Senior Squad News

Our seniors played a useful challenge on Sunday evening resulting in a one point victory against Shamrocks of Offaly. The game gave management an opportunity to run the eye over a good number of the panellists on the night. Damo Kelly and Ollie Keating shipped knocks during the game but both should be back to fitness soon.

Our Division IV team had the unenviable task of travelling to Clonmellon on Saturday last to play St. Pauls. The end result was a five point victory for the hosts, thanks in the main, to a late goal from a questionable penalty.

Garrycastle Minor Tournament

Athlone travelled to Tubberclair to take on the combined strength of Shannon Gaels on Sunday morning last. Athlone travelled light, so much so, that a recovering Jack Burke was forced to take the field to make up the required fifteen. On a morning which was ideal for football, the visitors started brightly and took the initiative from early to dominate the first period. But for a dubious penalty awarded to Gaels, Athlone would have enjoyed a bigger lead at half time than the two point lead which they did garner.

The second half saw Athlone fall asleep, somewhat, until such time as Gaels had crept into a one point lead. An Athlone revival followed which saw them embark on a mini goal scoring blitz to seal the issue. Final score Shannon Gaels 2-7 - Athlone 4-8.

Athlone team,panel and scorers: Ken Gaynor, Cian Murray, Conor Kennedy, Kevin Macken, Mark Fitzsimons, John Dunning, Michael Prior, Eoin O'Flaherty(2-0), Declan Byrne(0-1), Darren Costello, Neil Lynch(0-3), John Stapleton(0-1), Daniel Grehan(0-1), Jack Burke(1-2), Eoin McCormack(1-0) and Thomas Turley for Grehan(inj).

U-16 Championship

Athlone easily accounted for visitors Mullingar Shamrocks on Thursday last, in Páirc Chiaráin, in the Club 1 Championship. This victory was slightly marred by the dismissal of two Athlone players, one of which could possibly have been merited while, the second, was totally incomprehensible.

U-10 Challenge

St. Brigids came to visit on Sunday morning, to pit their wits and skills against their Athlone counterparts. In what transpired to be a most entertaining affair the visitors won the day by a margin of five points. This game was never short on action, full of honest, wholehearted endeavour, dotted with thrills and spills and a fair share of errors (a big part of the learning experience). All these ingredients helped to enthral the onlooking adults. No doubt a rematch is already being looked forward to. Our thanks to St. Brigids for their usual co-operation in arranging the fixture. The final score read 2-10 to 2-5, not a bad scoring haul for these young players.

Athlone team and panel: Daniel Lynam, Ciaran Prendergast, Alan O'Donovan, Rory O'Sullivan, Callum Tobin, Neil Scally, Eoin O'Reilly, Ray Connellan, Lorna Mulvihill, Aidan Mannion, Aaron Watts, Stephen Malone, John Conlon, Emmet Browne, Ciara Malone, Ian Kiernan and Patrick Melinn.

U-12 Ladies League

Our U-12 girls hosted St. Pauls on Tuesday last where they eventually ran out narrow, but convincing winners in very un-Maylike conditions.

Forthcoming U-11 Competitions

Athlone, St. Brigids, Garrycastle and Roscommon Gaels have combined to stage a four way series of mini blitzes at U-11 level. The first of these is due to take place in Athlone on Saturday May 29th. Further details at a later stage.

Congratulations

Heartiest congrats to Kevin Jordan on his election to the title of GAA Supporter-of the-year, sponsored by Allianz/TG4. Rumour has it that there are lots of arthritic thumbs in the Midlands and beyond, as a result of all that texting. Seriously, well done Kevin, it was well deserved.

Sam visits Páirc Chiaráin

No, not Uncle Sam but son of Sam. The Sam Maguire Cup will repose in Áras Chiaráin on Saturday next, May 15th for a brief sojourn on its travels. Tyrone manager Micky Harte will be present with the famous trophy from 2pm to 4pm approx. All club members, particularly our underage representatives and their parents/guardians, are invited to attend. Don't miss this opportunity to share in a small snippet of GAA history. Sincere thanks to Micky and the Tyrone County Board for this much appreciated gesture. Who knows? We could be welcoming Páidí and the lads this year in a similar situation. An eternal optimist?

Gentle Reminder

Please note that all underage membership subscriptions are now due. Same can be remitted to team managers when convenient but, preferably on or before, May 31st.

Cool Hand Luke

Athlone GAA Golfing Society had their second outing of the season on Saturday last, in Roscommon G.C.. On a balmy May day, all the clean living paid off when, our esteemed Captain, Luke Small captured the spoils with an astounding return of 43 stableford points, all this off a mere handicap of "2 little ducks". Herr Kapitan was followed home by Declan Hynes (on back nine) and Bob Gilhooley, both on 39 points with Tommy Dolan capturing 4th spot with 38 points. The prizes for the front and back nines were won by Eddie Kelly and Brendan Kehoe respectively. A most enjoyable day was had by all thirty participants and we are looking forward to the next outing at Castle Barna G.C. in September.

Club Lotto

The winning numbers drawn for week-ended 6/5/04 were: 8 - 9 - 12 - 19. There was no match four winner and the following, who matched three numbers, each receive EUR 25 : Therese Flannery c/o F. Gaughan, Nancy Gaffey c/o R. Enright, Garvan Gill c/o M. Flynn, Imelda Staunton c/o S. Downes, Noel Sharkey c/o M. Flynn, Paddy Divilly c/o Southern Gaels and Ow

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