Come 2008, it will be 10 years since Athlone last won the Flanagan Cup and, not surprisingly, there is a strong desire in the south Westmeath stronghold to end that losing streak. Maroon and White spoke to Chairman, Niall Lynch, about 2006 and the challenges that lie ahead. For staunch GAA people in Athlone, it's surely hard to comprehend that the most successful club in the history of Westmeath has been somewhat 'frozen out' over the last decade. Not since their thrilling 3-10 to 3-8 victory over Coralstown/Kinnegad in 1998 have the Shannonsiders brought home the most coveted prize in Westmeath football, but there is a clear determination to end that barren spell sooner rather than later. The new format meant that Athlone only enjoyed three senior football championship games in 2006. Victory over Coralstown/Kinnegad sent them into the winners' section, where they were drawn in the dreaded 'group of death' against Tyrrellspass and Garrycastle. Minus their ever influential midfielder, Rory O'Connell, who was injured early in the season, Athlone were rather vulnerable and lost both games against two of the county's big guns. While their fist round victory (under the new format) meant they were safe from the clutches of relegation, it still ranks as a disappointing year for Athlone. "By our standards, going on the great tradition here in Athlone, it wasn't good enough at all. It will be 10 years next year since Athlone last won a senior title and that's simply too long for a club with 20 championships to their name," admits Chairman, Niall Lynch. Their disappointing showing meant the end of the road for manager, Finbar Egan. Athlone will have a brand new, and indeed formidable management team for 2007, including former Westmeath great, Aiden Collins. The former centre back power house links up with new trainer, Jack Murray, and Denis O'Sullivan, and the chairman is confident this will bring a renewed drive from everyone. Furthermore, Rory O'Connell, now retired from inter county football, is Athlone's new captain for the year ahead and he's certain to be a real driving force on the field of play as the southerners attempt to get back to the top. "This year we have completely revamped our management team. Jack Murray is the trainer and Aiden Collins joins him as a selector. Aiden is a great guy and is certain to bring a lot of presence to the dressing room. Denis O'Sullivan, who's been heavily involved at underage level, is also a selector. He's an uncle of Kerry's Darren O'Sullivan and you can't get a much better pedigree than that," explains Lynch. Back to '06 and the senior championship began for Finbar Egan's side in June when they faced Coralstown/Kinnegad in the first round of the new-style competition. Athlone were slow out of the blocks and managed just three first half points as they trailed their opponents at the interval, 0-3 to 0-5. However, the second half saw a more confident performance as the full forward line of Johnny Molloy, Martin Keena and Joe Fallon really got on top, scoring all but one point of the victors' winning tally. Despite the concession of an early second half goal, Athlone soon took command and ran out deserving four-point winners, 0-14 to 1-7. Athlone's second outing in the senior football championship came in early July against eventual champions, Tyrrellspass. Right from the start it was clear that the southerners were not firing on all cylinders and the concession of a somewhat controversial penalty before half time meant they were facing a seven points deficit at the interval, 0-2 to 1-6. The absence of Rory O'Connell from midfield presented major problems for Athlone, who were simply unable to recover from that dismal first half showing. Adding to Athlone's woe was the fact that Joe Fallon was forced off injured early in this match and, while they had the talented John Connellan to replace him, Fallon's loss was a detrimental blow. Five second half points was all Athlone could muster on a forgettable evening, while Tyrrellspass kicked a further eight, leaving them emphatic 10-point winners at the final whistle. The second game in the winners' section pitted Athlone against rivals, Garrycastle. In a tension filled first half, Athlone gave as good as they got and trailed by just a couple of points at half time, 0-8 to 1-3. Indeed they could have been in a much healthier position as Tom Stuart-Trainor goaled early on and Athlone twice held leads of two points, before Garrycastle finished the half with a flourish. It remained a tit-for-tat battle in the second half before Garrycastle sealed victory with a late goal. Only moments beforehand, however, Athlone had the opportunity to get back within a score of their vaunted neighbours. That defeat brought Athlone's championship campaign to an end for another year. At underage level, Athlone have been working hard too and that brought them major reward in January of '06 when they captured the 2005 U21 football championship. Despite being major underdogs, they shocked Mullingar Shamrocks to win that title for the first time in nine years. "It was a great success, no doubt about that. A fantastic victory, made possible by a fine team performance, and we came from nowhere to win it really," beamed Lynch. "It's a very important competition, but is being neglected here in Westmeath," he adds. For the under 21 management team of Nigel Johnson and Sean Connell (brother of Dublin star, Senan), it represented a fine achievement too. And since Athlone have 11 of that championship winning side available to them for the '06 championship, they'll be confident of going close to retaining the title. At minor level, with Philip Allen, Michael Heavin and Rory Byrne at the helm, Athlone reached the league final, while also managing to get to the last four in the championship before losing to Mullingar Shamrocks. Further down the line, Athlone report excellent progress at under eight, under 10 and U12 levels, important for ensuring a healthy future. "We have a good healthy rivalry with Garrycastle and it's great for keeping us on our toes. We managed to beat them at under 10 level, which is a great barometer," opines the chairman. Off the field of play, things are just as hectic. Athlone are planing a new underage training pitch, which will be fully floodlit, and they are hoping to secure lotto funding for same. They are delighted with the sponsorship deal made with I.O. Systems, with Niall Lynch describing Managing Director, Fergal Lynam, as being of great GAA pedigree. They have also secured the support of Cempo Interiors as their minor sponsors, and with so much sporting competition in Athlone nowadays, this is very important. Niall Lynch is entering his second year as Chairman, while Nigel Johnson is Secretary, Rory Byrne is Vice-Chairman (and also underage Chairman), and Andrew O'Sullivan is Treasurer. "The real barometer is how many championships you can win. It's more competitive and daunting for a club like Athlone nowadays, particularly with the emergence of amalgamation teams, and the constant competition with soccer and rugby. But we remain determined to succeed," concludes the Chairman. Tweet

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