Athlone GAA :: Match Reports :: Game Day Highlights

NOTES 3 & 4 October, 2001

DIVISION 1 LEAGUE

Athlone's dismal run in this year's Division 1 League continues following their defeat by Mullingar Shamrocks in Pairc Chiarain last Saturday. With the visitors fielding a very young and inexperienced side one would have expected a home win. However, from the throw-in to the final whistle Athlone displayed a total lack of urgency and commitment. Though Mullingar had more territorial possession in the first half, Athlone still managed to be level at half-time thanks mainly to an excellent goal scored by Seamus Qualter. Half-time score: Mullingar 0 - 5 Athlone 1 - 2. Up to the tenth minute of the second half Athlone were leading by one point but in the next fifteen minutes Mullingar scored 1- 5 without reply from Athlone. A goal in the 25th minute by Damien Kelly brought hopes of an Athlone comeback but three further points by Mullingar saw them emerge comfortable winners on a final score of Mullingar Shamrocks 1 - 15 Athlone 2 - 5. The following was the Athlone line-out and scorers:

Ritchie Daly (Capt) Paddy Dunning, James Kilroy, Fergal Murray,Padraig Fogarty, Oliver Keating, Adrian Moran. Rory O'Connell (0 - 1) Damien Kelly ( 1 - 0), Dermot McManus ( 0 - 1), Tom Stuart-Trainor, Aidan St. John, Joe Fallon (0 - 2), Seamus Qualter ((1 - 1) and Mark Samuels. Sub: John Kelly for M Samuels.

MINOR NOTES

Under 10:

Last Monday Athlone played Clann na Gael in the quarter final of the Lough Ree League. Athlone opened brightly and raced into an early lead through a point by Shane Kilroy Glynn and a goal from Kevin Horan.Clan gradually settled and it was nip and tuck for the remainder of the first half., with Clan tying up the scores at half time.

Athlone opened best in the second half, but a five minute spell midway through this half, in which two very soft goals were conceded, ultimately decided the outcome of this game. The lads battled back bravely and reduced the lead to two points with two minutes remaining. Try as they might Athlone just could not breach the Clan defence for that vital goal. The last few minutes saw Athlone bombard the square but all to no avail. Final score Athlone 2 - 6 Clann na nGael 3 - 6.

Our thanks to St. Brigid's GAA Club for their organisation of the Lough Ree League, once again it proved to be the premier U10 competition in the midlands.

Following their exit from the Lough Ree the lads took up the gauntlet against Tubber in the annual Castledaly organised Coffey Cup Competition. Agood competitive game ensued with Athlone eventually running out 5 points winners at the final whistle. Our second match in this competition took place on Saturday last in Castledaly, where we met St. Brigid's. In a game dominated by a strong wind, these old rivals went head to head for the fourth time this season. Wind assisted St. Brigid's had by far the better of the first half and although Athlone found their feet for the second quarter, some bad finishing saw them train by 5 points to nil at the break.

With the wind at their backs in the second half a rejuvenated Athlone side went straight in the the attack and after five minutes had levelled the scores. What followed was not for the fainthearted, as the game flowed from end to end. Gradually, Athlone edged into a four point lead which they sustained into injury time, when St. Brigid's scored a late goal. Thankfully the final whistle sounded soon after to leave Athlone victorious on the scoreline of 2 - 4 to 1 - 6.

Athlone team and panel: Scott Gaynor, Philip Coffey, Marc Ryan, Mark McBride, Sean Dowling, Brian Mulvihill, Stephen Feery, Eoin Gaughan, Robert Benson, Daniel Qualter, Andrew Lynam, Adam Ward, J B Boland, Kevin Horan, Shane Kilroy-Glynn, JamieO'Connor,, Brendan Fagan, Cian McCormack, Stephen McGettigan, Jason Boland, James Hannon, Alan Byrne, Dylan Lynch, Padraig Muldoon, Philip Nee, Liam Muldoon, Evan Conway.

Under 12:

Athlone under 12's travel to Ballynacargy on Saturday next the 6th October to play the home team in their last league match of the year. If Athlone win this game they will be crowned league champions for the year 2001. This would make it 3 in a row of under 12 champions. So it is hoped to have a big turn out of support for this game. Travel time will be arranged at training on Friday night.

Under 14:

Athlone under 14's have qualified for the final of the Under 14 Championship where they will meet St. Loman's. Date for final to be arranged.