Athlone club notes
August 13, 2018Senior Football Championship Group 1:
Athlone 1-10 St Loman's 2-9
An excellent performance from our seniors wasn't enough as they fell to a two point defeat to defending champions St Loman's of Mullingar in the SFC Round 2 game played in Hogan Park, Moate. Fine points from play from Ryan Gaffey, Kieran Colclough and John Connellan had Athlone level 0-3 apiece after an evenly matched opening quarter, but they suffered a cruel blow when Conor Devaney pulled off a superb save from a close range effort only for the ball to ricochet to the net off a covering defender. Athlone responded well with points from Ryan Gaffey and Jack Quinn, but suffered another setback when a second Loman's goal put five points between them as half-time approached. A John Stapleton point, followed by a John Connellan free again reduced the deficit and Athlone were unlucky not to go in level at the break when Ryan Gaffey saw his seemingly goal-bound effort hit the side netting.
The light blues did draw level with a goal from a brilliant first time volley from Kieran Colclough early in the second half, and they looked to have the initiative when a St Loman's defender received a straight red card for dissent for arguing that the ball had been out of play prior to Colcough's strike. Ryan Gaffey's third point put Athlone ahead and it looked like the reigning champions were in trouble, but they drew on all their experience to regroup and two quick frees restored their advantage. They then held Athlone scoreless for the next 20 minutes while adding a further three points of their own to lead by four as the game entered its closing stages. Athlone's hopes were dealt a further blow when substitute Mickey Greene also received a straight red for an off the ball incident, but to their credit they refused to throw in the towel and further scores from John Stapleton and Jordan Marshment left just two points between them as the game entered injury time. An incisive move in search of what would've been the winning goal was halted by cynical foul, which meant that Athlone had to score a three-pointer direct from the subsequent free, but John Connellan's rising effort went wide off a post to leave the Mullingar men victorious on a scoreline of 2-9 to 1-10.
Next up for Athlone is a crucial game against Tyrrellspass in Moate next Saturday evening, August 18th, at 7.15pm.
Athlone: Conor Devaney, Stephen Ward, Matthew Darling, Jordan Marshment (0-1), Shane Allen, Noel Mulligan, James Finlass, Alan Gaughan, Darren Magee, Kieran Colclough (1-1), John Stapleton (0-2), Daniel Reid, Ryan Gaffey (0-3), Jack Quinn (0-1), John Connellan (0-2) Subs Used: Tom Egan, Paul Bannon, Mickey Greene, Diarmuid Martin.
Westmeath LGFA League Division 4 Final
Athlone 3-6 Mullingar Shamrocks 1-15
Hard luck to our ladies team who were unlucky to be defeated in the Division 4 League final for the second year in a row. Athlone led by two points at the break, 2-4 to 1-5, but, despite a third Athlone goal, a powerful second half performance from Shamrocks saw them turn the deficit around to prevail by three points.
Minor Boys' Division 1 Championship Quarter-Final:
Athlone 3-8 Coralstown-Kinnegad 4-6
Our defending champion minor boys exited the Championship at the quarter-final stage when they paid the price for a disappointing first half performance in going down to Coralstown-Kinnegad in Kinnegad on Thursday evening. Trailing by 3-4 to 0-5 at half-time, Athlone put in a much improved second half performance, but the comeback fell agonisingly short as the home side held on to win by the minimum, with Athlone just unable to grab a deserved equaliser. Thanks to the management team of Alan Mullen, Cathal Joyce and Aidan St John for all the work they put in with the lads throughout the year.
Underage Training and Club Gear
Underage training for boys and girls all ages continues Sunday at 11.30am. Come along to Pairc Chiarain on Sunday or for any queries contact Joe Fallon at 086 8846731. #fun #fitness #friendship. New Players always welcome. There will also be a limited supply of jerseys, shorts, socks, half zip training tops, beanie hats and gear bags on sale between 11.30am-1pm in the Clubhouse on Sunday.
Fixtures
Wednesday 15th August
U12 boys are at home to Shandonagh at 7.00pm
U14 girls are at home to Kilbeggan/St Josephs at 7.00 or 7.30pm, throw-in tba.
Gaelic Masters semi-final between Galway and Roscommon at 7.45pm
Thursday 16th August
U12 girls are away to St. Mary's in league championship division B at 7.00pm
U14 boys are at home to St. Loman's in league championship division 1 at 7.00pm
Friday 17th August
Tubberclair play Moate All-Whites in the Intermediate Championship in Páirc Chiaráin at 7:45pm - note the later start time than originally scheduled.
Saturday 18th August
SFC Group 1: Athlone v. Tyrrellspass, Moate at 7:15pm
Sunday 19th August
Ladies Junior Championship Group B: Athlone v. Shandonagh in Páirc Chiaráin at 12.00pm
Monday 20th August
U11 boys are at home to Garrycastle in Go Games league at 6:30pm
Tuesday 21st August
U14 girls are away to The Downs in league championship division B at 7pm
U8 boys will be playing in Cusack Park, further details to follow
Lotto Results:
There was no winner of this week's €6,750 jackpot.
The numbers drawn were 1-8-14-18
There were 2 match 3 winners
Mary Moore c/o M Daly
Mags Daly c/o M Daly
Next week's jackpot will be €6,900
Play online at www.athlone.gaa.ie
Bingo:
Bingo takes place in the Clubhouse every Thursday at 8.30pm. Loads of cash prizes. Everyone Welcome.
Athlone GAA Golfing Society:
The Captain's Prize was held at Athlone Golf Club on Saturday last.
There was a great turnout of 28 golfers for our popular Captain Matt Scally.
The following were the prizewinners.
1st Prize: P.J.Lenehan(40pts).
2nd Prize: Eddie Kelly(39pts).
3rd Prize: Tommy Dolan(39pts).
4th Prize: Olive Dolan(36pts).
5th Prize: Lily O`Sullivan(35pts).
Front Nine: Ray Joyce(21pts).
Back Nine: Camilla Fitzgibbon(18pts).
Nearest the Pin: Ray Joyce.
Vote of Sympathy:
The Gavin Family, Sli an Aifrinn.
The Hynes Family, The Elms.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anam.
