Lawlor Cup Final

Athy 11
Newbridge 6

NEWBRIDGE have got their name just once before on this cup in 2007 and lost a great chance to make it a second occasion.

Athy were dogged and more clinical with their chances, although both sides were guilty of squandering penalty chances that could have sealed the game either way.

In a scrappy game Newbridge dominated the early exchanges with Eoin Walsh making his presence felt at second row while winger Ben Braithwaite stretched the Athy defence.

Johnny McNamara slotted over two penalty kicks to leave Newbridge firmly in the driving seat at the end of the first quarter.

But Athy weren’t willing to let Newbridge have it all their own way and their experienced pack began to grind their way up field with some great controlled rucking.

In the second quarter Athy won possession from a promising lineout and went through five phases to score in the corner.

Newbridge tried to play the more expansive game but were too often beaten to the breakdown and turned over possession.

Gavin Coffey had a clear cut chance just before the break but was swallowed up by the defence and Athy were able to clear their lines.

Both sides then missed a series of series of penalties to leave it 6-5 at halftime.

The same pattern continued in the second half with Newbridge exerting lots of pressure early on.

Walsh again had a sight of the line but again Athy put in the tackles and stole the ball.

The street smarts and forward power of the Athy pack began to tell against a young Newbridge pack and scrum half.

Veteran props Eddie southern and Arjen Delaney represented the experienced men in the Newbridge forwards with teenager Denis Clarke in centre proving to be a superb strike runner in the centre.

Athy worked the ball well through their pack which began to dominate for long stretches forcing Nebwridge into errors and kicked two penalties for a well deserved victory.