Athlone GAA Notes
July 24, 2017SFC Group 1
Athlone 0-15 Killucan 1-14
A stirring comeback fell just short as our senior team were made pay for a poor first half performance when they were defeated by Killucan in their opening senior championship group 1 game, played in Moate on Sunday evening.
After Ryan Gaffey had given Athlone a good start with a point from his first touch in senior championship football, the North Westmeath men took over and kicked five unanswered points, before John Connellan finally got Athlone's second score after 20 minutes. The sides then exchanged points, Athlone's score coming from Mickey Greene, before Killucan's Killian Doyle got what was to prove to be the game's crucial score with a well-taken goal. Two more Killucan points from play made the score 1-8 to 0-3 in their favour at half time and left Athlone with a mountain to climb in the second period.
Athlone started the second half brightly with points from a Ryan Gaffey free and Mickey Greene, but two points in a minute restored the Saffrons' eight-point advantage with 10 minutes of the second half played. Just as it looked like the game might be getting away from them, Athlone stepped up a gear and kicked six points (from Alan Gaughan, Mickey Greene, John Connellan, Ryan Gaffey) to one between the 40th and 50th minutes to reduce the gap to just a goal with 10 minutes still to play. Just when it looked like Athlone had all the momentum, Killucan were able to lift the siege and added two points to put daylight between the sides again. With time running out, Athlone dug deep again and excellent scores from Noel Mulligan, John Egan and John Connellan brought them back to within a point with two minutes to play. Again, however, Killucan were able to break away and another point meant that Athlone needed a goal, but, unfortunately, they were unable to create the necessary opportunity, and Killucan held on to win on a scoreline of 1-14 to 0-15.
The next game for Athlone is against neighbours Garrycastle in Tang on Saturday evening at 7.30pm, in what will be a must-win game for both sides.
Athlone: Conal Sheeran, Eoin Maher, Damien Kelly, Fergal Murray, Noel Mulligan (0-2), Jordan Marshment, Stephen Ward, Alan Gaughan (0-2), Daniel Reid, Dylan Lynch, Paul Bannon, John Egan (0-1), Ryan Gaffey (0-3), Mickey Greene (0-3), John Connellan (0-4) Subs Used: Danny Lynam, Fionn Dowd, David Fagan.
JFC Group 3
Athlone 0-12 Tyrrellspass 2-12
As with the senior team three days later, our junior team were left to rue a slow start when they went down to Tyrrellspass in their opening championship game in Páirc Chiaráin on Thursdayevening.
The home side got off to the worst possible start with the concession of a first minute goal, and despite getting on the board soon after with a Ryan Gaffey '45', the youthful Athlone side found the going difficult in the early stages and Tyrellspass kicked seven points, to just one in reply from Gaffey, to lead by 1-7 to 0-2 midway through the half. To their credit, the Athlone defence tightened up considerably after that and kept their opponents scoreless in the second quarter, while fine points from Diarmuid Martin, another Gaffey '45' and Michael Doolan reduced the gap to five points, 1-7 to 0-5 at the break.
The opening exchanges of the second period were more even, with three further Ryan Gaffey points answered in kind by the visitors, before they struck their second goal to put some daylight between the sides. Athlone battled back with two Gaffey frees and an excellent point from Richie Greene, but they were to find the goal they needed to put Tyrrellspass under pressure. Two late insurance points made the game safe for the visitors, although Athlone had the last word with another free from Ryan Gaffey to leave the final score Athlone 0-12 Tyrrellspass 2-12.
Athlone: Conor Devaney, Patrick McGettigan, Daniel Lynam, Shane Galvin, Eoin Jordan, Fionn Dowd, Robert Teape, Luke Dully, David Fagan, Michael Doolan (0-1), Benny Martin, Colin O'Leary, Ryan Gaffey (0-9), Diarmuid Martin (0-1), Tadhg Prendergast Subs Used: Emmet Collins, Cathal Joyce, Richie Greene (0-1), Sean O'Brien, Eoin Fahey.
Fixtures:-
Wednesday 26th July
Championship Group 2
Athlone Minors v St. Loman's away @ 7pm
Thursday 27th July
Athlone Junior ladies v Moate (2) away at 7pm
Athlone U12 girls v St. Paul's/Delvin in Pairc Chiarain at 7pm
Saturday 29th July
Athlone Seniors v Garrycastle in Tang at 7:30pm
Sunday 30th July
Athlone Minor girls v St. Loman's in Pairc Chiarain at 7pm
Monday 31st July
Athlone U11 boys v Ballycomoyle at away 6:30pm
Athlone U16 boys v Kilbeggan/St. Joseph's away at 7pm
Underage training continues every Sunday at 11.30am. Boys & girls all ages very welcome. Remember gumshields are compulsory for all players from nursery to seniors to training as well as matches or you are not insured. No gumshield, no game.
Club gear will be on sale in the Clubhouse on Sunday from 11.30-1pm or contact Teresa at 087 6799472.
Lotto Results:
There was no winner of this week's €6,450 jackpot.
The numbers drawn were 13-17-27-28.
There were two match three winners.
Butcher Boy c/o Liam Roper.
Eamon Maher c/o Teresa Small.
Next weeks jackpot will be €6,600.
Athlone GAA Bingo:
Bingo takes place in the Clubhouse every Thursday at 8.30pm. Loads of cash prizes. Everyone Welcome.
Congratulations:
Best wishes from all at Athlone GAA Club goes to Declan Byrne and Tracey Kelly on their recent marriage.
