ACFL Division 1:
Athlone 2-9 Coralstown-Kinnegad 2-13
Athlone hosted Coralstown-Kinnegad under the Páirc Chiaráin lights on Friday night hoping to build on their victory over Mullingar Shamrocks the last time out, but instead it was the visitors who came away with the league points, mainly due to an impressive first half performance which saw them score 2-9 from play.
The visitors took the initiative straight from the throw-in and had three superb points from play on the board before the opening two minutes had elapsed. Noel Mulligan pulled a point back from Athlone's first attack after a good team move, before Kinnegad restored their three point lead with a fisted score.
With the Athlone defence struggling to cope with the movement and accuracy of the Reds' forwards, it looked like Kinnegad were going to run away with the game but Athlone drew level when a Noel Mulligan effort came back off the post to Andy Lynam, who slammed the rebound to the net.
Kinnegad responded to this setback with three more excellent points to lead by 0-7 to 1-1 but again Athlone drew level with a goal, this time when Jack Quinn got on the end of a long pass and coolly finished under the advancing keeper. A Noel Mulligan point from a free had Athlone somehow leading after 20 minutes but Kinnegad equalised almost immediately with another point from play.
Athlone would've been pleased to be level at this stage but now it was our turn to fall victim to a three-pointer when the opposing full-forward got between the keeper and full-back to fist a high dropping ball to the net. Joe Fallon pulled a point back for Athlone after a great run by Matty Darling, but CK struck for their second goal with an emphatic finish after a mistake in the Athlone defence. Yet another spectacular Kinnegad point was answered by a Joe Fallon free to leave the half-time score Athlone 2-4 Coralstown-Kinnegad 2-9.
Athlone started the second half brightly and a brace of points from Noel Mulligan and Jack Quinn reduced the gap to three points. The visitors were finding the going a lot tougher against the Athlone defence in the second period and didn't get their opening score, from a free, until the 37th minute. Unfortunately, despite their opening flourish, Athlone were also struggling to get scores on the board and had to wait until the 45th minute for a Noel Mulligan free to leave them trailing by 2-10 to 2-7 with 15 minutes remaining.
The game was still up for grabs at this stage but, despite increased possession and pressure, Athlone couldn't reduce the gap any further. Instead Kinnegad were able to absorb the pressure and struck the next three points (two from frees) to lead by six with five remaining. To their credit, Athlone refused to give up and dominated the last few minutes, but were only able to add another Jack Quinn point and a Joe Fallon injury time free to their total, to leave the visitors victorious on a final score of 2-13 to 2-9
Scorers: Jack Quinn 1-2, Noel Mulligan 0-4 (0-2f,) Joe Fallon 0-3 (0-2f,) Andy Lynam 1-0.
U16 Division 1 Result
Athlone 5-13 Coralstown/Kinnegad 1-06
Congrats lads on a superb performance and result.
See match photos on www.athlone.gaa.ie
U16 Girls
Athlone v Rochfortbridge
The Athlone u16 girls began their championship campaign with a defeat against Rochfortbridge in Pairc Chiarain on Thursday last on a score line of Rochfordbride 8-8 Athlone 2-9. However if ever a scoreline did not reflect the game itself this is a perfect example. Athlone started the game brightly and matched the Bridge score for score for the first 15 minutes with points from Chloe Moran, Niamh Byrne and Lauren O'Connor and a goal from Lauryn Mitchell left the scores level. We then took control of the ball for the remainder of the half and 2 more points from Niamh Byrne along with a point from Kelly Brill and finally a goal from Grace Halligan left the half time score at Athlone 2-6 Rochfordbride 1-3.
Unfortunately we also missed a number of great opportunities and these were to make a huge difference in the second half. We started brightly in the second half and continued to hold the lead with 15 minutes left recording points from Niamh (2) and Brionna. From then on Rochfortbridge took over and seemed to be able to score at will and scored five goals in the last few minutes to record a very comfortable victory. It would have been even worse but for a fine performance from Aoife Temple in goals. The positive aspect was that the girls played really well for 45 minutes. However the fact that we stopped playing after 45 minutes is a concern and will have to be addressed if the girls are to compete in this division. We still have seven games to play so I am confident that the players and mentors will put in the necessary work to get to the level required.
Panel: Aoife Temple, Nicole Murray, Caoimhe Mannion, Anna Redmond, Amy Earl, Alannah Reynolds, Shauna Moylan, Kasey O'Neill, Chloe Moran, Brionna Geoghegan, Kelly Brill, Lauren O'Connor, Grace Halligan, Lauryn Mitchell, Niamh Byrne, Amy Brill, Kirsty Johnston, Amy Joyce.
U10 Boys
The first match of our under 10 season took place last Tuesday afternoon in Cusack Park, Mullingar. Due to the early throw-in time of 5.30pm, many parents could not make it and unfortunately we had nineteen children who could not make the trip. However we did have fourteen hardy souls who took the field and what they lacked in quantity they more than made up in quality. From the throw in of the first game against Mullingar Shamrocks the lads played like this was the end of the season, not the beginning. Excellent high fielding, tenacious tackling and flowing passing moves were the order of the day. Added to that, the lads seemed to dial in their shooting radar very early with some lovely points taken. Following an excellent display against Shamrocks, the lads lined up against Killucan in the second match and it was terrific to see some of last year's under 8s shoe their skills that were learned last year. All in all it was a great start for the lads. We hope to have a full squad for the next match to show the full range of skills in the panel.
The Athlone panel on the day was: Cian Dolan, Luke Farrell, Cillian Geary, Tobey Heavy, Johnny Martin, Evan McMickan, Dano McMonagle, Owen Mcnamara, Luke Nicholson, Luke O'Connell, Ruairí O'Duibhir, Daniel Omukoro, Shane Wheatley and Luke Whelan.
We look forward to seeing all the U10s at training on Sunday mornings at 11.30. New players very welcome.
We're Back!
Underage Football is back and continues on Sunday 19th April from 11.30am in Pairc Chiarain, Ballymahon Road. This is for boys and girls aged 4 upwards and new players very welcome. Contact David O'Connell, Secretary Minor Board at 087 2397519. Otherwise just come along on the day and have some fun. Check out photos of our first day back on www.athlone.gaa.ie
Club Gear
We have half zip training tops, jerseys, shorts (navy or white) and socks in stock. Please contact Teresa at 087 6799472 or see website for price list/order form.
Membership 2015
For those who still haven't paid you can log on and pay at www.athlone.gaa.ie or pay in the Clubhouse next Sunday, 19th April between 11am-1pm. All Life Members can collect their membership cards in the Club or by contacting 087 6799472.
Tesco Tokens
Please support Athlone GAA Underage by donating your tokens in Tesco in Golden Island, this continues for the month of April.
Bingo continues in the Clubhouse every Thursday at 8.30pm, loads of cash prizes. Everyone welcome.
Lotto Results:
There was no winner of this weeks €1,950 jackpot.
The numbers drawn were 10-11-29-30.
There were 6 match 3 winners.
Mary Moore c/o Bingo.
Margaret&Frances c/o Michael Collins.
Anne Egan c/o Liam Roper.
Patsy McCormack c/o Sean McCoy.
Ollie Colgan c/o Vals.
Tutto c/o Andy O Sullivan.
This weeks jackpot will be €2,100.
Vote of Sympathy:
The Sheriff Family, Brawny Drive and Cluain Broc.
Ar dheis De go raibh a n-anam