It's now 10 years since Athlone last won the Flanagan Cup for the 20th time, making them the standard-bearers in Westmeath club football. It's been a tough decade for them as they watched neighbours Garrycastle win titles and, indeed, Castledaly reach county finals, while they were forced to concentrate on development. By Damien Maher. However, this year they are certain to be buoyed up by that 10-year gap and, with Jack Murray back at the helm, will be out to produce an improved display in the senior football championship. Athlone are certain to be as determined as ever to win the title and, despite massive competition with rugby and soccer in the expanding south Westmeath town, they have managed to remain a force, which is a tribute to hard working club officers, volunteers and coaches. With their senior footballers failing to reach the knock-out stages of the championship in what can only be described as a disappointing campaign, one of the highlights for Athlone in 2007 will undoubtedly be the success of their minor footballers in the Division 2 championship. Having defeated a strong Downs side in the semi-final, Athlone took on Ballynacargy under lights at Tubberclair late in the year and, in a cracking contest, emerged with a four points victory (3-15 to 4-8). There were many twists and turns to what was a roller-coaster final, but a formidable Athlone side simply wouldn't hear tell of defeat and responded every time to Ballynacargy's valiant efforts. When their second half lead of four points was whittled away by a tigerish Ballynacargy side, who drew level with three minutes remaining, Athlone faced a real test of character. Athlone, who were trained by All-Ireland minor medallist, Fergal Murray, and Liam Downes, trailed by a solitary point at half time (0-8 to 2-3) having conceded two first half goals, but they produced a brilliant second half display to score three goals of their own and record a deserved victory. Jaydean Nicell, Adam Ward and Killian O'Driscoll scored the all important goals for the Athlone side and it was a delighted Tom Dowling who accepted the trophy from Minor Board Chairman, Sean Sheridan, at the end of a pulsating final. "It was a great win for Athlone and an important one for the development of football in the club," admits Liam Byrne, who worked as the coordinator for the minor footballers. "We set out at the start of the year to win the championship and it was certainly the highlight of the year for us at underage level. "Fergal Murray and Liam Downes had the team excellently prepared and they produced a great second half performance, which is the mark of a good team. A lot of these lads will be moving on to under 21 and to senior level, so it was important for Athlone that they got a taste of success," he added. The successful Athlone team was: Cormac McManus; Kevin Piggott, Aidan O'Dea, Mark McBride; David Fagan, Eoin Jordan, Sean Dowling; Tom Egan, Adam Ward; John Egan, Jack Keegan, Killian O'Driscoll; Ian Byrne, Darren Kelly, Jaydean Nicell. Subs used: Noel Mulligan, Shane Kilroy Glynn, Brendan Fagan, Padraic McCaul. Disappointing senior championship campaign But while minor success was certainly gratifying, a big club like Athlone will always crave for more titles at senior level. Their senior football championship campaign of '07 began when they took on Bunbrosna at Rochfortbridge in May. It was a game Athlone, with their vastly experienced side, were expected to win, but in the first real shock of the championship, Bunbrosna turned the tables with an eye-catching display to beat Athlone by six points (1-12 to 0-9). Athlone conceded an early goal and trailed by six points at half time, but with the advantage of a strong wind for the second period, Athlone had no real need to panic. However, they failed to make sufficient use of the elements and registered only seven second half points (the same as Bun), which meant they were off to a losing start. The second round saw Athlone take on south Westmeath neighbours, Tubberclair, in a bruising encounter at Tang GAA grounds. Athlone needed a winning performance and they duly delivered one as they had six points to spare over their keen rivals (0-13 to 0-7). In truth, Athlone were poised for victory when they led at half time by 0-5 to 0-3 having played against a strong breeze in the opening half and they produced a strong finish to the match to record a resounding victory. Suddenly, their championship campaign looked back on track. It was back to Tang for round three as Athlone met another of their southern rivals, Castledaly. A string of missed opportunities left Athlone licking their wounds here, though, as Castledaly had three points to spare at the final whistle, 0-10 to 0-7. Athlone were now under serious pressure ahead of their final two group games. It was late in July when Athlone met Kinnegad in round four and, after a keenly contested encounter, the sides proved inseparable. The draw (1-9 to 0-12) took some pressure of Athlone, but they were disappointed not to have built on an early Dermot Bannon goal. It was level at half time, though,(1-4 to 0-7) and when the final whistle sounded the teams were still deadlocked. In their final senior championship outing of the year, Athlone took on their biggest rivals, Garrycastle, in a game they badly needed to win. They were well in contention, too, until the 14th minute of the second half when Garrycastle swooped for their second goal and, eventually, ran out four-point winners (2-7 to 1-6). Athlone had Rory O'Connell sent off in the match in what was a controversial incident and they played the last 24 minutes with 14 men. In injury time, Dermot Bannon was also sent off, making for a forgettable evening all round. Fortunately for Athlone, they finished ahead of Tubberclair in the group and avoided a relegation battle. Apart from their minor success, Athlone are continuing to work hard at underage level, while there were some great wins for their ladies footballers at under 12 and under 14 levels. Developments continue at Athlone's impressive GAA grounds, Pairc Chiaran, which has hosted many inter county games in the past. It's a fully floodlit facility, which is important in the modern era, and their training facilities have been developed to cater for all underage and adult players. Elsewhere, well known Athlone referee, Peter Daly, was finally rewarded for his efforts in 2007 when he as appointed to take charge of the Westmeath senior football championship final. It was a great honour for the inter county official and his umpires, Seamus Downes, Albert Lowry, Gerard Carroll and John Lennon, and they handled the responsibility with admirable aplomb. One of the most successful clubs in the history of Westmeath GAA, it would be foolish to write off Athlone and they're sure to be back as a force in senior football in years to come. The Athlone side which played Garrycastle in their final game of the '07 senior football championship was: Richie Daly; James Kilroy, Paul Mullin, Fergal Murray; Damien Kelly, Thomas Turley, Tom Stuart-Trainor; Rory O'Connell, Aidan St. John; John Egan, John Molloy, Dermot Bannon; Joe Fallon, Eoin Flaherty, John Connellan. Subs used: Enda Haughey, Kevin Macken, Padraig Fogarty. Tweet

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