Athlone manager Tom Coffey admits that their goal at the start of the year was to reach the county IFC final.

Having been relegated after many years in the senior ranks, Athlone are just 60 minutes away from making a swift return to the top flight.

However, standing in their way are an experienced Tubberclair side and Coffey knows that his charges will have to be at their best this Sunday if they are to achieve their ultimate goal.

"All year long our mission was to win the intermediate title and to get back up to the senior ranks, and the lads have worked incredibly hard and with great honesty to make that happen," Coffey told the Westmeath Independent.

He added: "We're very cautious about this game, Tubberclair have been knocking around for a good while at the business end of the intermediate championship and they have some excellent, experienced footballers who know how to win games.

"They've got a couple of key guys back from the states and in a two-horse race, they'll go in with every chance."

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