go to History of Athlone GAA Part 2 | go to History of Athlone GAA Part 3

HISTORY OF G.A.A. IN ATHLONE by Eddie Martin

The people of Athlone brought the G.A.A. to the town during 1885 with members of the Irish National League very much to the fore.
On Easter Sunday 1886 a great hurling match between Athenry, led by P.C. Kelly and Clara, led by P. White was played in Athlone with victory going to the men from the west. This event was followed by a football match between the workers of Athlone Woolen Mills and the Saw Mills and Bobbin factory which ended in a draw.

Between 1886 and 1893 many challenge games were played between Athlone and local teams, particularly Ballinasloe. In 1892 Athlone produced a team of magnificent footballers and renowned athletes – such as M J Flynn and John Halligan, the Kerrigan brothers and Johnny Norton. This team played two games on the same day 23rd April ’93 at Robinstown near Mullingar defeating Woodown Wrackers in the semi-final and immediately afterwards, Mullingar Commercials in the final of the Westmeath Football Championship. The Athlone team at that time were called Athlone TP O’Connor ( in honour of T.P. O’Connor M.P.) The referee that day was Martin McGreevy first chairman of Westmeath County Board Council in 1891.

On the 19th March 1893 Athlone as champions of Connacht played Young Irelands (Dublin) in the All-Ireland semi-final but owing to a disturbance on the field this game was not finished. Young Irelands went on to beat Laune Rangers and won the All-Ireland Championship for Kerry.

go to History of Athlone GAA Part 2 | go to History of Athlone GAA Part 3