Athlone Girls Take Title

On Saturday last Athlone U-12 ladies travelled to Springfield, Mullingar to face Shandonagh and determine the outcome of the 2003 County C Final. On a balmy September afternoon, slightly spoiled by a blustery diagonal wind, Athlone faced the elements for the first half and got off to the worst possible start with the concession of a first minute goal. The ensuing five minutes saw Athlone gradually find their stride with Patricia Igoe notching an opening point. However Shandonagh’s response was instant, with a point of their own, and they proceeded to dominate territorially for virtually the remainder of the half. With the wind gusting irregularly Athlone had difficulty in clearing their lines, despite this the opposition only managed to score a further three points before the break, thanks in no small way to resilient Athlone defending particularly from Kim Lynam, Melissa Connolly and Deborah Greene. Athlone had their chances also, but they were invariably wasted by over elaboration and wild shooting. Partial redemption came just prior to the half time whistle when Shauna Brophy broke through from a Lorna Mulvihill pass for a well taken point, which subsequently proved to be a great morale booster. Half time score Shandonagh 1-4 Athlone 0-2.

The old cliché of a game of two halves was certainly underlined by what followed in the second period. As early as the second minute Patricia Igoe tacked on her second point which was followed one minute later by a pointed free from Ciara O’Neill. Athlone had a new-found sense of urgency and when Laura Keegan found the net on four minutes it was really a case of “game on”. At this point Shannon King, who had battled hard all through, was motoring well in midfield and her resurgent partner, Jennifer O’Neill was coming more and more into the game. The seventh minute of the second half saw Athlone take the lead for the first time with a further point from Igoe. End to end stuff followed with Shandonagh exerting some pressure on the Athlone defence but the backs did not yield easily with Rachel O’Brien repelling all efforts on her goal helped by Sarah Brennan, Amy Maher and Aoife Dunning. Aine McCaul stretched Athlone’s lead to two points with six minutes remaining and this was soon followed by a fourth from top scorer and captain Patricia Igoe. Shandonagh kept pressing but a combination of good defence, bad luck and some woeful finishing denied them any score. With time virtually gone Jennifer O’Neill closed Athlone’s account with a fine point from distance. Shandonagh broke up field in an all out attempt to salvage the game and were denied at the expense of a 45. The ensuing kick came to nothing and with it the long whistle. Amid scenes of joy the Athlone team and panel raised the decibels with a roar that surely frightened every swan from the many fabled lakes of north Westmeath. The final score line read: Athlone 1-8 – Shandonagh 1-4.

This was a spirited performance from Athlone,a feature of which was their resilience, pure resolve and a great team spirit. As aforementioned, the seven defenders all played their part with the midfield partnership more than holding their own. Any management team would be happy with a scoring return from five of the six forwards on duty. Mulvihill, the only non scorer of the unit more than compensated with her assists and her general work rate, as she proved to be a real thorn in the side of the defence, winning numerous frees. Player of the match goes to Patricia Igoe on yet another fine display, the smile of delight on her face when she received the Sean Coyle Perpetual Cup was reflected on the faces of all the Athlone squad. Well done girls we hope it is the first of many for you all. Commiserations to Shandonagh who gave of their all in a fine sporting fashion. Finally, a special word of praise for Damian, Mícheál and Eamon.

Athlone team, panel and scorers: Rachel O’Brien, Kim Lynam, Melissa Connolly, Sarah Brennan, Amy Maher, Deborah Greene, Aoife Dunning, Shannon King, Jennifer O’Neill(0-1), Aine McCaul(0-1), Ciara O’Neill(0-1), Laura Keegan(1-0), Shauna Brophy(0-1), Patricia Igoe(0-4),Lorna Mulvihill, Miriam Harkins, Shauna O’Neill, Aisling Malone, Heather Sherry, Vanessa Joyce, Natalie Harris, Kirsty Warby, Karen Duffy, Sarah Clarke, Becky Hand, Claire Egan, Shauna Golden, Claire Sheehan, Caoimhe Lawlor, Deirdre Hynes, Shauna Harris and Ailish McCormack.

One irritating negative: Springfield hosted no less than three County Finals on the day, one would never have thought so, with the preparation of the facilities. The pitch was not marked, there was not a flag in sight and the grass was quite long. I’m sure these matters will be redressed in future. This is not directed in anyway at Mullingar Shamrocks but , merely a wake-up call to the Ladies Board

Champions

Ballinagore was the setting on Sunday last, as Athlone met old rivals St. Lomans in the final of the 2003 County League. On a warm early afternoon Lomans had the advantage of the breeze for the first period but it was Athlone who drew first blood with early points from Ian Lacey, Neil Lynch and John Conellan in the first ten minutes. Scores were proving hard to come by due to tight marking and wayward finishing. From the outset it was patently obvious that both sides knew each very well, some of the re-acquainting done was of the bone shaking variety. St. Lomans registered their first point in the thirteenth minute soon followed by a well taken Michael Prior point and both sides traded a point apiece. Athlone’s coming from a Connellan free. With three minutes remaining Connellan again pointed a free to restore Athlone’s three point advantage. However, Lomans had the final say of the half with a brace of late points to leave the minimum between them, five points to four, at the break. The score in yellow cards at this stage was also close, Athlone two Lomans one.

Lomans restarted brightly and actually took the lead courtesy of two points before Athlone replied with points from Alan Gaughan and Noel McGee. Further cards followed, one apiece, before Athlone hit a purple eight minute patch which turned the game. It started with Ian Lacey kicking two majestic pointed frees from the right-hand sideline, no more then 21 metres out. These were followed by a fine point from Eoin O’Flaherty before that man Lacey set the game alight with a well taken goal. Not to be outdone, Noel McGee followed with an opportunist goal one minute later leaving Lomans with a mountain to climb. As hard as they tried they simply had too much to do. They laid siege to the Athlone goalmouth but, thanks to some inspirational defending, several blocks and interceptions from Éanna MacConmhara were outstanding, Lomans could only raise two white flags during the closing minutes. Athlone were reduced to fourteen men with two minutes to go when team captain, Declan Byrne received his second yellow. It mattered not as Athlone went on to regain the title on the score line of: 2-10 to 0-09.

This was a most satisfying victory for the Shannonsiders, especially when it was achieved in the absence of team manager, Declan O’Flaherty, who was on holidays. Well done to Liam, Danny and Rory for filling the breach and sincere thanks to senior manager, John Foley who lent some words of wisdom before the off. On the pitch, Stephen Keegan did not put a foot wrong between the sticks and got good protection from his defenders, best of whom were Johnny Dunning, Mac Conmhara and Joseph Benson. In the middle, Byrne and O’Flaherty were up against a very strong pairing, but held their own admirably.Up front all of the sextet which started, scored, and they played intelligently as a unit. Man of the match award: shared between Éanna MacConmhara and John Connellan one for his brilliant and brave defending and the other for his non stop action, popping up wherever trouble loomed, and covering virtually every blade of grass on the pitch. Well done to all and let’s hope that this good form is carried into the Championship.

Athlone team, panel and scorers: Stephen Keegan, Mark Fitzsimons, Johnny Dunning, Éanna MacConmhara, Joseph Benson, Ian Bolger, Kevin Macken, Declan Byrne, Eoin O’Flaherty(0-1), Ian Lacey(1-3), Noel McGee(1-1), John Connellan(0-2), Alan Gaughan(0-1), Neil Lynch(0-1), Michael Prior(0-1), Andrew Cochrane (for Prior 27m), John Stapleton, Daniel Kenny, Simon Mulvihill, Daniel Grehan, Shane O’Neill, Darren Hanevy and Emmett Moran. Andrew Healy also travelled but was too ill to play while, regular corner back, Cian Murray was unavailable due to holidays.