Under 20 Championship Semi-Final

Athlone 2-9 The Downs 1-10

Our U20s qualified for the first Westmeath Under 20 Final when they travelled to The Downs on Saturdy afternoon to take on a very strong home side in the semi-final and came away with a deserved win after a thrilling encounter played in perfect conditions.

 

Starting with the aid of the wind, Athlone controlled possession in the early stages, and led by 0-2 to 0-0 after ten minutes, through points from Stephen O'Connor and a Benny Martin free, although the lead should've been greater with the Athlone attack guilty of some bad wides.  After The Downs had gotten themselves on the board from a free, Diarmuid Martin restored Athlone's two-point advantage, but another Downs score left only a point between the sides as half-time approached, with Athlone missing several opportunities to add to their total with some poor shot selection and wayward finishing.  They did find their shooting boots just before the break with three points in rapid succession from Eamon Martin, Josh Beaumont and Daniel Reid putting some daylight between the teams, although The Downs did have the final word of the half through another pointed free.  In fact, Athlone were fortunate that the teams didn't go in level at the break as it took a crucial interception from James Finlass deep into stoppage time to deny the home side a seemingly certain goal and to leave the half-time score 0-6 to 0-3 in Athlone's favour.

 

Now playing with the aid of the elements, the hosts came flying out of the blocks in the second half and it took them only a minute to draw themselves level with a goal from a rebound after John Duddy had made an excellent save.  It looked like Athlone would rue those first half misses when they fell behind for the first time soon after to a point from play, but to their credit, they dug deep and regained their lead when Kieran Colclough side-footed a loose ball to the net for their opening goal.  Again, however the home side fought back with two points made it a draw game and it looked like they were about to go back ahead, until Athlone's youngest player, Eamon Martin, made a crucial interception to launch a counterattack that he himself finished with a well-taken point.  This inspirational score gave the visitors a huge boost and another member of the Martin clan, Benny, put them two points ahead, before Kieran Colclough added his second goal with another cool finish.  However, any hopes that this would mean the end of The Downs challenge were dashed when they fought back with three quickfire points of their own to reduce the gap back to just two with 10 minutes still to play.  Athlone were now on the backfoot but superb defensive work prevented the home side from reducing the deficit even further and Josh Beaumont lifted the siege with an important point on the break.   The Downs increased the pressure as they went looking for the equalising goal but, despite some nervous moments, the Athlone defence held firm, except for conceding a point from a free with two minutes left.  This meant that a goal would've knocked Athlone out, but superb disciplined defending from the entire team meant that The Downs were unable to fashion the necessary chance, and when the final whistle sounded after a nerve wracking four minutes of injury time, Athlone had held on to win a thriller on a scoreline of 2-9 to 1-10.

 

Athlone now advance to the inaugural Under 20 Final against Rosemount-Castledaly which is to be played in Cusack Park next Sunday, November 25th in Cusack Park at 2pm and we ask that all supporters of the club come out and support the lads in this hugely important fixture.

 

Athlone:  John Duddy, Joe Devins, James Finlass, Paddy Ryan, Donagh Prendergast, Diarmuid Martin, Paddy McGettigan, Shane Allen, Daniel Reid (0-1), Kieran Colclough (2-0), Eamon Martin (0-2), Sean Dowd (0-1), Josh Beaumont (0-2), Stephen O'Connor (0-1), Benny Martin (0-2) Subs Used:  Niall Doolan, Mark Egan, Conor Rushe, Enda Daly.

 

 

Division 6B Playoff

 

Our Junior B team were scheduled to play a playoff against neighbours Garrycastle at 11.30am on Sunday morning for a place in the Division 6B final but, unfortunately, as this team had been backboned by members of our Under 20 panel who had won an intense and energy-sapping semi-final the previous afternoon, we were unable to fulfil the fixture due to concerns over player welfare.  It was felt that it was unfair to ask these players to tog out again less than 20 hours after such a tough game, especially with the Under 20 final scheduled for next weekend and several players also due to be involved in colleges' championship matches in midweek.  This was a disappointing end to what had been a good debut season for our third team and we hope all the players who featured on it throughout the year make themselves available again in 2019.  That said, we also need some more sensible scheduling from the county board, as there is no need for a Junior B league, featuring only seven teams and which could hardly have been delayed due to players having intercounty commitments in the summer, to be still ongoing in mid-November.  Apologies to any supporters who didn't receive prior notification that the game had been cancelled.

 

Lotto Results:

There was no winner of this weeks €1,650 jackpot.

The numbers drawn were 6-8-15-26

There was 1 match three winner.

Michelle Somers c/o Mags Daly

Next weeks jackpot will be €1,800.

 

End of Year Dinner Dance

We had a very successful and enjoyable night in Shamrock Lodge on Friday night at our End of Year Dinner Dance/Reunion. Thanks to Alan McCaul and all the staff in the Shamrock Lodge for their wonderful hospitality and as always to our fantastic Photographer Padraig Devaney. See Athlone GAA Official facebook page for photos.

 

Athlone GAA AGM

Our AGM takes place on Friday, 7th December at 8pm in Aras Chiarain.  All members aged 18+ are invited to attend. 

 

Christmas Raffle: Draw takes place in the Sheraton Hotel on 23rd December.  1st prize Exotic Getaway + €500 towards cost of flights, 2nd Spa Day for 2 in the Sheraton, 3rd Dinner for 2 in La Provence, 4th Large Christmas Hamper 5th All-4 One Voucher. Tickets €5 or 3 for €10.  Please support the raffle as all funds go directly in running the Club.

 

New beanie hats are now in and selling fast, reserve yours now before the final.  Contact Teresa at 087 6799472

 

Bingo:

Bingo takes place in the Clubhouse every Thursday at 8.30pm. Loads of cash prizes. Everyone Welcome.

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