ACFL Division 1
Athlone 3-8 Tubberclair 0-11

Athlone warmed up for their debut in the Westmeath Intermediate Championship next weekend when they defeated neighbours Tubberclair by six points in Páirc Chiaráin on Saturday night.  This was a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde performance from Athlone, with an impressive first half performance that saw them score 3-7 followed by a second half in which they managed only one point.

On an ideal evening for football, visitors Tubberclair took the initiative from the off and had their first score on the board after less than 10 seconds, cutting through the Athlone defence straight from the throw-in for a great point.  However, despite enjoying plenty of early possession, some erratic shooting meant that they were unable to add to their lead before Jack Quinn equalised for Athlone after five minutes.  Tubberclair regained their lead from a free two minutes later but two quick points, a superb score from John Stapleton out near the sideline and a free from John Connellan, had Athlone in front at the 10 minute mark.  Both sides swapped points again, Athlone's coming from a Joe Fallon free, before a two goal salvo put the home side in the driving seat.  First John Stapleton crashed the rebound past the keeper after a John Connellan attempt at a point came back off the crossbar, then Jack Quinn hammered home a beauty after some great interplay with the raiding Noel Mulligan, to leave Athlone ahead by seven points, 2-4 to 0-3, after 20 minutes.

The sides again exchanged points, John Connellan the Athlone scorer from play, before Tubberclair enjoyed their best spell of the half, with three well-taken points from play reducing the gap to four as half-time approached.  Joe Fallon steadied the Athlone ship with a point from a free, then Athlone struck for their third goal as the match entered first half stoppage time, Jack Quinn again doing well in the corner to get away from his marker to set up the in rushing Stephen Ward, who fisted powerfully to the net.  The final act of the opening period came from midfielder Ray Connellan whose long range point gave the Blues a nine point half-time cushion, 3-7 to 0-7.

If the first half was free-scoring open affair, with some excellent scores from play from both sides, the second half was altogether cagier affair, with only five points, and only one from play, being scored over the 30 minutes.  What made the low scoring even more extraordinary was that Tubberclair opened the half strongly and scored three points (two frees) in the first three minutes of play, meaning that both sides scored only one point each (both frees) in the closing 27 minutes!  For the record, those scores were a John Connellan free for the hosts after 54 minutes and another Tubberclair free on 60 minutes.  Low scoring aside, the second half was never less than interesting, with a good physical contest developing between two committed sides.  In particular, the Athlone defence worked very well as a unit, and showed great discipline to keep the visitors scoreless between the 33rd and 60th minutes.

Scorers:  Jack Quinn 1-1, John Stapleton 1-1, Stephen Ward 1-0, John Connellan 0-3, Joe Fallon 0-2, Ray Connellan 0-1
Athlone: Conal Sheeran, Eoin Maher, Damo Kelly, Fergal Murray, Danny Lynam, Noel Mulligan, Matty Darling, Ray Connellan, John Stapleton, John Egan, Charlie McMickan, Stephan Ward, Joe Fallon, John Connellan, Jack Quinn, Dylan Lynch, Dermot Pigott.

22 May 2015
Junior Championship Sec B Result
Athlone 3-11 St. Lomans 3-08
Congrats lads on a superb result

U14 Girls
Athlone v St. Lomans
The Athlone u14 girls played their 6th championship match of the season when they faced St Loman's in Pairc Chiarain on Tuesday 19th May. The girls had won all their matches to date and were anxious to continue their winning streak. They were without three of their regular starters but there was no concern in the camp as the mentors have a strong panel to choose from. Athlone started brightly and won the throw in and Brionna Geoghegan broke though the Loman's defence and crashed the ball to the net. Her midfield partner, Nadia Molloy then scored her first score of many of the night when she fired over for a point. Niamh McGann then took over the scoring with a quick 1-1. These three players dominated the scoring for the rest of the half with Brionna adding another goal, Nadia 1-5 and Niamh 0-2 to leave a half time score of Athlone 4-9 St Loman's 0-0.
The second half continued as the first had ended with Niamh scoring a goal in the first minute and a point followed from Brionna. St Loman's then got their first point from a free. Lucy Sheridan then scored a great goal and further scores flowed from Niamh 0-3, Eadaoine Martin 0-2, Nadia 1-0 and Brionna 0-1. The final score of the game was a wonderful point from Becky Imade. St Loman's did manage to get three goals in the second half but the score at the final whistle was a convincing victory of Athlone 7-17 St Loman's 3-1.

There were star performers all over the pitch. All the backs won their individual duels but the half back line of Amy Earl, Blessing Imade and Ella McGlynn ensured that the full back line had a very comfortable evening. In midfield Brionna played to her usual high standard but Nadia Molloy had a super evening and in addition to controlling midfield she also broke forward and scored a wonderful 2-6. Up front Niamh McGann had an exceptional evening and also scored 2-6. She was ably assisted by Eadaoine Martin at full forward who gave the full back a torrid time and as well as setting up a number of scores for others she added 0-2 of her own. This was a very determined performance from the girls and their shooting, work rate and passing accuracy was very good. The next game is in 3 weeks time against Killucan who are the favourites for the championship so we will know at that stage where we stand but if the girls continue to perform as they have to date we do not fear any team.
Team and scorers: Rebecca Duddy, Nicole Murray, Wiktoria Sewerniak, Kirsty Johnston, Amy Earl, Blessing Imade, Ella McGlynn, Brionna Geoghegan(2-2), Nadia Molloy(2-6), Kasey Quinn, Becky Imade(0-1), Edel Cleary, Niamh McGann(2-6), Eadaoine Martin(0-2), Lucy Sheridan(1-0), Sorcha McGlynn, Ailbhe Moylan, Kate Faller.

U14 Boys
Athlone v Moate
Athlone U14 Boys got back to winning ways with a win against Moate in Hogan Park last Monday evening.  Athlone got off to a great start with a goal from Andrew Beaumont in the first couple of minutes.  Further goals from Shaun Fox, Bryan Hughes, Ryan O Connor and Ebuke Offorjama gave Athlone a half time lead of 5-6 to 0-7.  In the second half Athlone continued their dominance and scored some really good points with a blustery wind swirling around the pitch.  This was a very good team performance with all six forwards scoring from play with Shane Reid and Izzy Kimazo well on top in midfield.  The backs held their opponents to 8 points with stand in goalkeeper Liam West making a great save to keep a clean sheet.  Man of the match would have to be Ben Killian who had a great game from start to finish.  Well done lads.
Panel for Athlone:  Liam West, Sean Duffy, Killian O'Sullivan, Ben Killian, Eamon Martin, Michael Byrne, Conor Rushe, Izzy Kimazo, Shane Reid, Emmet Edmundson, Ebuke Offorjama, Andrew Beaumont, Ryan O'Connor, Bryan Hughes, Shaun Fox, Ben Dugha, TJ Dugha.

Nursery
There is no nursery training on Sunday, 31st May.  Training continues on Sunday, 7th June.  All other groups will receive a text if training is off.

Cúl Camps 6th July 2015
Official Westmeath Cúl Camp takes place in Pairc Chiarain in Athlone GAA from Monday, 6th July to Friday, 10th July, 2015 from 10am to 2.30pm.  Attendance is open to primary school children from 6 years to 13 years.  Cost is €55 for first child, €45 for second and €40 for third & fourth child. Every child that attends gets a free GAA jersey, training top and a bag pack. Book online at http://www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie or contact David at 087 2397519

Frank Starken Memorial 2015
The Frank Starken Memorial Golf Classic takes place in Athlone Golf Club on Friday, 19th June.  Contact Denis O'Sullivan on 086 8542800 to book a tee-time.

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

Lotto Notes:
There was no winner of this weeks €1,950 jackpot.
The numbers drawn were 1-6-19-20.
There was 1 match 3 winner.
Seamus Barkey c/o Padraig Devaney.
This weeks jackpot will be €2,100.

Vote of Sympathy:
The Devaney Family, Whitebeam Avenue.
The Gaffey Family, Cushla.
The Ledwith Family, Mount Temple.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anam.

Junior Championship:
The Athlone Junior Team travelled to Lakepoint Park on Friday last to play St.Loman`s in the Junior Championship and won on a scoreline of 3-11 to 3-8.
Athlone Team:Darren Costello,Dermot Piggot,Gary Quinn,Danny Lynam,Dylan Lynch,Andy Lynam,Tom Egan,Conal Sheeran,Colin O`Leary,Kieran Rigney,Charlie McMicken,Dermot Bannon,Tadgh Prendergast,Declan Byrne,Jack Quinn,Eoin Maher,Sam Omoracho,Emmet Collins.
Scorers for Athlone:Jack Quinn(2-1),Charlie McMicken(7pts),Declan Byrne(1-0),Dermot Bannon(2pts),Sam Omoracho(1pt).

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