The Athlone GAA organised, and Newsfare sponsored U-16 football annual tournament was launched on Friday night, last, in Aras Chiarain. As was the case last year, the competition will feature eight teams drawn in two groups of four. This year’s entry is representative of four counties with Athlone, Garrycastle and Mullingar Shamrocks representing Westmeath, St. Brigids, Padraig Pearses and Roscommon Gaels flying the flag for Roscommon, while Ballymahon and Mountbellew are the ambassadors of Longford and Galway respectively.

This prestigious tournament, now in its sixth year, has traditionally featured football of the highest quality down through the years. Epic battles have been fought, gripping spectacles of football have been witnessed and all in the name of everything that is good about Gaelic Football. Coming so early on the calendar, this competition is an invaluable help to the participating clubs in preparing for their respective County Championships, giving mentors and players alike, the opportunity of testing their mettle against the cream of the Midlands.

This year’s group draw is as follows:

Group A – Athlone, Mountbellew, Padraig Pearses and Roscommon Gaels.

Group B – Ballymahon, Garrycastle, Mullingar Shamrocks and St. Brigids.

Group matches are scheduled for Sundays 16th & 23rd Feb. and 2nd March, while the semi-finals are fixed for the weekend of March 8th/9th and the final is pencilled in for St. Patrick’s weekend.

All in Athlone GAA club are indebted to Dermot and Mary Fox, Newsfare, Golden Island Shopping Centre, Athlone for their continued sponsorship, and we wish all participating teams the best of luck in their forthcoming matches.

Pictured at the launch of the 2003 Newsfare Tournament are: l to r Nigel Johnson, Declan O’Flaherty and Rory Byrne of Athlone GAA Club with Mr. Dermot Fox (sponsor).

At the launch of the 2003 Newsfare Tournament were; l to Kieran Hughes and Declan Molloy (both Roscommon Gaels), Dermot Fox (Sponsor) and John Fagan and John Henson (both Garrycastle).

At the launch of the 2003 Newsfare Tournament are some members of Athlone GAA Minor Board : Back row (l to r): Paul Prendergast, Maeve McBride, Margaret Mulvihill, Eamon Maher, Fiona Gaughan, Caitriona and Danny O’Neill. Front row (l to r): Brian Mulvihill, Rory Byrne, Mary Connellan, Nigel Johnson and Liam Byrne, pictured with Mr. Dermot Fox (sponsor).

Pictured at the launch of the 2003 Newsfare Tournament are: l to r: Michael Dolphin (Padraig Pearses), John Stack (St. Brigids), Dermot Fox (Sponsor), Sean Sheridan (Westmeath Minor Board) and John Byrne (Padraig Pearses).