ACFL Division 1:
Athlone 3-7  The Downs 1-8
Our seniors kept their hopes of avoiding relegation from Division 1 of the All-County league when they defeated The Downs in a damp Páirc Chiaráin on Friday evening.  The win leaves Athlone two points behind Shandonagh in the table with one round of fixtures to play, with Athlone due to travel to Shandonagh for their last game, which is scheduled for the weekend of June 9th.

A bright start had Athlone leading by 0-3 to 0-1 through points from Ryan Gaffey, Shane Allen and a Richie Greene free, and things got better when Jordan Marshment was fouled as he burst through on goal for a penalty that was converted by Kieran Colclough.  The Downs responded well to this setback, however, and outscored the home side by four points to one in the second quarter, with Athlone’s only score in this period coming from wing-back Eoin Maher, to leave just two points between the sides at the break, 1-4 to 0-5 in Athlone’s favour.

The visitors started the second half as they had ended the first and brought themselves level with two scores from play, although Richie Greene put Athlone back in front almost immediately with a super score.  It looked good for the hosts when Ryan Gaffey followed this up with this side’s second goal, when he slotted home the rebound after a Shane Allen shot had been saved, but The Downs replied with a goal of their own to leave just the minimum between the sides again.  Fortunately, Athlone were able to utilise a strong subs’ bench in the second half and it was one of these, Sean Dowd, who doubled their lead with an excellent point from distance, before he combined with another sub, Jack Quinn, to bundle home the third goal from close range and give his side some breathing space.  A fisted point from Quinn, after he had worked hard to create the opportunity for himself, put Athlone two goals to the good with 10 minutes remaining.  The Downs applied plenty of pressure in the closing stages as they tried to salvage something from the game, but a resolute Athlone defence restricted them to only one further point, as Athlone held for their second win of the campaign on a scoreline of 3-7 to 1-8.

Athlone:  Paul Bannon, Daniel Lynam, Matthew Darling, James Finlass, Eoin Maher (0-1), Diarmuid Martin, Fergal Murray, Jordan Marshment, Danny Reid, Ryan Gaffey (1-1), Shane Allen (0-1), Mark Egan, Richie Greene (0-2), Kieran Colclough (1-0), Donagh Prendergast Subs Used:  Damien Kelly, Josh Beaumont, Sean Dowd (1-1), John Stapleton, Jack Quinn (0-1).

ACFL Division 3:
Athlone 2-14 Killucan 3-10
Our Division 3 team made it two weekend wins for our men’s teams when they pipped Killucan in an exciting contest played in Páirc Chiaráin on Saturday evening.  Despite missing some regulars due to hurling commitments, this was Killucan’s senior team so it was an excellent win for a young Athlone, many of whom had featured against The Downs 24 hours earlier.

Conor Rushe marked his adult debut for the club by opening the scoring with a neatly-taken point, but Killucan responded with a goal and quickly added three frees to open up an early five-point lead.  At this stage, it looked like it would be a long night for the Athlone lads, but Rushe brought them back into the game with a nice solo score, before three superb points from Benny Martin, in his first appearance of the year, reduced the gap to the minimum.  A Richie Greene free brought Athlone level, and a long-distance Shane Allen effort looked like giving the home side a surprise half-time lead, but they conceded another soft goal straight from the subsequent kick-out to trail by 2-3 to 0-7 at the break.

Two more long-range Shane Allen scores, either side of a Killucan free, brought Athlone back to within a point, and they regained the lead when Mark Egan fisted to the net from close range to finish off a brilliant team move.  This lead didn’t last long, however, as the visitors replied with a pointed free, followed by their third goal, to restore their two-point advantage.  Fortunately, as in the Division 1 game on Friday night, Athlone were able to bring in quality replacements from the bench, which helped as Killucan tired.  A brace of Richie Greene frees levelled things up again, and despite briefly falling behind to another Killucan point, further scores from Martin, Greene and Andy Lynam put Athlone two points ahead, 1-14 to 3-6, as the game entered its closing stages.  Killucan fought back with to level things up with a few minutes to play, but when Athlone struck for their second goal, a powerful finish from Darren Costello after another great move, it looked like they had done enough to earn their first win of the campaign.  The visitors had other ideas though and fought back with two very late points, before earning the chance to snatch a draw when they won a free from the 45 with was to be the last kick of the game.  Luckily for the hosts, this free dropped short meaning Athlone hung to win their first game of the campaign by the narrowest of margins, 2-14 to 3-10.

Athlone:  Conor Devaney, Shane Galvin, James Finlass, Daniel Lynam, Andy Lynam (0-1), Fergal Murray, Niall Doolan, David Fagan, Patrick Munnelly, Mark Egan (1-0), Shane Allen (0-3), Conor Rushe (0-2), Richie Greene (0-4), Benny Martin (0-4), Donagh Prendergast Subs Used:  Declan Byrne, Eoin Maher, Kieran Colclough, Darren Costello (1-0).


U14 Division 1 – 
Athlone 5-19 v Mullingar Shamrocks 4-10
Our u14s produced their best performance of the year to win an enthralling game of football in Mullingar. Athlone got off to a blistering start with a goal inside 10 seconds. However Shamrocks hit back and on the 15 minute mark were 4 points to the good. Athlone finished the half strong and the sides were deadlocked at 3-05 to 2-08 at half time. Just like the first half Athlone hit the back of the net straight from the throw in. The game was tightly contested throughout and they were some great battles all over the field. Some fantastic point scoring edged Athlone in front at the midway mark of the second half and they never looked back finishing the game very strong. This was a super team effort and sets them up with a final game v Millmore, a win will secure a Division 1 final place. A big thanks to all the parents and familes who travelled over and gave lifts.  

U12 Go Games
Our U12’s Boys played Cill Óige in Castledaly on Wednesday the 15th. Considering the heat of the evening both teams played some really good free flowing football.
Our team showed great determination and support for each other (from Conor Lough in goals right up to the forward line) and competed for each ball right to the final whistle.
Our defence were tenacious in the tackle and Rory McMickan and Adam Casey were excellent throughout.
Our attack was very dangerous when in front of goal and took their points with great accuracy.

The team line up was as follows:  Conor Lough, Aaron Hardiman, Rory Mcmickan, Adam Casey, Philip Heavey, Kyle Mahon, Darragh Lough, Jack Larkin, Daniel Tierney, Cillian Donlon, Gary Prendergast

We would like to thank the players and management team associated to Cill Oige (Castledaly and Rosemount amalgamation) for a very sporting and fun game of football.

U10 St Lomans Tournament 
Our u10 team have been invited to take part in the U10 St Loman’s Tournament on the Monday of the June Bank Holiday Weekend (10th). This is a very well organised tournament and we were unlucky not to win the final last year. Hopefully we can go one step further this year. Further details will issue by text. 

Cul Camps 22-26th July in Athlone GAA
Kellogg's GAA Cúl Camps for boys and girls age 6 to 13 takes place in Athlone GAA from Monday 22nd- Friday 26th July. It's an action-packed and fun-filled week of activity which revolves around maximising enjoyment and sustaining participant involvement in Gaelic Games. Each child gets club gear including jersey, backpack and training top. Cost €60 for 1st child; €55 for 2nd child; €45 for 3rd and subsequent children.
Book online at https://www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie
Underage Training
Football for boys and girls age 4-12 takes place every Sunday morning from 11.30-12.30 in Pairc Chiarain. New players of all abilities very welcome, first year is free and bring a friend for fun, fitness and friendship. Any queries contact Joe Fallon at 086 8846731 

GM&O
Gaelic for Mothers & Others is back on Monday nights from 8-9pm.  Ladies of all abilities and none very welcome.  Come along to Pairc Chiarain to get fit and have some fun.  Any queries contact Joan at 087 6493941

Club Gear 
Our club gear including training tops, tracksuits, jerseys, shorts and socks is now available online at www.athlone.gaa.ie  Any queries contact Teresa Small at 087 6799472. 

Vote of Sympathy
Murray Family – Talbot Avenue
Scanlon Family- Garrycastle
Corless Family – Retreat Park
Keogh Family – Sarsfield Square

Lotto Results
There was no winner of this week’s jackpot of €2,400
The numbers drawn were 1, 14, 20, 26
There was 3 match 3 winners : John Dolan c/o Bingo : Joe Murphy c/o Tony Heavin : Tanya Mulvihill c/o Liam Roper
Next week’s jackpot will be €2,550

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

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