Despite their capitulation to Tyrrellspass in the SFC semi-final replay and their demotion to Division 2 of the league, Athlone were a much improved outfit last season. Goalkeeper and captain Richie Daly shares his recollections on an eventful year. After their narrow escape from relegation in 2000, Athlone proved to be a totally different proposition in the season just past. They may have lost to Tyrrellspass in bitterly disappointing circumstances in the senior football championship semi-final replay and suffered demotion to Division 2 of the All-County League but overall, Athlone were a much improved outfit. "I don't think things could have got any worse for us after the previous year," claims goalkeeper and captain Richie Daly. "We were totally disorganised and were lucky not to drop back to intermediate. We said to ourselves that the effort simply wasn't good enough and it was great to see a big improvement last year." A turning point for the Shannonsiders was the return of Ferbane man Brendan Clarke to the helm. Clarke was in charge of the Athlone teams which captured the Flanagan Cup in 1988 and '98 and has always managed to get the best out of the record title holders. "Due to personal reasons, Brendan took a break in 2000 and our form suffered as a result. But he returned before the year was out and, along with trainer Paul Gilligan, started training early. Gradually, our confidence came back and we were able to give the championship a real go," Daly explains. There were other factors in Athlone's change in fortunes. Veteran half back Ollie Keating returned from injury. Philip Allen was back from overseas duty with the army and 1995 All-Ireland minor medalist Tom Stuart-Trainor resumed his football career after concentrating on rugby for a few seasons. "It's amazing the difference two or three key players can make. The return of Ollie, Philip and Tom strengthened the team greatly. We also had youngsters like Davy O'Neill, Dermot McManus, Alan Kelly and John Molloy coming in. They also made a big impact," explains Daly who enjoyed his best ever year between the posts. Athlone's championship campaign got off to a disastrous start. Having commenced training the previous December, they made the short trip to Moate to play St. Loman's on May 13, full of confidence. However, their performance was sub-standard and they were fortunate to escape with a four-point defeat, 0-7 to 1-8. It was June 24 before Athlone were trust back into action again. Garrycastle were the opposition and considerable local pride was at stake. Athlone had never lost to their town rivals in the senior championship but all the indications were that that was about to change. But, like a red rag to a bull, the sight of Garrycastle jersey produced a big performance from Athlone and they duly triumphed by 0-12 to 0-10. With All-Star elect Rory O'Connell eclipsing his county midfield partner David O'Shaughnessy, Athlone controlled the first half, at the end of which they led by 0-8 to 0-3. But Garrycastle were in no mood for surrender and had reduced the deficit to the minimum with only minutes remaining. Rory O'Connell's late dismissal provided Garrycastle with an opportunity to salvage something from the game but in injury-time, substitute Neil Dolan made victory safe for the sky blues. "I would have to say that the Garrycastle game was our best display all year. We had been very poor against St. Loman's in the first round and desperately needed to win. If we had lost to Garrycastle that day, we would have been left with a mountain to climb to reach the knock-out stages," Richie recalls. Athlone secured their second win when overcoming relegation-threatened St. Mary's on a 1-8 to 1-4 scoreline at Castletown-Geoghegan. After a closely contested first half, the Shannonsiders gradually took control in the second half with points from Joe Fallon and O'Connell. The result was put beyond all doubt in the closing stages when Stephen Hahessy pounced for Athlone's only goal. Brendan Clarke's side maintained winning ways at Tang on August 21 when they edged out Ballynacargy by 0-9 to 0-8. Joe Fallon was an inspirational figure in the victory, notching all but one of Athlone's scoring tally. Two of those points came in injury-time. With qualification for the quarter-finals already assured, Athlone met Castledaly in their final group game at Moate five days later. This proved to be one of the games of the year with the sides sharing 28 points between them. Athlone led by 0-8 to 0-5 at the interval and when Fallon pointed them four clear just after the restart, they appeared set for victory. But Castledaly came roaring back with half forward Sean Connell spearheading their recovery. A point from Mike Fogarty in the 59th minute gave Castledaly the lead for the first time and they looked like holding out until the ever-reliable Fallon equalized from a free four minutes into injury-time. Athlone were pitted against old rivals The Downs in the quarter-final on September 2. This game was all about two players who operate at opposite ends of the pitch - Richie Daly and Joe Fallon. Daly produced a hatful of saves, several of which were straight from the top drawer. Fallon, as he had done all season, pointed frees from all angles to finish with a personal tally of 0-12. The Shannonsiders were 0-9 to 0-3 ahead at the break but three unanswered points from The Downs on the restart brought them back into contention. Athlone responded impressively, however, and a succession of points effectively ended the game as a contest. Tommy Cleary managed a late goal from the penalty spot for The Downs but it wasn't enough to prevent Athlone from running out 0-17 to 1-7 winners. Onto the semi-final. As was the case in the 1999 county final, Tyrrellspass stood in Athlone's way. A huge crowd was present at Cusack Park on September 9 to witness a contest (and a controversy!) that is still talked about. The first half was free-flowing with Tyrrellspass holding the slightest of advantages at the interval. By the 15th minute of the second half, Tyrrellspass had opened up a 0-12 to 0-8 lead. Another score at that stage might have ended Athlone's hopes but to their credit, they hung on. The Shannonsiders chipped away at the Tyrrellspass lead in the final quarter but still trailed by two points as the game moved into injury-time. Tyrrellspass youngster Denis Glennon could have made victory safe in the 28th minute but another outstanding piece of goalkeeping by Daly denied him. In the end, a couple of pointed frees from Fallon saved Athlone's bacon. The second free, coming in the last minute, was hugely controversial with Tyrrellspass supporters being incensed by the referee's decision to award it. Despite all the protestations, Fallon held his nerve to tie the game up at 0-13 apiece. Most spectators who left Cusack Park that evening agreed that Athlone salvaged a draw from limited possession. The suspicion was that Tyrrellspass were the superior team but they let Athlone off the hook. They would not make the same mistake in the replay, however. Athlone made the brighter start with David Prendergast pointing but Tyrrellspass soon gained the upperhand and were 0-5 to 0-2 in front after just 12 minutes. Athlone trailed by six points after 20 minutes before a point each from Tom Stuart-Trainor and Fallon kept the Shannonsiders in touch. As half-time approached, Athlone seemed capable of clawing back the deficit but a goal from John Corcoran and a point from Martin Flanagan left Tyrrellspass 1-10 to 0-6 in front at half-time and firmly in the driving seat. Athlone needed a good start to the second half but the opposite happened. A sideline delivery from Martin Flanagan completely deceived the Athlone defence and ended up in the net. Now finding themselves 0-6 to 2-10 in arrears, there could be no way back for Brendan Clarke's side. In the end, it proved a cakewalk for Tyrrellspass whose display in amassing 3-14 probably contributed to their shock county final defeat at the hands of Garrycastle. On this occasion, however, Athlone could have no complaints. "No excuses, we were beaten by the better team," offers Daly. "With 20 minutes to go, we all wanted the referee to blow the final whistle and to put us out of our misery. It was one of those days when nothing went right. Four of us had only returned from a sun holiday the previous night but I wouldn't use that as an excuse. Tyrrellspass were outstanding." Richie isn't sure if long-term injury victims Aidan Collins and Brendan Kenny will be back to assist Athlone in the season ahead. One man who definitely won't be back in the foreseeable future is Brendan Clarke who has taken charge of Castledaly. Nevertheless, the brilliant custodian is expecting a big year from his team-mates. "I have no doubt that the talent is there to improve on last year. There is a lot of young talent coming through and if we can get things right, anything is possible." Athlone are under 12 champions The future looks rosy for Athlone after the club emerged as winners of the under 12 football championship. A convincing 4-5 to 1-5 victory over Ballynacargy in their final game of the league-style championship assured the Shannonsiders of outright success. Over the course of the campaign, Athlone suffered just one defeat and were very impressive winners in a number of games. A cloud of doubt was later cast over Athlone's triumph when a challenge series, involving four clubs, was held in Cusack Park on December 1. The games were arranged to give the young players an opportunity to play at the county headquarters and had nothing to do with the under 12 championship. During November, the successful Athlone team had been presented with their medals by county board chairman Seamus Whelan at a function in Aras Chiarain. The Athlone panel which won the under 12 championship was: Darren Sammon, Daniel Flannery, Tom Egan, Jack Keegan, Craig Tone, David Fagan, Aidan O'Dea, Ian Byrne, David Egan, Noel Mulligan, David Egan, Robert Mahon, Aidan Fitzsimons, Killian O'Driscoll, Conor Guinan, John O'Toole, Mark Hynes (captain), Kevin Murray, Jay Dean Nicell, John Egan, Kevin Piggott and Eoin Jordan. Tweet

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