Hyland sticks it to doubters in victory speech after Athy stun Naas in Kildare final

Athy ended Naas’s bid for a historic five-in-a-row as David Hyland’s inspired side delivered a powerful, composed display to claim their first Kildare SFC title since 2020.

Athy players, from left, Tony Gibbons, David Hyland and Niall Kelly celebrate after their side's victory in the Kildare SFC final. Pic: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

Kildare SFC final: Athy 1-17 Naas 0-18 

They didn't give Athy much of a chance of winning this Kildare SFC final, and boy did David Hyland stick it to their doubters in his victory speech.

Few, including the bookies, could see any way past Philly McMahon's Naas completing a five-in-a-row and matching the club hurlers' recent county success.

Hyland even referenced in his speech how a fixture between Naas and Wicklow's Baltinglass in the Leinster club SFC on November 2 somehow did the rounds ahead of the game.

It won't be Naas, the 2021 and 2023 Leinster finalists, travelling to Aughrim next Sunday week, of course, but rather a powerful and slick looking Athy outfit.

Hyland, best known as a centre-back with Kildare, lined out next to county captain Kevin Feely and helped Athy to gain a vital edge in midfield.

Barry Kelly was excellent too, scoring 1-3 from centre-forward before going off with a cramp that underlined his impressive efforts.

His big brother, Kildare stalwart Niall, struck six important points as well, mostly from frees though ex-Tyrone star Cathal McCarron was the real revelation.

Now 37, the centre-back sold dummies and booted points off the outside of his boot, ultimately finishing up with three scores from play.

Athy, leading by a point at half-time, turned the screw between the 38th and 48th minutes when they reeled off seven points without response.

"If you were following the form book, we haven't been too far away from Naas," noted Hyland. "We brought them to extra-time last year when we were missing a few players. We've always been within two or three points of them. To have us so far out of the loop, by everyone beforehand, it looked like a bit of a strange mismatch on paper."

Hyland referenced the emotion of the occasion, saying he really felt it kick in just after the pre-match parade. He and his colleagues channeled it all superbly with Barry Kelly resembling a wasp on acid at times as he popped up all around the field and sniped score after score.

For both of those players, the day began with a trip to the graveyard.

"I felt her there today," said Hyland, referencing his late mother, Maura. "I went up to the graveyard and as I was coming out, Barry Kelly was going in to see his grandad. It was emotional."

Naas had their moments but only Alex Beirne, who struck 10 points overall, and his Kildare colleague Ryan Sinkey really turned it on. Otherwise, they looked a pretty tired team with Dublin legend Philly McMahon unable to guide the club to a 13th title.

"We said we weren't going to die wondering, that we'd shoot our shot and if it was good enough it was good enough," said Hyland of Athy's approach. "Our man-markers did really well and we tried to cover too by dropping back. But, look, you have to score if you want to beat Naas, it's as simple as that."

And yet it was Athy that rued a string of first-half wides, seven in total. Niall Kelly also hit the post with a goal attempt in the 15th minute.

They trailed by four points in the 25th minute but Barry Kelly's goal - he pounced from close range when Naas failed to clear an Athy point attempt from Darren Lawler that dropped short - ignited them.

By half-time, Athy actually led 1-7 to 0-9, McCarron fisting over his first point of the day during the siege.

Naas got it going briefly after the restart with three points but a dispossession on Beirne led to an Athy score. From the kick-out, Naas claimed the ball inside their own arc, leading to an Athy free that Niall Kelly converted.

Athy's tails were up and they clipped seven points in all before Naas finally responded.

There was the anticipated Naas revival late on, Beirne and Sinkey registering 0-6 between them, a haul that included Beirne's third and fourth two-pointers.

But both also failed to turn separate two-point opportunities into scores in stoppage time when Naas were just two behind.

Now it's on to Leinster for Athy.

"We played against them a few years ago in a challenge game and got beaten," said Hyland of Baltinglass. "We'll enjoy the next few days no doubt but we'll get back to brass tacks on Thursday night."

Scorers for Athy: B Kelly 1-3; N Kelly 0-6 (5 frees); C McCarron 0-3; S Moore, B Maher 0-2 each; K Feely 0-1.

Scorers for Naas: A Beirne 0-10 (2 tp, 2 tpf, 1 free); R Sinkey 0-5; K Cummins, B Stynes, J McKevitt 0-1 each.

ATHY: S Jackman; S Moore, M Spillane, D Lawler; P Spillane, C McCarron, J McGrath; K Feely, D Hyland; B Maher, B Kelly, C Doyle; R Kelly, C Moran, N Kelly.

Subs: C Keaveney for R Kelly (46); B Purcell for B Kelly (50); M Hyland for Moran (57); S Bride for McGrath & P Behan for Doyle (59).

NAAS: L Mullins; M Maguire, B Byrne, R Fitzgerald; J McKevitt, E Doyle, B Stynes; Paddy McDermott, Paul McDermott; E Beirne, F Quinn, K Cummins; D Kirwan, A Beirne, R Sinkey.

Subs: C Daly for Quinn (43); N Aherne for E Beirne (46); S Hanifin for Stynes (49); D Hanifin for Cummins (53).

Ref: B Cawley (Sarsfields).