Three in a Row Féile na nGael Titles for Club

A Mark Hardiman point in the second period of extra time secured victory for Athenry over Carnmore in the Toddie Byrne Féile Final at Kenny Park. The winners had pull out all the stops in regular time to level the scores. A marvellous point by Alan Waldron sent a marvellows game into extra time. In a tight encounter the scores were hard to come by and a Shea Hennessy goal just before half time put Athenry ahead at the break.
Carnmore dominated the early part of the second half but points from Shea Hennessy, Ryan O Donnell, Kelvin Langan and the aforementioned Alan Waldron tied the match.
This was a real team performance from Athenry with outstanding performances from Mark Hardiman, Jack Dowling, captain Eoin Lawless, Shea Hennessy and the diminutive Kelvin Langan. Final score: Athenry 1-8 Carnmore 0-10

Athenry: I Dempsey, D Cloonan, R Collins, E Feeney, M Hardiman (0-1), E Lawless (capt), D Carty, S Hennessy (1-1), J Dowling, E Connolly (0-1), A Waldron (0-1) R O Donnell (0-1), K Langan (0-2), J Treacy (0-1) D O Brien, P Feeney, B Haverty, D Briggs, R Jennings, E Laffey, J Naughton, S Forde, E O'Grady, C Fahy and C Page.

Senior Hurling

 The Senior Hurling team defeated Carnmore in their 2nd round Championship game played in Turloughmore. Athenry faced into a strong breeze in the first half but rwo goals from Cian Burke and Mickey Mullins gave them a 4 point lead at half time. Athenry dominated the second half with Mullins and Burke again to the fore picking off some lovely points aided by the freetaking of Ronan Hardiman this saw Athenry win out on a scoreline of Athenry 2-18 Carnmore 0-11

Athenry: J Grealish, D O 'Halloran, D Glynn,I O 'Shea,C Burke, J Divilly, P Hannon,(c), C O Dwyer, C Caulfield, R Hardiman, C Keane, D Fahy, J Carr, M Mullins and C Burke. Subs: C Cannon, E Donnellan, O McLoughlin and S Kelly

At a very well attended Club A.G.M., held in the Raheen Woods Hotel, Chairman Sean Keane reflected on a very busy year on the hurling and football fields. The highlights included the winning of the County Under 14 Div 1 Hurling Feile Final for the third year in a row and the Under 14 Football team winning their Championship. Also the Intermediate Footballers promotion to Division 3 in the league, and the Junior Footballers winning the League.
The Chairman thanked all of the players, coaches, parents and volunteers who helped out during the year.
The clubs involvement in the 1916 National Centenary Celebrations was another highlight of the year. Athenry had a leading role in the Easter Monday celebrations in Athenry where former club man Commandant Frank Flannery read the 1916 Proclamation. The Club also contributed to the hugely enjoyable 'Farm and Country Life 2016' event hosted at Teagasc Athenry.
The Chairman expressed sympathy on behalf of the club to members past and present who were bereaved during the year, in particular to the families of Hon Vice President Paddy Joe Rabbitte, Tom Hanley, Hubert Conway and Tommy Maloney. He also expressed sympathy to the family of the late Mike Dolan (Kilconieron) a well known referee for many years.
Secretary Caroline McLoughlin presented a comprehensive report on both on and off field activities. She congratulated all the players who represented the county and the province during the year and thanked all volunteers who contributed to the smooth running of the club.
Treasurer David Donohue presented a detailed set of accounts for 2016 and thanked all who had contributed to the Club.

Juvenile Club Officers 2016

Chairman: Mark Tully
Treasurer: Jackie Haverty
Secretary: John Cloonan
Vice Chairman: Rob Ruane
PRO: John Cloonan
Child Welfare Officer: Tom Cloonan

Juvenile Annual General Meeting 2016

Chairman Mark Tully opened the meeting. The minutes from 2015 and the 2016 Secretary’s report were taken as read.
Jackie Haverty presented the 2016 Treasurer’s report.
Juvenile Chairman Mark Tully addressed the meeting and said it was encouraging to see so many at the AGM. He said the club had a very successful 2016 having had success in some major competitions.
He thanked all the managers, coaches and volunteers involved with U6 through to U16 in both codes that have given their time and effort throughout the year to make this happen.
He said the success in both hurling and football was very encouraging. In hurling we won the County Féile and the County community games. In football we won U14 Division 2 and U12 Group 5 football leagues. All wins were greatly appreciated by the club. With this success and strong performances for the other Age groups at Semifinal and Final stages of their competitions it puts the club in a good position for the future. For many years the club tried to win the hurling Feile competition and the dream of winning three in a row would not even be discussed. This year that dream came true and it has to be looked at as a major milestone in the club’s history.
He thanked everyone that helped in the fundraising for the Féile and to the mail sponsors Will
and Yvonne Dowling of Dowling’s bar, Seamus Crowe of the District Fitness and any one that made private donations. 2016 again saw Athenry regain the Community games title with a brilliant display of Hurling from the team at both county and All Ireland stages.
Early this year the club ran two courses, one for Child protection that was attended by 28 managers and coaches and the other for First aid in field sport that was attended by one Manager or coach from each under age group. Mark thanked the volunteers that attended these courses and any other volunteers that have attended the GAA foundation and Award 1 course.
He acknowledged the help that was received from the Athenry senior GAA club committee, county delegates Robbie Ruane (Hurling) and Brendan Burke (Football), Pitch coordinator
Sean Keane, Newcastle Community Centre; Pearse Mulhall (with facilitating us with their pitch), Joe Kelly, Mick Crimmins, Tom Cloonan and Mike Hession for their help with organizing the TY’s coaching at the local schools. All the volunteers that helped at the Joyce’s and church gate collections. The Sean McGovern school of Hurling again this year was a great success. Mark thanked Anne and Sean Keane and everyone that give their time in coaching the children at this event and Joyce’s 365 Supermarket for sponsoring the event. He went on to acknowledge Bus Eireann and Stephen Duane for the support that they have showed the club again this year and wished Stephen Duane all the best in his retirement.
Mark thanked the secretary John Cloonan and treasurer Jackie Haverty for their support and help throughout the year. He thanked the parents of the 300 members of the juvenile club for the dedication they have shown to the club throughout the year. Without their commitment none of this could happen. He thanked the lads that represented us at county level, Eoin Caulfield, Cillian Lawless, Noel Keogh, Jack Mc Cullagh, Shane Quirke, Paddy Rabbitte, Donal Parr, Eoin Lawless, Jamie Treacy, Mark Hardiman, Shea Hennessey, Ruairi Collins and Dara Noone.
Finally as he is not going forward as chairperson this year I would like to wish the club all the best for the future. He said he enjoyed his time both at coaching and as chairperson and would encourage more parents to get actively involved with the club.
The election of 2017 officers was as follows: Chairman: TBC, Treasurer: Jackie Haverty; Secretary: John Cloonan; Vice Chairman: Rob Ruane; Pro: John Cloonan; Child Welfare Officer; TBC