Athlone Town to honour title winning heroes from 1981
by Kevin O'Neill Updated: Wednesday, 12th October, 2011 5:30pm
ON October 29, Athlone Town will see out the 2011 First Division season with a home fixture against promotion chasing Monaghan Utd.
However, most the attention on the occasion will be afforded to the club's special guests on the night - the 1980/81 Athlone Town squad, and management, that famously won the League of Ireland for the first time in the club's history.
News of the former player's visit to Lissywollen marks the 30th anniversary of the famous title win, when Athlone Town (under the shrewd leadership of Turlough O'Connor) saw off nearest challengers, Dundalk, to win the title by six points.
That season, Athlone smashed a number of League of Ireland records, including for the number of league goals scored (67), number of league points accumulated (51, it was two points for a win), and longest unbeaten league sequence (27 games).
Those involved - players, management and committee - deserved to take huge acclaim in 1981, for their style, flair and attack-minded approach won the hearts of many.
The 17 players used by manager Turlough O'Connor (assisted by Jackie Quinn and trainer Paddy Smith) during that huge season for Athlone were as follows: Derek Carroll, Denis Clarke, Tom Conway, Eugene 'Pooch' Davis, Frank Devlin, Stefan Feniuk, Jimmy Jackson, Anthony Keenan (RIP), Noel Larkin, Harry McCue, Mickey O'Connor, Padraig O'Connor, Joey Salmon, Kevin Smith, Mick Smyth, Pat Whelan and Larry Wyse.
The idea for a reunion came from one of the team's three-pronged forward line, Frank Devlin, who formed a lethal attacking alliance with Eugene Davis and Mickey O'Connor.
"I'm looking forward to the occasion very much - and I know the other lads are too," Frank told the Westmeath Independent.
"We had a great bunch of lads with Athlone, and created history for the club. We had some great times at St Mel's Park (Athlone's home ground at the time), and hopefully we'll all enjoy going back to the club in a couple of weeks," he added.
Manager Turlough O'Connor will be in attendance, and his presence alone is sure to garner excitement among local football followers.
Mickey O'Connor, one of a handful of local players at the time, was the youngest member of the panel in 1981 (aged 21).
Looking back, Mickey said: "I feel lucky to have played in that team. We brought great enthusiasm and excitement to the people of Athlone and its surroundings areas - both at home and away. Turlough (Mickey's older brother) encouraged us to play attacking football, and we banged in goal after goal that season. Turlough signed very good players and managed them brilliantly. It will be nice to come back together and mark the occasion of winning the league. I'd like to think those involved with the committee, the likes of Noel Heavey, Michael Kent, Eamon Quinn and Breffni Rowan, will be invited too, for their contribution was as important as the players."
Frank Devlin said he's confident all squad members, apart from Noel Larkin (living in Australia), will be able to attend. It's hoped Stefan Feniuk might return from England for the occasion, but many player's thoughts - including those of close friend Mickey O'Connor - will be with the late Anthony 'Jelly' Keenan on the occasion.
The football club is expected to make an on-field presentation to the squad during half-time in the Monaghan game, and most the squad are hoping to stay overnight in Athlone.
