U14 Boys
U14 Boys Féile Peile na nÓg 2018:
Our U14 Boys have qualified for the Westmeath Division 2 Féile Peile na nÓg final to be played next Saturday in Mullingar. The draw for the group stages meant the lads were based away in Garrycastle where they were pitted against the hosts and St. Mary's Rochfortbridge. The first game was against St Mary's Rochfortbridge, who had lost to Garrycastle in the first game. From the first whistle to the last, the Athlone boys were excellent and ran at the opposition in waves.  A combination of tiredness and the defeat in the first game left the Rochfortbridge boys at a distinct disadvantage but we cannot take anything away from the boys in blue as they deservedly took the honours and set up a winner takes all match against their near neighbours. Despite having to play straight after the win over Rochfortbridge, the lads won the throw in and never looked back showing excellent levels of skill and application. Some wayward shooting up front left only three points between the sides at the short whistle but the lads really upped the ante in the second half and tacked on some lovely scores to take the spoils and set up a trip to Moate that evening for the quarter final. Unfortunately, a nightmare start had the boys facing an uphill task as they trailed by eight points at half time. However, they threw off the shackles in the second half and really stretched their opponents and but for some bad luck in front of goal could have really worried the All Whites but the hosts ran out very worthy winners, as they had in our earlier League match and so they headed for the Division 1 semi-final while Athlone headed to the Division 2 version v Caulry. Unfortunately, the torrential rain on Sunday left the pitches unplayable and so pushed the semi final out to Monday evening. While the pitch was very soft underfoot, the Athlone made light of the conditions and gave, by far, their best display of the year and from 1 to 23 put in a superb display to qualify for the Division 2 Final against Tyrrellspass.

U14 League:
The busiest team in Athlone GAA is definitely the U14 Boys. To date, they have played three rounds of the League as well as four Féile matches (not to mention four games in the Leinster U13 Cross County competition).
The first league match saw us drawn away against a formidable Moate All Whites outfit. On a night of torrential rain, the Moate lads hit the ground running and overpowered the Athlone boys and had a very healthy lead at half time. A much-improved performance in the second half limited the damage but there was no doubt about the outcome of the game from a long way out. A chastening night for our lads on their first night out but there is no disgrace in being beaten by a better side and the Moate side are a fine side.

The second round of the League saw us play a fancied Coralstown/Kinnegad side in Pairc Chiarain. On a chilly Spring evening, the Athlone boys threw everything they had at the visitors and put in an excellent shift in the first half and managed to get to half time leading by three. However, the well drilled visitors upped the ante in the second half and while the Athlone lads never dropped their heads, the physicality of the bigger Coralstown/Kinnegad team, coupled with excellent support running saw them pull away in the late stages. Once again, despite the defeat, the Athlone mentors were more than happy with their charges as they left nothing in the pitch.

The third round of the League saw us drawn away to Killucan on Sunday morning last. Unfortunately, due to holidays and injury, only 17 players made the trip. Despite playing with a very strong wind in the first half, the Athlone lads were very slow to get going and found themselves five points down after ten minutes. Slowly but surely, they edged their way in to the game and managed to sneak in front at half time. Facing in to the wind for the second half, the lads put their heads down and produced a much-improved display showing excellent battling qualities and a determined rear-guard action to repel the hosts and moved the ball forward very cleverly to create goal chances which were the difference between the teams at the long whistle. So, one win and two losses are the statistics but there is a growing sense of confidence in this hard-working bunch that augurs well for the future.

The U14 panel for 2018 is: Alban Cepi, Brian Collins, Conor Devins, Pierce Edmundson, Luke Farrell, Cian Geary, Eoin Hardiman, Toby Heavey, Josh Kenny, Johnny Martin, Donagh McCormack, Dano McMonagle, Owen McNamara, Kian Mitchell, Luke O'Connell, Oisin O'Sullivan, Daniel Omukoro, Piaras Rohan, Jason Rushe, Tom Sheridan, Alan Sweeney, Niall Tallon, Jason Ukatu, Luke Whelan and Brandon White.

Minor Medal Presentation:
Our county champion 2017 minor boys' team also receiving their medals on the night so everybody is welcome to what promises to be a great night in the club.

Cake Sale:
Thanks to everyone who  supported our cake sale last Sunday to raise much needed funds for underage football. 

Underage Football:
Underage training continues every Sunday at 11.30am.  New players all ages and abilities very welcome  Come along to Pairc Chiarain on Sunday or for any queries contact Joe Fallon at 086 8846731. #fun #fitness #friendship

Registration for all members also takes place in the Clubhouse on Sunday between 11am-1pm or you can register online at www.athlone.gaa.ie   Any queries contact Teresa Small, Registrar at 087 6799472.

Club Gear:
There will be limited supply of jerseys, shorts, socks, half zip training tops, beanie hats and gear bags on sale between 11am-1pm.  We will also be taking orders for new stock.

Fixtures
Wednesday 18th April
Minors v Maryland/Tang in Division 1 league at 7pm

Thursday 19th April
U12 girls v Moate in league group 3 at 7pm

Saturday 21st April
U14 Boys v Tyrellspass in Division 2 Féile Final at 1pm, venue to be advised
U8 boys will be hosting Lilliput Gaels, Mullingar and Kilbeggan in a blitz starting at 11 o'clock to 12:30

Sunday 22nd April
U14 boys will be playing in the league, further details to follow

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