Front Row: (left to right) Noreen Treacy, Ann Duffy, Sr. Brid Brennan, Midge Poniard, Fr. Martin O’Grady, Teresa Duane, Breda Coady. Back Row: (left to right) Olive Coady, Sarita Coady, Bernie Duffy, Geraldine Healy, Bernie Poniard, Gretta O'Brien and Eileen Hynes.

Front Row: (left to right) Agnes Haverty, Madeleine Coen, Sr. Brid, Bernie Duffy, Fr. O' Grady, Ann Poniard, Ann Delaney. Back Row: (left to right) Olive Coady, Noreen Treacy, Helen Naughton, Dolores Ryan, Anne Cullinane, Eileen Hynes and Freda Shaughnessy.

Athenry Vocational School Connacht Senior Hurling Champions 1974

Front Row: (left to right) Sean Badger, Michael Murphy, Liam McDonagh, Pheilim Murphy, Stephen Gaughran, Seamus Hynes captain, Christy Divilly, Peter Fahy, Kieran Trowell, Eugene McDonagh. Inset: Team managers: Sean Nolan and Malachy Naughton. ack Row: (left to right) Sean Murphy, Stephen Ruane, Josie Holland, Jarlath Cullinane, Joe Greaney, Kevin Holland, Paddy Trowell, Gerry Kavanagh, John Martyn, and Tom Fahy.

Progress for Senior Team in Championship and Tournament win

The senior hurling team qualified for two tournament finals during the year. In the Carnmore tournament they reached the final with victories over Rahoon and Ballindereen but were unsuccessful against the host club in the final losing by 4-6 to 2-5.

They did well to draw with Ardrahan in the first round of the Oranmore/Maree tournament and made no mistake in the replay winning by 5-10 to 2-10. The final against Moycullen was an exciting affair with plenty of hard but sporting hurling and Athenry holding on at the end for a two point win 1-12 to 1-10. Tony Kelly, Willie Cummins and John Donnellan were Athenry's best defenders, at midfield Gerry Holian and Luke Glynn were impressive with forwards Michael Donnellan, Ray Glynn and P.J. Molloy also doing well.

Team: Pat Kilkelly, Willie Cummins, Noel Kelly, Tony Kelly, Luke Glynn, John Donnellan, Anthony Poniard, Sean Hynes, Gerry Holian, M. Donnellan, Ray Glynn, P J Molloy, Mark Donnellan, Sean Redmond, Jack O'Shea.

As team Captain Gerry Kelly was unable to play the Clada Cup was presented after the game to Vice-Captain Ray Glynn.

Athenry advanced to the quarterfinal of the County senior championship with a five point win over Ballindereen at Kinvara. They lined out without fullback Anthony Freaney who was injured at work a few days earlier and into his place went Gerry Kelly who gave a fine performance. The first half was territorially all Ballindereen's as they were aided by the wind and led 0-6 to 0-2 at the break. At the start of the second half Ballindereen looked far more determined and increased their lead to six points. A goal by Sean Hynes put Athenry back in contention and when Luke Glynn added another there was no holding Athenry.

Best for Athenry were goalie Pat Kilkelly, defenders Gerry Kelly and Anthony Poniard with forwards Michael Donnellan and Luke Glynn also doing well. The Connacht Tribune stated "Athenry appear to have the material for a County championship winning side. In recent weeks they have vanquished teams from many parts of the County and improved with each victory."

Still it was the shock result of the County Senior Championship when Athenry knocked out Turloughmore in the quarterfinal by 2-12to 1-10. Played at Athenry on Lady's Day the game was hard, fast and exciting with the losers who started favourites getting into trouble early in the game when Luke Glynn, Michael Donnellan and P.J. Molloy sent over three great points.

The scores were level at half time and just after the restart Jackie 0'Shea connected on a pass from Michael Donnellan and sent the ball flying past a helpless Turlough goalie. A young Gerry Holian who was playing a blinder for Athenry at midfield was severely grounded and the player responsible was sent to the line by the referee. Molloy sent the resulting free over the bar to increase Athenry's lead but Frank Burke replied with two points before Sean Hession put Turloughmore in front with a goal from a free. It was now anybody's game. P. J. Molloy levelled the scores with an excellent point from play with ten minutes remaining. As the excitement mounted Luke Glynn gathered a pass from Gerry Holian and shot a goal with Molloy adding two more points before the end.

Team: Mark Donnellan, Gerry Kelly, Anthony Freaney, Tony Kelly, Willie Cummins, John Donnellan, Anthony Poniard, P. J. Molloy, Gerry Holian, Michael. Donnellan, Ray Glynn, Luke Glynn, Michael Poniard, Noel Kelly, Jack O'Shea.

Seeking their third championship in a row Castlegar had a comfortable win over Athenry in a poor County semi-final at Kenny Park. Athenry were well beaten in most positions and lacked speed and accuracy. P. J. Molloy tried in vain to get his side going but got little support. At the end Castlegar had twelve points to spare, the final score 3-12 to 0-9.

Galway were well defeated by Kilkenny in the Minor and Senior All-Ireland semi-finals at Birr. Basil Holian played at left half back on the minor side and was one of the few impressive Galway players while P. J. Molloy once again looked the most promising forward in the County scoring five points for the seniors.

The Club's minor team were no match for Turloughmore in the North Board Championship losing by 0-8 to 0-1 in a most disappointing game. The under-21 team, however, again accounted for 'Turlough' in the final at Tuam Stadium winning by 1-6 to 1-4 to capture their fifth title in a row.

Team: Kevin Healy, Stephen Gaughran, Christy Morrissey, Gerry Kavanagh, Albert Glynn, Stephen Murphy, Gerry Kavanagh, Gerry Holian, Gerry Dempsey, Pearse Coffey, Michael Donnellan, John Burke, Tommy Fahy, Martin Caulfield, Michael Kilkelly.

Castlegar also ended Athenry's hopes in the under 21 championship with an impressive 4-11 to 0-6 win at Carnmore.

Camogie side fail to stop Oranmore's ninth Senior Title in a row

Experience told in the end for Oranmore against Athenry in the County Senior Camogie Final at Ballindereen. Winning their ninth consecutive title Oranmore had to call on all their experience and craft to defeat a fast Athenry side. Teresa Duane opened Athenry's account with a point and Midge Poniard added three more from frees before Oranmore got a score. They levelled the scores with a goal and a point but Athenry again dominated the exchanges and at halftime led by 1-7 to 1-2.

Athenry had all the appearances of bringing home the title but a decision to change their full back line proved to be their downfall. Oranmore got through for four more goals in the second half and used all their experience to contain their youthful opponents winning by 5-4 to 1-9. Athenry's best were Ann Dongohue, Midge Poniard, Josephine Coen, Teresa Coen and Ceferina Coady.

Midge Poniard and Ann Donoghue were members of the All-Galway Connacht Camogie team that won the Gael Linn Cup for the second year in succession at Duggan Park defeating Munster by 3-7 to 3-0.