Athy put Tullow to the sword in lamentable league opener
Tulllow centre, Ryan Curran races up the field at The Showgrounds.
Junior rugby is well and truly back across the province, with Tullow suffering a humbling 43-point defeat in the first game of the 2026/27 Leinster League Division 1A. This was far from the start new Head Coach, Dermot Dunne would have envisaged for his debut season, but on the positive side, at least the only way from here in up.
Tullow and Athy have had a competitive rivalry over the past few years, with the niggle between the sides really coming to a simmer last season. The two clubs were embroiled in a season-long relegation battle in 2025/26, with Athy getting the better of that exchange, finishing two points above Tullow in the league table and going on to beat the men from the Black Gates in the prestigious Towns Cup Final.
The hosts got off to the perfect start, with a try on the board inside the opening three minutes. Having carved through the Tullow defence, Athy went through a couple of quick phases inside the 22 before spreading the ball out wide, where Aidan Henry floated the ball outside to younger brother, Daniel, who dotted down in the corner.
The exciting young winger was almost in for his second try barely five minutes later, racing towards the same corner before being stopped just short by Tullow full back, Dara Cosgrave. Athy recycled the ball well, however, with blindside flanker John Sheedy coasting over untouched for his side's second try.
Josh Miller was unable to land either kick from the left sideline, with the scoreboard reading 10-0 after ten minutes.
Athy smelled blood in the water soon crossed for a third try, with Aidan Henry pouncing on a loose ball in midfield and sending a grubber kick towards the line. Veteran scrum half, Eoin Farrell gathered the ball and did just enough to force it down over the line. Miller found the target this time to stretch his side's lead to 17 points after only quarter of an hour.
Tullow finally made their presence felt after that, taking Athy through several phases in the home side's 22. The visitors won a penalty just meters from the line and decided to tap, with colossal second row, Martin Cole barging over for a try. Cosgrave added the extras to bring his side back within ten midway through the half.
But Athy wasted no time in returning fire. Centurian Craig Miller twice kicked to the corner, where his pack drove Tullow backwards towards their own line, with lock Tom Brady on hand to make the most of the second maul, crossing for a fourth try and guaranteeing Athy the bonus point after only 23 minutes.
Athy were feeling themselves now and worked a splendid lineout move, releasing Daniel Henry who raced away under the posts for his second try. Josh Miller converted to make it 29-7 after half an hour.
Tullow then lost their openside, Fiach O'Byrne to the sin bin, with Athy making the most of the numbers advantage, powering a scrum towards the line. They then sent Tom Sheedy crashing up, with Sean Donohoe putting the finishing touches, crossing for try number six before Miller landed the conversion.
Tullow's woes were further compounded when they lost scrum half, Cian Leonard, who was injured in the defence of his line.
36-7 at half time.
Tullow were restored to a full complement shortly the break, but no sooner had O’Byrne returned to the field than replacement scrum half, David Tobin took his place in the sin bin.
Athy continued to pile on the pressure and added another try moments later when Craig Miller spun a lovely pass out the back for the oncoming Kevin Downey, with the big lock charging like a freight train across the line.
A fourth conversion from Miller followed before the inside centre produced a moment of magic in the 50th minute, chipping the ball to the corner off his wrong foot where Daniel Henry gathered to score yet again, completing his hat-trick in some style.
The home side took their foot off the accelerator for the final half an hour, emptying the bench in the process. Tullow, despite the return to the fray of Tobin, offered very little in way of meaningful attacks in the closing stages.
Athy prop, Aaron Rowan was sent to the sin bin 13 minutes before full time, and the away side made the most of the numbers advantage.
Hooker, Corey Leigh Hughes, and number eight, Scott Caldbeck – normally a loosehead - were two bright lights for Tullow, and the pair combined for their side's second try. A lovely throw into the lineout from Hughes saw the visitors set up a powerful driving maul as captain Calbeck peeled off the back to go over in the corner.
Cosgrave’s conversion attempt didn’t have the legs, leaving it 48-12 with ten minutes remaining.
There was to be one final score right at the end of game, with a delightful dink over the top from Craig Miller being gathered by Tom Sheedy. The big man got the ball down for the try, with his centre partner, Josh Miller adding the extras.
Tullow have the opportunity to correct course this coming weekend when they welcome Wicklow to the Black Gates on Saturday, a fixture that finished 27-27 last season.
D Henry (3 tries), J Sheedy, E Farrell, T Brady, S Donohoe, K Downey and T Sheedy (1 try each), J Miller (5 cons).
M Cole and S caldbeck (1 try each), D Cosgrave (1 con).
Aidan Hennessy; Shane Fata, Tom Sheedy, Josh Miller, Daniel Henry; Craig Miller, Eoin Farrell; Aaron Rowan, Niall O'Hanlon, Conan Dunne; Kevin Downey, Tom Brady; John Sheedy, Jack Henry, Sean Donohoe.
Richard McCarthy-Moloney, Matthew Henry, Cathal Fennessy, Joe Cole.
Dara Cosgrave; Sam Cullen, Jack Hanlon, Ryan Curran, Seamus Murphy-Cruse; Garrett Fitzgerald, Cian Leonard; Fiach Kavanagh, Corey Leigh Hughes, Tom Cashen; Tom Hughes, Martin Cole; Ben Butler, Fiach O'Byrne, Scott Caldbeck.
Brian Keogh, Daniel Whelan, Cathal Gorman, Keane Doyle, David Tobin.
Robbie O'Flynn.
