Former All-Ireland champions Athenry qualified for the group stages of the county championship last weekend when they defeated Kiltormer on a score-line of 0-15 to 0-7.
The defeat ended a disappointing week for Kiltormer, who were defeated in their two championship contests by Castlegar and Athenry, but most worrying for them was their failure to deliver a top-quality performance in either of those fixtures.
Kiltormer will know a serious improvement will be required in the relegation group to avoid a return to the intermediate ranks.
Athenry were backed by a gale in the opening period and it was a factor as they led by 0-9 to 0-3 lead at the small whistle.
Athenry had good displays at the back from Matthew Monaghan at full back, with Ciaran O'Donovan and Conor Burke also effective in the half line.
Once Kiltormer’s Keith Kilkenny departed due to injury the writing was on the wall for his side. They had solid performances from David Hayes, Emmet Goode, Shane Staunton, Shane Tierney, Jason Kilkenny, Conor Ryan, and Micheal Greaney
Athenry are a long way back from the side that brought the club to national glory in the 1990s, but they are hard-working and honest side and any side featuring O'Donovan, Burke, Liam Howley, Glynn, Michael John Quinn, and the promising Jack Carr will take a bit of beating.
They are in group D with St Thomas, Loughrea and Tynagh-Abbey/Duniry.
