Athlone GAA notes
November 16, 2015
Leinster Club Intermediate Semi-Final:
Athlone 1-6 Glynn-Barntown (Wexford) 0-6.
Athlone qualified for the Leinster Intermediate Club Championship Final, the club's first provincial final at this grade and second overall, when they overcame both the extremely difficult weather conditions and a physically strong and determined Glynn-Barntown side in Wexford on Sunday. Despite the low scoring, this was an absorbing contest between two very committed sides that built up to a thrilling climax as Athlone struggled to turn possession into scores until very late in the game.
Playing into the teeth of an almost gale force wind in the opening period, containment was the name of the game for the visitors and to this end they adopted a defensive strategy, leaving only two players up forward, as they looked to restrict space and shooting opportunities in their own half. This strategy worked very well in the opening stages as Athlone's tigerish but disciplined tackling restricted the home team to long range efforts, which were off target in the windy conditions. Indeed it was Athlone who came closest to opening the scoring , firstly when a Noel Mulligan effort, after a superb team move, was saved and then when a speculative effort from Tom Egan came back off the post. Eventually Glynn-Barntown broke the deadlock with a point from play after 18 minutes, and they followed this up almost immediately with another fine score. Athlone needed a response to break up the Wexford men's momentum and that came from a Ray Connellan free, after another good move had ended with John Egan being high-tackled on the edge of the square. Athlone would've been happy to be trailing by only one point as the first half entered its final five minutes, but the extra effort required to play against such a strong wind began to take its toll and a couple of turnovers in defence allowed the home team to add two more points and stretch the lead to three as the game ticked into first half injury time. Athlone needed another response before half time and that came in the best possible manner, when Jordan Marshment cleverly fisted a Ray Connellan cross to the net to bring the sides level. There was still time for Glynn-Barntown to regain the lead with another point deep into injury time, but it looked like advantage Athlone at the break, even though they trailed by 0-5 to 1-1.
With the wind finally at their backs after the interval, Athlone looked to seize the initiative from the off, but unfortunately they too were guilty of some poor shooting and instead it was Glynn-Barntown who opened the second half scoring with a fisted point after a good move. John Connellan, who had been a revelation in a defensive role in the first half, was now restored to his more natural attacking position and he got the Blues on the board with a fine point after 38 minutes. It looked like an equaliser was an inevitability, but instead the game entered an almost 20 minute scoreless period, as Athlone were unable to turn their possession into scores and Glynn-Barntown took too much out of their occasional counterattacks. There were only three minutes left on the clock when John Connellan did eventually draw the sides level and shortly after the same player set up Matty Darling, a second half sub after battling injury for the past few months, and his cool finish put Athlone in front for the first time. Glynn-Barntown launched a few more attacks but their continued reluctance to shoot allowed Athlone to turnover possession and, with gaps having opened up in the home team's rearguard, they were able to exploit the space to add two more scores from the Connellan brothers to leave Athlone victorious on a final score of 1-6 to 0-6.
Team: Darren Costello, Eoin Maher, Damo Kelly, Fergal Murray, Danny Lynam, Noel Mulligan, Tom Egan, John Stapleton, Paul Bannon, Stephen Ward, Jordan Marshment (1-), John Egan, John Connellan (0-3), Ray Connellan (0-2), Daniel Reid. Subs used: Matthew Darling (0-1), Sam Omukoro, Joe Fallon, Mickey Greene, Jack Quinn
Club Gear
We are taking orders now for all club gear for Christmas. See athlone.gaa.ie or contact Teresa at 087 6799472
Athlone GAA Bingo:
Bingo takes place in the Clubhouse every Thursday at 8.30pm. Loads of cash prizes. Everyone Welcome.
Cards in the Club:
Take place in the Clubhouse every Friday night at 8.30pm. New players are very welcome, just come along to the Clubhouse any Friday.
Athlone GAA Club/Sheraton Athlone Hotel Annual Christmas Raffle:
The Annual Athlone GAA Christmas Raffle was launched in the Sheraton Athlone Hotel.
This is the 4th year of the raffle and Athlone GAA Club would like to thank the Sheraton Athlone Hotel for their continued support and sponsorship.
The tickets are on sale and can be bought from any member of Athlone GAA.
The Prizes are as follows:
1st Prize: Up to 5 nights luxury accommodation to one of Starwood`s many destinations including Fuerteventura, Frankfurt, Rome, Munich and many more + €500 towards the cost of flights.
2nd Prize: Luxury Spa Day for two people at Sirana Urban Spa in Sheraton Athlone Hotel.
3rd Prize: Dinner for two people in La Provence Fine Dining Restaurant.
Draw will take place on Sunday 20th December 2015 in the Sheraton Athlone Hotel.
Lotto Results:
There was no winner of this weeks €1,500 jackpot.
The numbers drawn were 14-16-20-23.
There were 4 match 3 winners.
Fergal O Toole c/o Teresa Small.
Mary Carroll c/o Mags Daly.
Joe Keegan c/o Martin Flynn.
Joe Browne c/o J.Browne.
This weeks jackpot will be €1,650.
Vote of Sympathy:
The Heavin Family,Arcadia and Castledaly.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anam.
