ACFL Division 1
Athlone 3-14 Castledaly 2-13
Our senior team made the short trip to Castledaly on Easter Sunday morning and came away with two league points after what was a hard-fought and occasionally tempestuous encounter.

Athlone had a dream start when Tom Egan finished a good move to the net after 90 seconds, and they added a second three-pointer soon after when Paul Bannon goaled from close range after a Mickey Greene effort had come back off the post.  That was as good as it got in the opening stages as the home side settled and, aided by a goal from a quick free and points from the lively Lorcan Dolan, led by 1-7 to 2-1 after 25 minutes.  The visitors' only point in this period came from a Noel Mulligan free, while they were grateful to a Damo Kelly goal-line clearance not to be even further behind.  However, they rallied to finish the half strongly and two more Mulligan frees, either side of a point from play from John Stapleton brought them level, before an excellent long-range point from Noel Mulligan in injury time gave them an unlikely half-time lead.

Mulligan started the second half as he finished the first, with a point after 10 seconds of play, and Danny Reid stretched the lead to a goal with a superb point.  Two rapid points in response kept the hosts in touch, but further scores from Paul Bannon and Mulligan kept the Blues' noses in front, before Sam Omukoro tapped home their third goal to put some daylight between the sides.  Two more points from Mulligan and another from his midfield partner Stapleton looked to have sown up the points for Athlone, but Castledaly refused to yield and another goal after a short free brought them right back into the game.  The gap was down to two points as the game entered stoppage time, and with six minutes added following a lengthy fracas that saw a player from each team sent off, the Athlone defence was forced to dig deep to preserve that lead.  Fortunately, they were able to prevent their opponents from creating any further scoring opportunities and instead two more pointed frees from Mulligan, to bring his personal total to 0-10, saw them home on a scoreline of 3-14 to 2-13.

Athlone:  Conal Sheeran, Eoin Maher, Damien Kelly, Fergal Murray, Fionn Dowd, Jordan Marshment, Shane Kilroy-Glynn, John Stapleton (0-2), Noel Mulligan (0-10), John Egan, Daniel Reid (0-1), Tom Egan (1-0), Mickey Greene, Paul Bannon (1-1), Sam Omukoro (1-0)  Subs Used:  Matthew Darling, Jack Quinn, Luke Kelly, Joe Fallon.

ACFL Division 4
Athlone 1-11 St. Malachy's 0-10
Athlone recorded a fully deserved first win of the division 4 campaign when they accounted for St. Malachy's after a hard-fought battle in Castletown-Geoghegan.  The visitors had a dream start with a Richie Greene goal in the second minute, when he finished off a superb move that started with Athlone goalkeeper Conal Sheeran, and the same player followed that up with a point after Athlone had turned over the subsequent kickout.  The hosts then got on the board with two points over their own, but Greene added his second point, before Joe Fallon stroked over a 45 after the home goalkeeper had saved from Emmet Collins.  Benny Martin then got on the scoresheet with a point after another excellent Athlone attack, but St. Malachy's were also looking dangerous up front and it took some good saves from Sheeran to restrict them to just a couple of points in this period.  Athlone finished the half strongly and another Fallon 45, followed by a free from the same player and an audacious effort from near the sideline from Richie Greene gave them a 1-7 to 0-5 half-time lead.

St. Malachy's started the second half with an first minute point but excellent disciplined defending from the Athlone backs, with Danny Lynam particularly impressive, meant that they were unable to reduce the gap any further before Luke Dully and Joe Fallon added fine points from play for Athlone.  The home side did then enjoy their best period of the game with three consecutive points reducing the lead to a goal, but Athlone didn't panic and a patient move of 30+ passes eventually led to Richie Greene being fouled, with Fallon converting the free.  St Malachy's did reduce the gap again to a goal with a point from a free, but more fine defending meant that they were unable to fashion the goal chance they needed to salvage a draw, and it was Athlone who had the final word when another patient passing move led to corner-back Michael Doolan splitting the posts for the insurance point.

Athone:  Conal Sheeran, Michael Doolan (0-1) Danny Lynam, Shane Galvin, Eoin Jordan, Fionn Dowd, Andy Lynam, Aidan St John, Luke Dully (0-1), Benny Martin (0-1), Emmet Collins, Dylan Lynch, Richie Greene (1-3), Joe Fallon (0-5), Tadhg Prendergast.

Minor Boys' League Division 1
Athlone 3-14 Shandonagh 0-15
The minor boys got their third league win on the spin away to Shandonagh last Thursday evening.  On what was a perfect evening for football, Athlone got off the mark when Eamon Martin got the first of his three goals, but Shandonagh replied with four straight points and Athlone didn't score again until the 19th minute with a Benny Martin free. Eamon Martin got his second goal from close range soon after and Athlone finished with points from Shane Allen, Paddy McGettigan and another free, leaving it 2-4 to 0-6 at HT.

The second half saw  brilliant display of football with the sides producing 20 scores between them.  Five of Athlone's 1-10 in the second half came from the boot of Benny Martin, with the other scores coming from Allen, Enda Daly and David Cleary. Eamon Martin's hat-trick goal was a real poacher's finish and was a result of a great turn over from Mark Tallon and being set up by his brother Diarmuid.  Athlone finished the strongest but were made to earn their win by the home side. Three excellent saves from John Duddy, along with a solid display by the full back line of Joe Devins, Paddy Ryan, and the excellent James Finlass kept Athlone in the game at times.

Athlone:  John Duddy, Joseph Devins, James Finlass, Patrick Ryan, Patrick McGettigan (0-1), Shane Allen (0-3), David Cleary (0-1), Anthony Johnson, Diarmuid Martin, Niall Doolan, Benny Martin (0-7), Donagh Prendergast, Deba Okodugha, Enda Daly (0-2), Eamon Martin (3-0)  Subs:  Mark Tallon, Aaron Forde, Kevin Cleary, Conor Rushe, Rytis Liaukevicius.


Underage football continues on Sunday 30th April at 11.30am.  Boys and girls all ages and all abilities welcome. Come along on Sunday or contact David O'Connell at 087 2397519.

Membership 2017 can be paid in the Clubhouse on Sunday between 11-1pm or online at www.athlone.gaa.ie.  Honorary and life members can also collect their membership cards on Sunday.

Lotto Results:
There was no winner of this week's €4500 jackpot.
The numbers drawn were 7-8-14-16.
There were four match three winners.
Mary Moore c/o Mags Daly.
Ciaran Molloy c/o Liam Roper.
W.Warby c/o Liam Roper.
Dick Quirke c/o Brian Melinn.
Next weeks jackpot will be €4,650.

Race Night:
Athlone GAA would like to thank all the race sponsors, buyers of horses and people who attended the very successful race night in the clubhouse on Saturday last.

Athlone GAA Bingo:
Bingo takes place in the Clubhouse every Thursday at 8.30pm.  Loads of cash prizes. Everyone Welcome.

Vote of Sympathy:
The O Donoghue Family, Dublin and late of Retreat Road.
The Fitzsimons Family, Sligo and late of Ballymahon Road.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anam.

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