Athlone CC easily book place in second round

Athlone Community College 0-12 Ardscoil na Trionoide, Athy 0-1 By Kieran Galvin Athlone Community College coasted into the second round of the Leinster Colleges SF 'A' championship with an easy victory over a limited Ardscoil na Trionoide side at AIT yesterday (Friday). The Athy outfit only registered one score over the course of the contest, and it came from a free in the first half by centre-forward Michael Kelly. Athlone CC, winners of the North Leinster league before Christmas, led 0-9 to 0-1 at half-time. In the second half, Athlone became sloppy and the proceedings offered very little entertainment value to those present. The best of the action came in the opening period, with Ballinasloe's Eoin McCormack and attack-minded centre-back Ronan Daly leading the way in the scoring stakes for Athlone. Midfielder Ray Connellan and full-forward Jack Quinn also contributed to the scoreboard with a fine point each. Towards the end of the half, Kenny Dolan was denied a goal by Athy 'keeper Mark Prior, who also made excellent saves from McCormack and Brian Shaughnessy (second half). ACC's second-half points came from Conor Mulry, Eoin Fallon and substitute Killian Bannon. The final whistle probably came as a relief to those assembled on a chilly day in Athlone. Scorers - Athlone CC: E McCormack 0-4 (2f); R Daly 0-3 (1f); R Connellan, J Quinn, E Fallon, C Mulry and K Bannon 0-1 each. Ardscoil na Trionoide: M Kelly 0-1 (f). Athlone CC: E Slevin; M Flannery, M McMahon, K O'Beirne; E Fallon, R Daly, C Mulry; S Farrell, R Connellan; M Darling, B Shaughnessy, E McCormack; Keith Dolan, J Quinn, Kenny Dolan. Subs: K Bannon for Kenny Dolan; E Kearney for Darling; N Kelly for McMahon; C McManus for McCormack; M Donnelly for Daly. Ardscoil na Trionoide: M Prior; N Foley, T Foley, D Farrelly; S May, C Behan, D Hickey; P Connell, P Keogh; R Feely, M Kelly, S McGovern; D Conway, B Daly, M Hyland. Subs: T Martin for Daly; B Kelly for Hickey; J Moran for M Kelly; J Redmond for Conway. Referee: T O'Donoghue (Longford). *Check out the Westmeath Independent next Wednesday for a more detailed report on this game, and see also a report on the Moate CS v St Benildus College match, which Moate won comfortably.