Portarlington's Leinster Club SFC campaign ends at the hands of Athy in Newbridge

Portarlington’s bid for the 2025 Leinster Club Senior Football Championship title ended in Newbridge on Saturday, as Athy of Kildare overpowered the Laois champions.

There was a strong breeze blowing from left to right and it favoured Athy in the first-half. They led 0-15 to 0-2 at the break and it left Port with a lot to do in the second half-hour.

The game wasn't 20 seconds old when the Kildare champions got the first score as Niall Kelly split the posts after Kevin Feely had won the throw-in. Portarlington's first point came after five minutes when Colm Murphy raised a white flag from a free. Athy kicking with a strong wind behind them controlled the game for the rest of the half. David Hyland was given far too much time and space to slice over a two-pointer, with the resulting kick-out won by Athy and Niall Kelly increased their lead.

Athy went 0-5 to 0-1 ahead after eight minutes as Sean Moore pointed a 45'. Port almost had the game's first goal when Paddy O'Sullivan played the ball into Rioghan Murphy, but James Roycroft got down low to deny the Portarlington number 12. Athy's second orange flag of the game followed as Niall Kelly curled an effort between the posts.

Three more single points and a third two-pointer for Athy saw them lead by 12 points to one with 22 minutes gone. Niall Kelly got two of those singular points from play, while Conor Doyle blasted the ball over when he was bearing down on goal. Hyland popped up with his second orange flag of the first-half.

Then came a big chance for Portarlington to get back into the game when Paddy O'Sullivan was fouled in the square. Colm Murphy stepped up to take the spot-kick, but Roycroft got down well to deny the Portarlington forward. Niall Kelly's seventh point of the half pushed Athy 12 points up. Colm Murphy finally broke Portarlington's 20-plus-minute spell without a score when he pointed a second free.

Athy finished the half with two points from Ronan Kelly and Kevin Feely as they went into the dressing rooms leading 0-15 to 0-2. The wind was strong, but it would take a lot for Portarlington to get back into the contest.

Pat Roe's men came out after the break and kicked the first five points to get back within eight, but a goal or two would definitely be needed for Portarlington to get back into the game. The returning Jake Foster came on at half-time and kicked a score within four minutes of his introduction. Colm Murphy then raised two orange flags from placed balls to cut Athy's advantage to eight points. Port's task was made a lot harder in the 38th minute as Sean Byrne was shown a black card.

Niall Kelly increased his tally before Rioghan Murphy replied with a point from play. Mark Hyland and Niall Kelly pointed a score each and Athy now led by 10 points again with 14 minutes to play. Darragh Slevin and a third Colm Murphy two-point free rounded off Portarlington's scoring, while Niall Kelly got Athy's final score of the game. Port ended the game with 14 players as Paddy O'Sullivan was shown a late red card.

FINAL SCORE

Athy 0-19

Portarlington 0-11

SCORERS – Athy: Niall Kelly 0-10 (one two-pointer, 0-4 frees), David Hyland two two-pointers, Kevin Feely, Ronan Kelly, Sean Moore (45’), and Conor Doyle 0-1 each. Portarlington: Colm Murphy 0-8 frees (three two-point frees), Rioghan Murphy, Jake Foster, and Darragh Slevin 0-1 each.

Athy: James Roycroft; Sean Moore, Michael Spillane, Darren Lawler; Padraic Spillane, Cathal McCarron, James McGrath; Kevin Feely, David Hyland; Brian Maher, Barry Kelly, Conor Doyle; Ronan Kelly, Colm Moran, Niall Kelly. Subs: Mark Hyland for McGrath (19 mins), Ben Purcell for B Kelly (47 mins), Sean Bride for Maher (57 mins), Kieran Farrell for Moran (62 mins), Conor Kelly for R Kelly (64 mins) 

Portarlington: Luke O’Reilly; Mikey Bennett, Robbie Pigott, Curtis Lyons; Alex Mohan, Jason Moore, Paddy O’Sullivan; Keith Bracken, Sean Byrne; Darragh Slevin, Ronan Coffey, Rioghan Murphy; Jordan Fitzpatrick, Darragh Galvin, Colm Murphy. Subs: Diarmuid Bennett for Pigott (22 mins, inj), Jake Foster for Lyons (HT), Tom Corcoran for Fitzpatrick (51 mins), Eoin McCann for Bracken (54 mins)

Referee: Andrew Smith (Meath)