Westmeath IFC Final:
Athlone 0-11 Tubberclair 0-9

Athlone captured their first ever Westmeath Intermediate football championship title and in so doing returned to the senior ranks at the first time of asking following last year's relegation, when they accounted for neighbours Tubberclair by a two point margin in Cusack Park.  While the game was never a classic, it was a full blooded encounter between two very committed teams that built up to a gripping finale and was undeserving of a lot of the criticism that it attracted.

Athlone started the stronger of the two sides and dominated the early possession, but some uncharacteristic poor finishing meant that they had five wides on the board before they eventually opened the scoring after seven minutes with a Ray Connellan point.  This was cancelled out shortly afterwards by a Tubberclair point after Fergal Murray had been dispossessed coming out of defence, but Connellan restored The Blues' lead from a free.  Tubberclair had come much more into the game at this stage but, fortunately for Athlone, they had their own problems taking their chances and kicked several wides.  Instead, after a long scoreless period, Noel Mulligan doubled the lead from a free after Athlone turned over at hop ball near the opposition goal that they had initially lost.  Ray Connellan stretched the lead further with a superb point from the right sideline after substitute Sam Omukoru (on the for the injured Matty Darling) had done brilliantly to regain possession and older brother John Connellan completed the first half scoring with a typically neat finish to leave Athlone leading by 0-5 to 0-1 as the teams went to the dressing rooms.

Given their own experience in the semi-final, Athlone knew that it was nowhere near job done and so it proved when Tubberclair halved the deficit with two fine points from play in the opening minute of the second half.  Roving wing-forward Stephen Ward did well to gather the ball and finish under pressure from several defenders to open Athlone's second half account, and the same player added another, with a Tubberclair point in between, to make the score 0-7 to 0-4 with 20 minutes remaining.  The men in Green and Gold then enjoyed their best spell of the game with three scores to bring the sides level as the match entered its final quarter, and the roar from the stand that greeted the equaliser made it clear the hopes of the majority of neutrals were with the underdogs.  Ray Connellan pushed Athlone back in front from a free, but that was quickly matched by a similar score from Tubberclair.

With being able to come back to draw level after scoring only once in the first half, and with the crowd behind them, it seemed that Tubberclair had the momentum needed to push on and win the game, but instead it was Athlone, who introduced experienced campaigners Joe Fallon and Mickey Greene to the forward line, who regained the initiative.  Firstly, a patient move across the forward line led to Ray Connellan restoring their advantage, which was extended two minutes later by another classy John Connellan score.  The Athlone forwards were getting more space as the game wore on and another good move led to a free, which was coolly converted by Joe Fallon to put three between them.  Gary Connaughton did well to save a goal-bound Mickey Greene effort that would surely have put the game beyond Tubberclair, and when a long range effort bounced over the Athlone crossbar to leave two between them with two minutes remaining, the result was back in doubt, especially when three minutes injury time was announced.  Athlone then put their supporters through hell with some questionable short and backwards passing in their own half as they attempted to run down the clock.  This led to a turnover which in turn led to a final Tubberclair chance when they won a free 40 yards out from the Athlone goal.  Fortunately there was not enough time remaining for two attacks so they were forced to play it short in the hope of creating a goal chance.  Disciplined defending from virtually the whole Athlone team meant that they were unable to force a clear cut opportunity.  Instead a speculative effort from distance was safely gathered by keeper Darren Costello, who was brought down as he tried to run the ball clear.  The subsequent free was the final act of the game and Athlone had held on to win their first Westmeath Intermediate title on a scoreline of 0-11 to 0-9.

Scorers Ray Connellan 0-5, John Connellan 0-2, Stephen Ward 0-2, Noel Mulligan 0-1, Joe Fallon 0-1.
Athlone: Darren Costello, Eoin Maher, Damien Kelly, Fergal Murray, Daniel Lynam, Noel Mulligan (capt), Matty Darling, John Stapleton, Ray Connellan, Stephen Ward, Jordan Marshment, John Egan, Dermot Bannon, Paul Bannon, John Connellan.
Subs Used: Sam Omukoro, Michael Greene, Joe Fallon, Dylan Lynch.

U21 Championship
Athlone 3-13 Tubberclair 2-12
Our U21 team began their championship campaign when they overcame defending champions Tubberclair in a thriller in Páirc Chiaráin on Saturday evening.  Despite a superb start, Athlone were pushed to the pin of their collar by the holders and it took a great second half rearguard action before the victory was secured.

Athlone came flying out of the blocks and had a dream start when Ryan Gaffey goaled in the first minute. The same player added a fine point soon after, before Charlie McMickan increased the lead when he finished a great team move with another well-taken point.  A minute later, a brilliant through ball by young midfielder Danny Reid released Gaffey, whose typically cool finish stretched the lead to eight.  The interplay of the small but skilful Athlone forwards was a joy to watch throughout the game and, after another flowing move had been halted illegally, McMickan added the free to leave the home side 2-3 to 0-0 ahead after 10 minutes.

Gradually the bigger and physically stronger Tubberclair team began to get on top around the middle third and they got back into the game with a close-range goal after a long ball in had taken  a cruel bounce in front of Conor Devaney.  One minute later, a high ball from a free found its way to the net after more confusion in the home defence and the visitors were right back in the game.

The home side were under a lot of pressure at this stage as Tubberclair dominated possession and began to take their chances after some wayward early shooting, but fortunately the home forwards were very sharp when they did get their hands on the ball and great points from Richie Greene, Ray Connellan, Charlie McMickan and Danny Reid meant that the held on to lead by the minimum, 2-7 to 2-6, after a thrilling first half.

Athlone started the second half brightly when Richie Greene neatly finished off a nice move straight from the throw-in, but the hosts were rocked when midfielder Jordan Marshment was sent off a minute later, after an incident near the sideline.  The 14 men responded well, with another McMickan free, but three consecutive Tubberclair points brought the sides level with 20 minutes remaining.

The momentum appeared to be with the Green and Gold against the 14 men, but, just as in Sunday's Intermediate Final, Athlone responded well to being pegged back.  An Aidy Byrne point put them back in front, and this was followed almost immediately by a Connellan free, before the subsequent kick out was won in midfield and sent back in to Byrne, who got behind the defence to score Athlone's third goal.  This left the Blues leading by 3-11 to 2-9 with 45 minutes played.

Tubberclair dominated possession for the final quarter, but, due to some superbly disciplined defending by the extremely hard-working Athlone full-back and half-back lines, they only had two further points to show for their efforts as the game entered injury time.  A Ray Connellan free that stretched the lead to four points after 61 looked like being the insurance score, but there was still time to be played after Tubberclair pulled back a point on 64 minutes.  Eventually a Connellan free in the 68th minute put the game out of reach of the visitors and left Athlone the victors on a scoreline of 3-13 to 2-12.

Team: Conor Devaney, Jack Ruane, Danny Lynam, Eoghan O'Reilly, Shane Galvin, Stephen Ward, Shay Byrne, Daniel Reid (0-1), Jordan Marshment, Tadhg Prendergast, Charlie McMickan (0-4), Ryan Gaffey (2-1), Aidy Byrne (1-1), Ray Connellan (0-4), Richie Greene (0-2).  Subs used: Fionn Dowd, Tommy McCoy.  Unused: Sam Omukoro, Matty Darling, Conor Melinn, Neil Scally, Kieran Rigney.

Lotto Results:
There was no winner of this weeks €2,850 jackpot.
The numbers drawn were 4-13-14-28.
There were 3 match 3 winners.
Eamon Maher c/o Teresa Small.
Jane Fahy-Staunton c/o Seamus Downes.
Eamon Maher c/o Bingo.
This weeks jackpot will be €3,000.

Gaelic 4 Mothers & Others:
G4m&o is on every Monday from 7 to 8pm. New members always welcome! Contact Trisha Jordan at 086 1751167 or come along any Monday.

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.

Vote of Sympathy:
The Nugent Family, Garrycastle.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anam.

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