Athlone boys crowned Féile Division 1 champions
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Athlone’s Cian Mannion carries the ball forward during last Sunday’s Westmeath Féile U15 football final. Photos: Derek Union. Derek UnionImage 2 of 3
Athlone goalkeeper Michael Union punches the ball clear against The Downs.Image 3 of 3
The Athlone team, Féile Division 1 winners. Back row, l-r: Evan Martin Cummins, Adam Webb Cunningham, Gabriel Gospodarcyk, Luke Clarke, Michael Union, Sachin Sundaresan, Michael Cunningham, Kian Mannion, Daniel Donegan, Aodhan Fallon, Arron Kiernan, Kian Hardy, Fionn Macken. Front, L-R: Eoghan Silke, Ferghal Kelly, Conor Johnson, Frank Pettit, Harry Cunningham, Killian Coughlan, Youssef El Hadidy, Sam Gunning, Thomas Walsh and Conor Kennedy. Missing from photo: Jack Costello.Athlone U15 boys were crowned Westmeath U15 Féile Division 1 champions when they overcame strong challenges from two very skilful and determined teams in The Downs and St Loman’s at Páirc Chiaráin on Sunday last.
The success means Athlone will now represent Westmeath in the John West National Féile in Derry at the end of June.
In truth, there was very little to separate the three teams competing in Division 1 with all the games decided by a single score. Athlone overcame St Loman’s by 1-5 to 1-3 in the opening match before accounting for The Downs by a single point, 1-4 to 0-6, in game two.
The Downs then edged out St Loman’s to book their place in the final and a rematch against Athlone.
Played in glorious sunshine in front of a sizeable crowd, both sides deserve great credit for a high quality and entertaining final. Athlone led for most of the match and enjoyed a seven-point advantage with five minutes remaining.
However, in typical Downs fashion, the visitors fought back and the gap was just three points when the final whistle sounded as the hosts held on to win by 2-4 to 1-4.
But for some heroic saves from goalkeeper Michael Union, including a penalty save, the result might well have been different. Athlone GAA congratulates all the players and management and thanks to everyone who helped out in Páirc Chiaráin on the day to make the event such a success. All roads now lead to Derry on Saturday, June 27.
Athlone panel: Michael Union, Luke Clarke, Sachin Sundaresan, Cian Mannion, Frank Pettit, Harry Cunningham, Daniel Donegan, Fearghal Kelly, Conor Johnson, Thomas Walsh, Adam Cunningham Webb, Fionn Macken, Aodhan Fallon (captain), Michael Cunningham, Aaran Kiernan, Conor Kennedy, Youssef El Hadidy, Gabriel Gospodarczyk, Sam Gunning, Cillian Coughlan, Yassin El Harouny, Kian Hardy, Evan Martin Cummins, Jack Costello.