One of the highlights of the Westmeath GAA year was Athlone Community College's historic capture of the Leinster Colleges SF 'A' crown. In doing so, they became the first local school in a quarter of a century to win the coveted title. March 9 2008 was a red-letter day for Athlone Community College who celebrated a first ever Leinster Colleges SF 'A' championship success following a dramatic win over Franciscan College, Gormanston at Longford's Pearse Park. Four unanswered points against a strong wind in the closing quarter secured an historic 0-10 to 0-9 victory for the Chris Ford/Niall Finneran/Val O'Connor managed outfit who brought the prestigious crown to the banks of the Shannon for the first time, and became the first Westmeath school since St. Mary's CBS, Mullingar in 1983 to claim the biggest prize in Leinster Colleges GAA. Athlone were subsequently denied a place in the All-Ireland final by a strong St. Patrick's, Dungannon team, but they can still look back on a momentous year which will live long in the memory of the players, management and supporters. The success was not only a major boost for Westmeath football, but also for the surrounding counties of Roscommon, Galway and Offaly who were all represented on the panel. The team that started the Leinster final featured 10 Westmeath players and four from Roscommon, while 15-year-old Padraig Cunningham from Ballinasloe in Galway made an invaluable contribution by kicking the winning point. Caulry, with five players, had the biggest representation of any club on the starting line-up, while Tubberclair provided the team with its inspirational captain, Ian Coffey, as well as defenders Aonghus Hanna and Jack Byrne. "This is magic for the school and it is magic for Westmeath, Athlone, Roscommon and even parts of Galway as well," enthused joint-manager Chris Forde after the Leinster final triumph. "It's nearly 30 years since a team from the midlands won the Leinster Colleges SF 'A' title, so it's an historic occasion for the school. The footballers of the future in Westmeath and Roscommon have to come from somewhere and they will come from this bunch of lads. "To put it in context, in St. Pat's, Navan, there are 900-plus going to that school. But what we lack in numbers we make up for in heart and pure footballing ability." A mixed school, Athlone Community College only entered the Leinster Colleges SF 'A' championship for the first time in 2006 after winning back-to-back All-Ireland Vocational Schools junior titles in the preceding two years. Showing little regard for tradition, they reached the semi-final at their first attempt where they suffered a narrow defeat to St. Pat's of Navan. Shorn of players of the calibre of John Connellan and Donie Shine in 2007, Athlone lost out in the qualifier series to Knockbeg College. But with players like Alan Fitzpatrick, Eoin Sheehy, John Egan, Ian Coffey and Robert Kenny a year older last year, they weren't to be denied. The Primrose and Blues' form in winning the North Leinster League marked them out as serious championship contenders. They showed real character in defeating reigning provincial kingpins St. Pat's by 1-11 to 0-13 in an absorbing semi-final at Pairc Chiarain. The home side were extremely wasteful when assisted by the wind in the first half, hitting nine wides to Navan's none, and a 0-5 to 0-4 interval lead didn't bode well for the second half. But Athlone dug deep in the second half and an Adam Ward goal proved crucial in taking the tie to extra-time. The Westmeath side gained the upper hand in the first period of extra-time thanks to points from Ian Coffey, John Egan and Robert Kenny and they hung on in the second period for a 1-11 to 0-13 win. Athlone faced the league holders Franciscan College in the final at St. Loman's on December 6 and once again produced a strong performance to run out winners by 1-8 to 1-5. Rocked by the concession of a first minute goal, the Shannonsiders recovered to lead by 1-4 to 1-2 at half-time with county minor star and team captain Ian Coffey getting their goal. Athlone were made to fight all the way in the second half, and only made victory safe when substitute Jaydean Nicell kicked a late point. A fortnight after that success, the Primrose and Blues were brought back down to earth with a bang when an injury-time goal from Conor Walsh of St. Declan's, Cabra condemned them to a shock 1-10 to 3-6 defeat in the opening round of the Leinster Colleges SF 'A' championship. Fortunately for Athlone, the qualifier system provided them with a second chance and subsequent wins over Portmarnock CS, Athy Schools and St. Peter's of Wexford secured their place in the last four. Standing between Athlone and an historic final spot were St. Mary's, Edenderry who, under the guidance of Coralstown/Kinnegad footballer Emmett McDonnell, had surprised many with their progress since winning the All-Ireland 'B' title in 2007. The semi-final, which took place in Moate's Hogan Park, was slow to come to life with the first score not arriving until the eighth minute when Sean Hurley put the Offaly side in front. However, from the 11th minute until half-time, it was all Athlone who outscored their opponents by 0-8 to 0-1. Ian Coffey got the ball rolling and further scores from John Egan, Robert Kenny, Alan Fitzpatrick and the outstanding Coffey left the Shannonsiders six points clear at the interval. Coffey extended Athlone's lead in the 39th minute, but with the wind to their backs, Edenderry fought back and Eoin O'Donoghue's 54th minute goal cut the deficit to just two points. Two minutes later, Paul Cribbin increased the pressure on Athlone when he pointed to leave the minimum between the sides. But sensing the danger, the Westmeath school replied instantly with the match-winning goal from Robert Kenny which sealed a 1-11 to 1-7 victory. The provincial decider was a repeat of the North Leinster League final and provided Gormanston with an ideal opportunity to avenge their pre-Christmas defeat. And for a long time, it looked as though they would get their revenge, only to lose their way in the critical closing minutes when the never-say-die Athlone boys snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. The midlanders failed to take advantage of the elements in the first half and actually trailed by 0-4 to 0-5 at half-time. With an almost gale at their backs, Athlone took the lead through Coffey in the second minute. Gormanston brought their centre forward and captain Mark Battersby back to defence in a bid to curb the threat of the Tubberclair man, and the tactic seemed to be working with Athlone having to wait until the 17th minute for their second score from Darren Dolan - brother of Roscommon senior Frankie. Two frees from Coffey had the sides level on 0-4 each as half-time approached, but a 30th minute point by full forward Kevin Whyte saw Gormanston go into the break with their noses in front. Early second half points from Whyte and Ryan put the Meath school in the driving seat, but Athlone rallied with points from Coffey and the now prominent Eoin Sheehy, who was set up by John Egan. Further points from a Battersby free and Whyte restored Gormaston's three-point advantage with 13 minutes remaining. However, Athlone refused to roll over and points by Robert Kenny and Ian Coffey, either side of one from wing back Niall Daly, left the sides deadlocked with less than five minutes remaining. As extra-time loomed, young Padraig Cunningham won possession about 40 metres from the Gormanston goal out on the right wing. And showing no fear whatsoever, he turned and aimed for the posts to kick an incredible winning point. There was joyous afterwards as the Athlone players and supporters celebrated a famous victory. When the dust settled, Athlone turned their attention to the All-Ireland series. However, despite making a dream start to their All-Ireland semi-final against St. Patrick's, Dungannon in Clontibret when Ian Coffey netted, the Ulster champions recovered to win by 0-10 to 1-5 and, in the process, shattered Athlone's hopes of achieving Hogan Cup glory. The Athlone CC team and substitutes for the Leinster Colleges SF 'A' final was: Joe McMahon (Caulry); Niall Byrne (St. Dominic's), Declan Donohue (Caulry), Aonghus Hanna (Tubberclair); Niall Daly (Padraig Pearses), Ben Moran (Caulry), Jack Byrne (Tubberclair); Alan Fitzpatrick (Caulry), Eoin Sheehy (St. Brigid's); Padraig Cunningham (Ballinasloe), Adam Ward (Athlone), John Egan (Athlone); Ian Coffey (Tubberclair), Robert Kenny (Caulry), Darren Dolan (St. Brigid's). Subs: John Keegan (Tubberclair), Sean Brennan (St. Rynagh's), Mark McCallon (Garrycastle), Ian Turley (Garrycastle), Padraig Cunningham (Ballinasloe), John Coyne (St. Aidan's), Cathal Duignan (Clann na nGael), Ciaran Allen (Caulry), Gary Mullery (Garrycastle), Jaydean Nicell (Athlone), Sean Ryan (Padraig Pearses), Steven Farrell (St. Dominic's), Stephen McManus (Padraig Pearses), Darragh McCormack (Ballinasloe) and Mark McBride (Athlone). Tweet

Most Read Stories