Athlone, a club with 20 senior titles under their belt, are still craving a return to the summit of Westmeath football for the first time since 1998. By Damien Maher. The past year has been a tough one for their senior footballers, once again, as they lost their two opening games in a very competitive Division 1 of the championship. They recovered impressively to win their next two, though, before losing their final group game to neighbours, Garrycastle - a result which prevented them from making the knock-out stages. However, they can take heart from their two-point win over eventual champions, Castledaly in the group stages, while they also produced a fine performance to deny keen rivals, Mullingar Shamrocks. But they will be looking to improve on that in the year ahead. Undoubtedly, Athlone improved well after a rather shaky start, although they were minus some very key players in the early stages of the season. Former manager, Brendan Clarke linked up with Athlone midway through the year and he clearly had an influence as they succeeded in avoiding a relegation battle. Down through the years, Athlone have contributed handsomely to the county's cause and they continued to provide quality footballers last year in the form of Dermot and Paul Bannon, Mickey Greene and Damien Kelly. In fact, Dermot Bannon was a real sensation and but for an unfortunate injury against Dublin in the Leinster Championship, could well have had a great summer for the Lake County. He's surely one to watch in future years. Athlone's 2008 senior football championship campaign began with a clash against early favourites, Tyrrellspass. In the end Tyrrellspass had six points to spare over the Shannonsiders (2-13 to 1-10), but this was a much closer game for long spells than the final scoreline suggests and had Athlone not lost inspirational midfielder, Rory O'Connell with a serious injury, things could have been a whole lot different. At half time, Athlone trailed by seven points (1-2 to 2-6), but with former Westmeath star, Joe Fallon in fine form, they continued to test the defending champions in the second half. Fallon scored 1-5 in a man of the match display and Athlone were within five points of their opponents with as many minutes remaining. Alas, defeat was their lot on the day. The second round saw them face Bunbrosna, a team which had beaten Athlone in 2007 and clearly commanded respect. Played in poor conditions at Cusack Park, the sides were on level terms at half time (0-3 apiece), before a second half goal paved the way for a Bunbrosna victory on a 1-7 to 0-6 scoreline. This was a bitterly disappointing defeat for Athlone, who had a great goal chance before half time, but John Egan's shot was saved by the Bunbrosna goalie. When Joe Fallon brought them on level terms at a critical stage in the second half, it appeared as if Athlone had the momentum, but Mickey Greene was also denied a second half goal and Athlone suffered their second defeat in-a-row. They were facing a serious test of character. Round three took them to near-by Hogan Park, Moate, where a clash against Castledaly awaited. It was conceivably a tougher game than their second round, but this time Athlone produced an improved display to carve out a two-point win, 0-13 to 1-8. The first half was a close affair and Castledaly led by just a solitary point at the interval (1-4 to 0-6), but Athlone had opened up a three-point lead heading into the final couple of minutes as Joe Fallon found the target with some crucial frees. In the end they were strong enough to hold out for a highly significant win. In their fourth championship outing, Athlone travelled to Tang to take on one of their biggest rivals, Mullingar Shamrocks. In what was an absorbing clash, Athlone produced a fine performance and, inspired by Mickey Greene, carved out a precious one-point victory on a scoreline of 2-11 to 2-10. County panellist, Greene scored 1-3 on the evening and in a game that could literally have gone either way, this was a massive contribution. At half time it was Athlone who held sway by two points (1-5 to 0-6) and when Martin Keena scored the Shannonsiders' second goal after the restart; they were well on their way. While they conceded two second half goals, Athlone had enough in reserve to carve out their second championship win and, suddenly, they were back in contention. In the final round, Athlone met near neighbours, Garrycastle and a win here would have put them through to the knock-out stages. However, it was Garrycastle who proved the superior side in this encounter at Hogan Park, Moate, with seven points separating the teams in the finish (1-12 to 0-8). Athlone had the opportunity to score a first half goal, but Joe Fallon's shot from the penalty spot flew over the crossbar and at half time, Garrycastle led by 1-5 to 0-5, with no real indication at this stage that the margin of victory would be so comfortable. The second half saw Garrycastle control matters, though, and they had a commanding margin of victory in the end. However, an Athlone side which had lost its opening two matches had done enough to avoid the pitfalls of a relegation battle and that must surely have provided its share of comfort. U12s impress At underage level, Athlone had no significant silverware, but their under 12 footballers enjoyed an unbeaten run throughout their league. That provides real encouragement for the future. The under 16 side reached the Division 1 league final and their opponents are St. Loman's, Mullingar, but that game had still to be played at the time of writing. The charges of Tommy Lynam and Michael Heavin have clearly made sound progress. "It was meant to be played in Moate but the pitch was frozen and it's debatable whether it will be played at this stage," rues club officer Liam Byrne. The club's under 14 side enjoyed a good run in the Féile competition, while the minor footballers reached the club championship semi-final, where they lost to Caulry. Overall, despite a lack of silverware, it was another busy year for the underage section of the club. New pitch and stand Off the field of play, things continued at a hectic pace for this progressive club. They are now planning to develop a third pitch, which will be sand-based and full floodlit, providing essential facilities for training. This project is due to be finished early in 2009, having been delayed by the wet summer of 2008. The club's next phase of development is the construction of a stand. They are planning to have this finished by 2010, when they will be celebrating 50 years at their current home, Páirc Chiarán. Athlone are clearly a club with a bright future and will continue to be major players in Westmeath GAA. The Athlone team which played Garrycastle in the 2008 senior football championship was: Richie Daly, Paul Mullen, Gary Quinn, Fergal Murray, Philip Allen, Damien Kelly, Paddy Dunning, Paul Bannon, James Tobin, John Stapleton, Tom Stuart-Trainor, Dermot Bannon, Joe Fallon, Martin Keena, Michael Greene. Subs used: Dermot McManus, John Connellan. Tweet

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