Athlone Community College will join Westmeath's four other representatives in the Leinster Colleges SF 'A' championship next year after they retained the All-Ireland Vocational Schools junior football title in emphatic fashion recently. In what was a largely disappoint-ing year for the Westmeath college sides, there was considerable consol-ation to be gained from Athlone Community College's retention of the All-Ireland Vocational Schools junior (under 16) football title. It is said that All-Ireland titles are never easily won, but that was hardly the case on May 2 last when the Athlone boys hammered Clonakilty Community College on a 1-17 to 0-1 scoreline at Leahy Park in Cashel to ensure that the cup will remain in the midlands for another 12 months. Last year, Athlone needed a last-minute goal from Alan Gaughan to see off the challenge of St. Paul's of Beesbrook, but this time they had things very much their own way. "We're obviously delighted," said Athlone CC team mentor Chris Forde. "In the end, it was a bit easier than we thought it would be, but nevertheless we had to come out, we had to beat what was in front of us, and we did that. "A huge amount of work has gone into this. We played 28 games this year, we played county squads, we played senior teams from other schools. We've only lost once in the entire year and that was without our full team. So I suppose we probably knew we had a good chance." Under the guidance of Forde and co-manager Fergal O'Gara, while Westmeath senior stars Paddy Mulvihill and Joe Fallon, who is a teacher at the school, also had an input, Athlone CC displayed a hunger throughout the campaign which none of their rivals could match. Many of the players who tasted success in 2004 were involved again with the surrounding clubs of Tang, Tubberclair, Athlone, St. Brigid's, St. Aidan's and Clann na nGael being represented. After receiving a bye in the first round of the Leinster championship, they hammered Tullamore College and then accounted for Tullow VS by 1-12 to 0-8 in the semi-final. An Ian Coffey goal helped Athlone to a 1-5 to 0-4 lead at the interval and, while Tullow threatened a revival after the restart, points from Donal Shine, Coffey, John Connellan and Steven Keegan saw the blue and golds run out comfortable winners. In the Leinster final at St. Loman's, Athlone had too much firepower for Castleknock Community College as they coasted to another comfortable win. The Westmeath side led by 1-4 to 0-1 at the interval with the goal coming from Ian Coffey after 11 minutes and, despite a bright opening to the second half, Castleknock never got any closer than four points. The game was effectively ended as a contest seven minutes into the half when Keith Waldron bagged Athlone's second goal after a poor kick-out by Castleknock goalkeeper Jamie Winters. A third goal by Colin Dunning in the closing stages wrapped up a 3-9 to 0-5 win for Athlone Community College who also captured the Leinster juvenile (under 14) 'B' crown in the same week. With the Leinster title safely tucked away, Athlone turned their attention to the All-Ireland semi-final and a meeting with St. Ciaran's High School, Ballygawley at Kingspan Breffni Park. Again, Athlone had the edge on their opponents, laying the foundations for a 1-11 to 0-9 victory when assisted by a strong wind in the first half. Donal Shine and Conor Duignan had shot early points before Justin McKenna opened Ballygawley's account in the 12th minute. Further points from John Connellan and Cillian Broughall extended the Leinster champions' advantage before Ian Coffey's 25th minute goal gave them a seven-point cushion at half-time. Ballygawley, who were managed by Cavan senior football team physical trainer Martin McElkennon, restarted with two quick points. However, Athlone captain John Connellan responded with a '45', despite kicking into the teeth of the wind and midfielder Keith Waldron followed up with another great score. St. Ciaran's hit back with three unanswered points to reduce the gap to 0-9 to 1-10 with three minutes remaining, but the goal they so desperately sought never looked like coming and it was left to Coffey to seal Athlone's place in the final when he converted an injury-time free. Bus loads of Athlone supporters made the trip to Cashel for the All-Ireland decider against their Clonakilty counterparts. The West Cork outfit had trounced Connacht kingpins Belmullet by 4-7 to 0-6 at the penultimate stage, meaning the reigning champions could afford to take nothing for granted. In the event, however, Athlone Community College easily retained their All-Ireland crown against a Clonakilty side who were outclassed in every facet of the game. Clonakilty actually made the better start and opened the scoring from a free after seven minutes. When Athlone finally got off the mark, it was thanks to Donal Shine who collected a pass, jinked and fired over. In the 12th minute, Ian Coffey kicked a fine individual score to give Athlone the lead and they never looked back after that. Although their play was sometimes sloppy, Athlone went on to lead by 0-5 to 0-1 at the interval thanks to points from Conor Duignan and Ian Coffey. Within 20 seconds of the restart, Shine notched his third point and further scores from the same player, Duignan and John Connellan had Athlone seven points clear before Shine set up Colin Dunning for the only goal in the 40th minute. Shine continued his tour de force with two more points as Athlone laid siege on the Clonakilty goalmouth. Centre back Ronan Killian and Connellan tagged on further points and not even a late penalty miss by the team captain could spoil the celebrations as Athlone went on to secure the easiest of victories. "The lads put their shoulders to the wheel in the first 10 minutes and when they withstood the initial Clonakilty storm, after that it was fairly easy. You had some terrific performances out there. Cillian Broughall is as good a footballer at this level as you'll find, and so are all the others really. I thought Conor Duignan was superb today," a delighted Forde said. Although a vocational school, Athlone Community College will compete in the Leinster Colleges SF 'A' championship next year, bringing Westmeath's representation in the championship to five teams. "We're into the Colleges 'A' championship next year," Forde confirmed. "With a team like this, we think we can put up a good showing and hopefully we will. We needed a big win against Clonakilty because we're making that progression next year, so we're delighted that we've done as well as we did." Who knows, the famous Hogan Cup could be the next piece of silverware to adorn Athlone CC's trophy cabinet . . . The Athlone CC team that retained the All-Ireland Vocational Schools junior football title was: Tomas Moran; James Coyle, Simon Lawless, Eanna MacConmhara; Stephen Lawless, Ronan Killian (0-1), Alan Connaughton; Cillian Broughall, Kieth Waldron; Colin Dunning (1-0), John Connellan (0-3), Cathal McHugh; Ian Coffey (0-3), Donal Shine (0-7), Conor Duignan (0-3). Subs used: Aonghus Hanna, Darragh Lennon, Stephen Keegan and John Egan. Tweet

Most Read Stories