Minor Ladies Ground-breaking Success

Our Minor ladies made the historic breakthrough when they captured their first title on Saturday 5th October, in Rochfortbridge. Facing a physically stronger St. Pauls side the game opened with both sides struggling to gain good possession in the first few minutes leading to some scrappy and sometimes physical play. However the first score was bound to have a settling effect and when it came it fell to Athlone with the industrious Niamh Shea opening her account with a well taken goal, .the same Niamh went on to give the display of her career during the ensuing 50 minutes or so. This score was soon followed by a Clodagh Browne point and at this stage Athlone were well into their stride. St. Pauls for their part were battling gamely but were finding the Athlone defence very hard to break down. Time and time again attacks were thwarted and the ensuing teamwork in working the ball up the field was a feature of Athlone’s play throughout. A Louise Conlon point followed up by yet another goal from O’Shea completed Athlone’s first half scoring. St. Pauls did not raise a flag during the first period, being denied by sound defending and some wayward shooting.

The second half started with St. Pauls in a much more determined mood and with the help of a few silly frees they began to tack on the points. A few missed frees and an unconverted penalty later, Athlone were in need of inspiration and it came with the settling guidance of captain Lil Stuart Trainor, her promptings seemed to spur the team on and a terrific point from the mercurial Eimear Connellan soon followed. Athlone had suddenly regained their form and when Natasha Quinn and Clodagh Browne added further goals, the comfortable margin had been restored.

With twelve minutes remaining on the clock Eimear Connellan was forced to retire injured, not before giving a few words of “gentle” encouragement to her teammates. Her replacement, Emma Kiernan went straight to full forward with Clodagh Browne moving to midfield. On another day Eimear’s loss could have proven crucial but it did not upset the rhythm in the slightest. Within a matter of minutes Emma made her mark on the game with a cracker of a goal. For the final few minutes the young and very talented Tanya Daly replaced Eimear Nolan at centre-half back. The final whistle was greeted with scenes of pure joy as Athlone took their historic first minor title on the scoreline of 5-3 to 1-3.

On a most important day for Athlone Ladies Football the girls gave an outstanding team display. It would be unfair to single out any one individual player, all of them from goalkeeper to left corner forward, to the substitutes used, gave of their all in a concentrated team effort. For some of the older squad members this was their first win in the Athlone colours and just reward for the many fruitless years. In a team with only five real minors the squad showed remarkable commitment all year and their hard work has paid off handsomely. Most importantly these girls have really gelled as a team, their togetherness on the field could serve as an example to many other sides in the Club. When captain fantastic, Lil, stepped up to raise the trophy, the sense of joy was evident for all to see. Well done girls you did yourselves and the Club proud. Congratulations also to Aileen and Mary whose hard work and dedication really paid off. Here’s to next year and to bigger and better things.

Athlone squad: Rachel Qualter, Jennifer Temple, Emma Conlon, Gráinne Temple, Niamh Egan, Eimear Nolan, Patricia Dillon, Eimear Connellan, Lil Stuart-Trainor, Niamh Ryan, Tracy Mullan, Niamh Shea, Natasha Quinn. Clodagh Browne, Louise Conlon, Emma Kiernan and Tanya Daly.

Footnote: Commiserations to Garrycastle who narrowly lost the A final at the same venue. It was heartening to see the two “Town” teams encouraging one another during their respective finals. What a pity the two cups did not come home to Shannonside.

U-10s Take Castledaly Plate

On Sunday 5th, our U-10 team travelled to Castledaly to play in the final of The Castledaly Plate Competition. On a bitterly cold and wet afternoon Athlone fielded a panel of 26 players and playing with the advantage of the elements took the game to opponents, Moate, pinning them for long periods, in their own half. This pressure was first rewarded through a Brian Gill pointed free followed by points from play from Aine McCaul (2), Ray Connellan and Conal Sheeran. A feature of the first half was the complete dominance of the Athlone half back line of Tommy McCoy, Robbie Murray and Glen Costello.

Moate resumed after the break with newfound confidence and were unfortunate to hit the woodwork in the early stages on no less than three occasions. Gradually Athlone fought their way back into the game with great work from the midfield partnership of Brian Gill and Conal Sheeran supported well by the half forward line of Lorna Mulvihill, Ray Connellan and Andrew O’Sullivan and, but for some defensive heroics from Moate, would have considerably increased their score tally. As it was it fell to corner forward Seamus Byrne to apply the “icing” when he neatly side-stepped the Moate defence to plant the ball in the back of the net. Game set and match to the youngsters from Athlone. The final scoreline read: Athlone 1-5, Moate 0-1.

Athlone team and panel: Alan O’Donovan, Eoin Maher, Mark Ryan, Ben Cunniffe, Tommy McCoy, Robbie Murray, Glen Costello, Brian Gill, Conal Sheeran, Lorna Mulvihill, Ray Connellan, Seanie Mooney, Aine McCaul, Andrew O’Sullivan, Dylan Lynch, Seamus Byrne, Aidan Byrne, Ciaran Prendergast, John Gormley, Stephen Malone, Blaine Dunning, Callam Tobin, Cassie Fogarty, Daniel Lynam, Kellie Sheriff and Brian Henry.

U-16s Progress to Final

In what was mainly a one-sided affair our U-16s easily accounted for neighbours Garrycastle at Tubberclair, on Saturday week last. In ideal conditions for football, Athlone got off to a flying start with six quick points followed by a John Connellan penalty. Playing fine flowing football Athlone continued to rack up the scores to lead at half time by 1-11 to 0-3. The second half was not quite as pacey as the first, but Athlone were always in control of matters and eventually ran out winners on the scoreline of:

Athlone 2-16 Garrycastle 0-7.

Athlone scorers on the day were: Alan Gaughan 1-5, John Connellan 1-2, Noel McGee 0-4, Declan Byrne 0-2, Cian Murray 0-2 and Michael Prior 0-1.

Elusive 21st Title

The 21st Flanagan Cup has eluded Athlone for the third time. In a much improved replay against The Downs both teams served up good quality football and were tied at five points apiece going into first half injury time when it all went suddenly pear-shaped for Athlone with the concession of two goals. However the heads did not go down and on the resumption they took the game to The Downs and with an unanswered 1-3, it was all tied up again. The stage seemed set for an epic last fifteen minutes or so until the gods conspired against Athlone on the double, firstly with the retirement of Aidan Collins through injury and almost immediately afterwards with the banishment of Rory O’Connell for a second “yellow” (the first of which still remains a mystery). The loss of two midfielders proved too much for Athlone and as a result The Downs ran out comparatively easy winners in the end. Athlone had started the day already short of three first choice players and it all proved too much in the end. Fair dues to The Downs, they probably shaded the issue over the two hours of football played and proved themselves to be the far hungrier side throughout.

For Athlone, it is no disgrace to lose a county final, the players can hold their heads high and look to next year. On behalf of all in Athlone GAA I would like to thank them for their huge commitment as evidenced in the number of sessions and matches held throughout the year, upwards of 125 in all. Rumours of retirement are always rife this time of the year, all I will say is the best of luck for the future to anyone who takes that road and thank you for your service to the club. Remember don’t go too far away, there are plenty of ways of lending assistance be it as a selector, underage coach or as a committee member. Last, but not least, a special word of thanks to John Foley, our manager. John’s enthusiasm and attention to detail have won him many new friends within the club. Let us not forget our selectors Davy and Liam and our back up team of Ned and Sean, thanks to all.