Promotion to Intermediate Fooball

An injury time point from a free earned Athenry junior footballers promotion to the intermediate ranks and left Renvyle’s dreams of glory in tatters. Four minutes earlier the North Connemara side had scored a crucial goal to take the lead for the first time in the match only to be denied at the death in an entertaining encounter at Clonbur.
There was very little between these sides all through, but two vitally important frees from Athenry goalkeeper Cathal Kilkelly proved the ultimate difference between the sides. Athenry always seemed to have the edge and it was a test of their character that they were able to respond in such a devastating fashion when staring defeat firmly in the face.
In the end, it was Kilkelly’s long range frees which proved vital for Athenry and particularly as he was called up from goalkeeping duties to kick four points – and crucially held his nerve for the find two pressure kicks.
Points from Kilkelly, Gavin Glynn and Aidan Poniard for Athenry came early but they went on to dominate with Declan Byrne scoring two and Poniard adding another. Michael Aspel of Renvyle and Athenry’s industrious David Carroll exchanged scores early on but points from play from Liam Sammon and Tom Nee brought the West Board champions to within a point of their opponents.
Two misses on the trot from midfielder Stephen Henue knocked the momentum out of Renvyle as Athenry once again took a three point lead through Declan Byrne and Cathal Kilkelly. Again Renvyle had to dig deep and Tom Nee reduced arrears and then a high ball from Brian Coyne was well won by Tommy Walsh who was then grounded in the square. A penalty was awarded and Walsh drilled the ball to the net. This put Renvyle a point up with three minutes of normal time remaining but as Athenry advanced in search of an equaliser, the Connemara side conceded frees and Cathal Kilkelly had no problem in this department. Michael Fahy, Sean Judge, Paulie Farrell, David Carroll, John Feeney, Emmet Gaffney, Gavin Glynn, Declan Byrne and Aidan Poniard also contributed a lot to this Athenry victory. Final score: Athenry 0-11 Renvyle 1-7
Athenry: C. Kilkelly (0-4 frees); S. Healy, M. Fahy, B. Higgins; S. Judge, P. Farrell, D. Carroll (0-1); J. Feeney, E. Gaffney; G. Glynn (0-1), D. Byrne (0-3, 0-2 frees), M. Foran; A. Poniard (0-2), R. O’Reilly, J. O’Driscoll. Subs.: D. Collins for Judge; M. Monaghan for Fahy; E. Caulfield for Glynn; C. Quinn for M Foran.

County Minor Hurling Final Thriller

In an excellent county minor hurling final at Pearse Sta­dium St. Thomas’ were put to the pin of their collar to defeat a hugely determined and spirited young Athenry side. The final scoreline does scant justice to the brave efforts of an Athenry side who found them­selves just one point down with nine minutes to play, only to be rocked by two late goals from a team who had squandered a late six point lead 12 months earlier - before losing to Tur­loughmore in a replayed final. This game was supposed to be all about the realisation of a dream for St. Thomas’ and they duly delivered the club's first A title at the grade, but full credit went go to a lively Athenry team who seemed to come out of nowhere during the year. Billy Caulfield's talented youngsters could hold their heads high and learn from the experience. Final Score: St. Thomas’ 2-17 Athenry 2-10.
Athenry: B. Casserly, J. Gibbons, E. Donnellan, N. Gibbons, D. Glynn, C. Burke, G. Moroney, M. Hannon (0-1), T. Flynn, C. Caulfield (0-1), T. Divilly (1-0), J. Divilly, B. O’Brien, L. Madden (0-8, 6 frees) T. Hardiman, Subs: R. Hynes for O’Brien J Carr for Hardiman.