlin (Carlow) and Naomh Mairtín of Louth.

Home advance certainly a boost for Athy, tough game ahead but Athy should have enough to book a place in the Leinster decider.

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