1997 History & Photo Gallery

1997 Athenry GAA History

Athenry All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Champions 1997
Front Row: (left to right) John Feeney, Brian Higgins, Brian Feeney captain, Michael Crimmins, Pascal Healy, Eamon Keogh, Cathal Moran. Back Row: (left to right) Eugene Cloonan, Pat Higgins, Aidan Poniard, Paul Hardiman, Gerry Keane, Brendan Keogh, Joe Rabbitte and Brian Hanley.

Players and Supporters on the steps of the Hogan Stand

Ten years after winning their first county senior hurling championship title, Athenry, before a record attendance of 35,000, won the A.I.B All-Ireland club hurling title at Croke Park on St. Patrick's Day. It was a landmark day in the history of the Club when Brian Feeney led his teammates up the steps of the Hogan Stand to receive the Tommy Moore Cup, following his side's defeat of Clare's Wolfe Tones by 0-14 to 1-8. The threshold of greatness was eventually crossed and years of expectation were finally brought to a glorious conclusion. After a decade of notable achievements at all levels of the game, the final chapter was complete in one of the great success stories of hurling in the county. It was a thrilling and richly deserved victory. Athenry were superior in virtually every position on the field, yet it was hard to credit that only a puck of the ball separated the sides at the end. The game was full of emotion and intensity, with some outstanding scores and superb passages of play.

A yearning to complete the final piece of a remarkable jigsaw of hurling success - the annexation of the All Ireland club title, and take their place in the roll of honor alongside Sarsfields, Kiltormer and Castlegar was finally achieved. Having done it all from under age to senior at county level, this team desperately needed to leave their mark at national level. It was never going to be easy. Under the guidance of P J Molloy and his mentors, that unflinching objective saw them endure more than their fair share of anxious moments during the year. The almost obsession - like drive for victory was evident in the player's commitment to every aspect of the team's preparation and that sheer will-to-win spirit was evident from start to finish in the final.
As with any All-Ireland winning side, Athenry were not short in the hero department, and nobody exemplified the spirit of the team more than Pascal Healy. His dominance of the midfield area and ability to win possession in tight situations was invaluable. When he retired injured with eight minutes left, he had made his greatest ever contribution to Athenry hurling. Pitted against the great Brian Lohan, eighteen year old full forward Eugene Cloonan scored nine points, including two 65's that were lifelines to his side at crucial stages and proved to be the scores that eventually sank the Munster champions. Michael Crimmins had a faultless hour between the posts and his impeccable handling all through was vital. Wingbacks Paul Hardiman and Brian Higgins were tireless workers, played with great confidence, and figured highly in the Athenry honours list. All seventeen players and team management of P. J. Molloy, Pat Nally, Martin T. Kelly, Tom Howley, Paddy Conway, Jack O'Shea and club officials had played their part to make a great club dream come true.
There might have been some foreboding in the Athenry camp in the build up and on the day of the All-Ireland semi-final clash with Camross at Thurles. The weather was horrendous but there wasn't even the slightest hint of deviation from their charted course. High winds, driving rain and numbing cold made no difference to their ambition to reach the All-Ireland Club Final on St. Patrick's Day. With an impressive performance, they powered their way to a 4-17 to 3-3 victory over the Leinster Champions.

Two first half goals kept the Laois side's hopes alive but on each occasion Athenry replied with points from Eugene Cloonan, Joe Rabbittee and Donal Moran. The decisive score of the half came just before the break when a speculative shot from out the field by Brian Hanley deceived the Camross goalie Tom Lowry and dropped into the net. That score gave Athenry a fairly comfortable 2-11 to 2-2 lead at the break even though they had to face the howling elements in the second half.
They set the tone of things to come when Donal Moran crashed home another goal two minutes into the second period. Camross replied with a similar score, but points by Eugene Cloonan, Brian Hanley and the impressive Donal Moran kept Athenry in control. The game was put beyond Camross in the forty-seventh minute when Eugene Cloonan, after a pass from Donal Moran, hit the net for another Athenry goal. From there to the end it was all Athenry and the Connacht Champions never relented until the final whistle.
Jim Carney in The Herald wrote “such was the sheer magic of Athenry's play and commitment, teamwork and tactical appreciation, the awful conditions didn't matter. It was a joy and a privilege for lovers of hurling to have been in Semple Stadium on Sunday”.
The livewire Brian Higgins caught the eye in a solid defence with Gerry Keane and Paul Hardiman also doing well. Midfielders Pascal Healy and Brendan Keogh got on top in the second half but it was up front that the difference between the sides was most pronounced. Joe Rabbitte was outstanding throughout the game but it was the full forward line that did most of the damage. Eugene Cloonan, Donal and Cathal Moran between them accounted for 3-13 of their side's total in a splendid exhibition of forward play.
Team: Michael Crimmins, Eamonn Keogh, Gerry Keane, John Feeney, Brian Higgins, Brian Feeney, Paul Hardiman, Brendan Keogh, Pascal Healy, Joe Rabbitte, Pat Higgins, Brian Hanley, Donal Moran, Eugene Cloonan, Cathal Moran. Subs: John Hardiman, Eddie Brady.
There were times during the Final on St. Patrick's Day at Croke Park when the pressure of winning a first All-Ireland Club title seemed to be taking its toll. Early jitters in the defence during the first half and a shock 4th minute goal for Wolfe Tones rocked Athenry, while in the second half seventeen wides could have been costly and left the door open until the end for the Shannon side. Yet the winners second half display was magnificent and for most of the time they were in complete control. The dominance of the defence during that period was a key factor. In front of the confident Michael Crimmins, the full back line of Eammon Keogh, Gerry Keane and John Feeney finished strongly. Brian Feeney and Brendan Keogh stormed into the game after the interval, while Pat Higgins and Cathal Moran willingly grafted hard all through. Joe Rabbitte played his heart out though tightly marked by the Wolfe Tone's defence, while Brian Hanley and Aidan Poniard, who scored a splendid point in the second half, had their moments. Long serving John Hardiman blended well after replacing the injured Pascal Healy and Eddie Brady played his part too, coming on after forty-five minutes.
Pat Higgins got Athenry off to a great start after just 15 seconds with a point from play following good work by Cathal Moran. The industrious corner forward added a point and was fouled following a throw in, after an incident involving Eugene Cloonan and Brian Lohan. The Athenry man pointed the free before Derek Collins finished a long ball by Sean Power to the Athenry net. Two quick points from Paul Lee and Paul Keary raised the Munster champion's spirits during their best spell of the match. With the wind in their favour, the Tones failed to build the type of advantage they clearly needed at the break. Athenry showed that they were not in a generous mood; a rousing 50-metre point by Pascal Healy after a sequence of play involving several players sent their supporters wild. Eugene Cloonan collected a long ball from Paul Hardiman on the left wing and levelled matters after 22 minutes with a classic point from play. The Shannon side went ahead again with a point by Frank Lohan, but another Eugene Cloonan point from a free had the sides level at half-time, 0-8 to 1-5.
Wolfe Tones had reason to believe they were still very much in the match and their defence seemed to be more than a match for the Athenry forwards. All along, however, Pascal Healy was making a major impact at midfield and Eugene Cloonan was on his game from play and frees. He opened the scoring in the second half with a point from a well taken '65' and, after some deplorable shooting by Athenry, added another great score from play this time from the right wing. The Galway champions despite their wastefulness, never looked like losing and began to dominate with an inspirational display from a resolute defence led by team captain Brian Feeney. Another pressure point from a '65' by Eugene Cloonan and a volley by Aidan Poniard left the Tones with a mountain to climb. They edged closer with free from Paul Keary. As the winning post loomed it was no place for the faint hearted, but Brian Higgins steadied his team with a smashing point from play and ice cool Eugene Cloonan added another to give his side a four point lead.
Yet the final minutes were nerve wrecking as the huge Athenry crowd roared on their team and prayed that on this occasion nothing would go wrong. As the seconds ticked away and the margin was reduced to three points, everyone knew Wolfe Tones only needed a lucky shot at goal to level the game. The realization of a long cherished dream- to win an All-Ireland Club title- for players, club officials and supporters was now at the discretion of referee Dickie Murphy with time up. Athenry people in Croke Park, throughout the country watching on T. V. and all over the world listening to the radio were about to savour the sweet taste of victory. The emotion of that glorious moment- the final whistle- will never be forgotten.
Brian Feeney acknowledged the collective effort it had taken to achieve success in his victory speech after receiving the cup from G.A.A. President, Jack Boothman. Before a sea of maroon and white, he thanked all the players and in particular the team management and called for an individual cheer for each of them. Athenry's loyal and dedicated followers responded as he listed them off - Paddy Conway, Tom Howley, Martin T Kelly, Jack O'Shea, team trainer Pat Nally and especially team manager P. J. Molloy. He went on to thank the officers of the Club, Noreen Hanley, the Hurling Board for their support, sponsors and supporters. He paid tribute to the late Tom Callanan and not forgotten were Anne Barrett, Michael John Quinn, Eamonn Whelan and Christy Kelly who, the captain said, were the club's most loyal supporters who passed away during the year. He remembered too to mention the 1988 team manager Bobby Gardner who was unable to attend the game because of an illness.
The satisfaction and sense of achievement was evident in a crowded Athenry dressingroom as the players and team management reflected on the Club's greatest ever victory. “It's been a long campaign and a big commitment for everyone but today has made everything worthwhile. I couldn't have asked more from the panel of players, my selectors, and trainer, the club and supporters. This has been a real team effort from everyone involved.” said P J Molloy. Brian Feeney said that the pace of the game in the first half was faster than he had ever encountered at club or county level . “I felt confident at half time - we had the wind behind us for the second half and the scores were level. I know we were missing chances but we were playing well in the second half all through the pitch. We never let up over the 60 minutes and got the reward in the end. To captain an All-Ireland winning club team is just something really special.”
Full back Gerry Keane said he could not remember very much about the Wolfe Tones goal but it only strengthened his resolve to do well. “Maybe we might have been a bit edgy early on but I felt we got stronger and stronger as the game wore on. It was a bit worrying that we didn't put them away, but I never felt that we were going to lose it.” Paul Hardiman said that before the match everyone had their minds made up to go flat out for the 60 minutes. “It was a very fast game but I think that we stuck the pace better than Wolfe Tones. We were still full of running at the very end - it was one we weren't going to lose.”
Midfielder Brendan Keogh said that Wolfe Tones really put it up to them in the first half but that Athenry had come to Croke Park expecting a hard match. “They threw everything at us in the first half yet we were level at the break having played against the wind. It's a day an awful lot of people involved with the Athenry club have waited a long time for. I suppose it's all a player could ask for- to win an All-Ireland club medal on St. Patrick's Day.”
Eighteen year old Eugene Cloonan who scored nine points and received the man-of-the-match award in his first senior championship season said that he always felt that Athenry were the better team and paid tribute to the backs in the second half. “The scoring responsibility might have fallen on me but when the rest of the team was playing so well I didn't fell under any pressure. I knew I was going to hit the target with the frees - they have been going well for me and going straight over. It was a tough game but they are always the ones worth winning.”
There was great reception for the squad as they arrived back to Athenry at the head of a cavalcade of cars. They transferred to an open-topped bus and made their way to the square where they were given a rousing welcome when introduced to the crowd. Captain Brian Feeney presented the Tommy Moore Cup to young and old who turned out in huge numbers to greet their heroes and acknowledge their wonderful success.
Celebrations began in earnest and there was an extra spring in the step of Athenry people everywhere on a never to be forgotten St. Patrick's Day.
Team: Michael Crimmins, Eamonn Keogh, Gerry Keane, John Feeney, Brian Higgins, Brian Feeney, Paul Hardiman, Brendan Keogh, Pascal Healy, Joe Rabbitte, Pat Higgins, Brian Hanley, Aidan Poniard, Eugene Cloonan, Cathal Moran. Subs: Edward Brady, John Hardiman.
“If there was ever any doubt that the people of the Parish failed to appreciate their achievement on St. Patrick's Day, it was buried in the ashes of a thousand fires” wrote Club President Fr. Tony King in the Athenry Journal. He was referring to the parish tour on Friday, 11th April by the team and officials. For over three hours the cortege made its way through every corner of the parish. Young and not so young turned out, as fires lined the route, to acknowledge their local champions. A wonderful and fitting end to a chapter in the story of Athenry GAA and indeed - a night of a thousand fires.
It could have been the shock of the year as Mullagh, who only a few weeks earlier avoided relegation, gave the champions a fright in the opening game of the championship at Ballinasloe. Athenry failed to make much progress against a solid Mullagh defence and were guilty of wastefulness in front of their opponent's goal.
Leading by a point at halftime their rock solid full back line of Eamonn Keogh, Brian Feeney and John Feeney gave little away while at the other end points by Joe Rabbitte, Eugene Cloonan and Aidan Poniard put their side in front and they held on for a 0-12 to 0-9 victory. Athenry outclassed Abbeyknockmoy in their next game at Turloughmore and recorded a facile twenty-eight point victory 5-15 to 0-2.
They continued their unbeaten run against Gort at Ardrahan but were given a few anxious moments by a very committed South Galway side. The game followed the expected trend for most of the first half as Athenry slowly but surely opened a 0-9 to 0-2 lead as halftime approached. With their hopes fading Gort got a badly needed injection when Jarlath Kearns struck for a goal just before the break.
In the second half, led by Ollie Fahy, they battled on gamely but Athenry just did enough to win by 0-16 to 0-9. They were well served by goalkeeper Patrick Hession, Brian Feeney until injured, the Keoghs, Brian Higgins, Pascal Healy, Brian Hanley, Joe Rabbitte and Eugene Cloonan.
Team: Patrick Hession, Eamonn Keogh, Brian Feeney, Diarmaid Cloonan, Brian Higgins, Brendan Keogh, Paul Hardiman, Pascal Healy, John Hardiman, Cathal Moran, Pat Higgins, Brian Hanley, Eugene Cloonan, Joe Rabbitte, David Donohue. Sub: John Feeney.
Athenry advanced to the county semi-final with a 2-11 to 0-11 victory over Carnmore at Clarinbridge in a contest which provided plenty of talking points for the large crowd. In the opening quarter the title holders scored an impressive 2-4 which provided the platform for victory. The game was marred by the sending off of Athenry's inspirational defender Brian Feeney, who was one of three players ordered off by referee Andy Murphy. Also sent off were Carnmore's Martin Connell and, late in the game, Michael Killilea. While Brian Feeney and Martin Connell could complain about their early exit from the game other protagonists were lucky to stay on the field.
An unimpressive Athenry hung on for a well earned victory that failed to inspire confidence for the stiff challenges ahead.
A good start in the county semi-final, was truly half the battle as keen rivals Sarsfields went on a scoring rampage in the first half to open a 2-8 to 0-5 lead at halftime. The large crowd at Duggan Park expected a competitive struggle for supremacy between two of the top teams in the county. They were not disappointed in the second half with Athenry storming back into contention. Inspired by defenders Paul Hardiman, Gerry Keane and Brian Higgins with Brendan Keogh, Joe Rabbitte and Pat Higgins caused endless problems for the opponents. A Pascal Healy goal narrowed the gap to two points with as many minutes left to play. Sarsfields held their nerve and an Aidan Donoghue free gave them breathing space in a hectic finish. Surprisingly referee Michael Bodkin blew the final whistle with the ball in the air from an Athenry free. Sarsfields were deserving winners, but the late defection from the Athenry team of John Feeeney with an injury and Brian's unavailability because of a suspension clearly disrupted Athenry in the early stages and proved costly.
Team: Michael Crimmins, Eamonn Keogh, Gerry Keane, Paul Hardiman, Brian Higgins, Brendan Keogh, Shane Donohue, Aidan Poniard, Pascal Healy, Brian Hanley, Pat Higgins, Joe Rabbitte, Cathal Moran, Eugene Cloonan, Donal Moran. Sub: Eddie Brady.
Athenry minor hurlers failed to win their clash with favourites Turloughmore in the County Final at Ballindereen by 0-14 to 1-8. Played on a greasy pitch, the failure of Athenry's forwards to take their scoring chances proved costly with only David Donohue making any impression. They were unlucky not to snatch a late draw when Cian Burke's shot went inches wide of the Turloughmore posts. David Glynn, Diarmaid Cloonan and Kevin Higgins played well in the Athenry defence but it just wasn't their day.
Team: Paddy Gannon, David Glynn, Diarmaid Cloonan, Derek Carroll, Kevin Higgins, Kevin McCarthy, Tomas Kelly, Shane Donohue, Maurice Dempsey, Michael Morrissey, Cian Burke, David Casserly, Michael J. Quinn, David Donohue, Kieran Flannery. Subs: Brian Farrell, Martin Coffey.
Galway's runaway victory over Roscommon in the Connacht Final was marred by an injury to Joe Rabbitte, who which provided the platform for victory. The game was marred by the sending off of Athenry's inspirational defender Brian Feeney, who was one of three players ordered off by referee Andy Murphy. Also sent off were Carnmore's Martin Connell and, late in the game, Michael Killilea. While Brian Feeney and Martin Connell could complain about their early exit from the game other protagonists were lucky to stay on the field.
An unimpressive Athenry hung on for a well earned victory that failed to inspire confidence for the stiff challenges ahead.
A good start in the county semi-final, was truly half the battle as keen rivals Sarsfields went on a scoring rampage in the first half to open a 2-8 to 0-5 lead at halftime. The large crowd at Duggan Park expected a competitive struggle for supremacy between two of the top teams in the county. They were not disappointed in the second half with Athenry storming back into contention. Inspired by defenders Paul Hardiman, Gerry Keane and Brian Higgins with Brendan Keogh, Joe Rabbitte and Pat Higgins caused endless problems for the opponents. A Pascal Healy goal narrowed the gap to two points with as many minutes left to play. Sarsfields held their nerve and an Aidan Donoghue free gave them breathing space in a hectic finish. Surprisingly referee Michael Bodkin blew the final whistle with the ball in the air from an Athenry free. Sarsfields were deserving winners, but the late defection from the Athenry team of John Feeeney with an injury and Brian's unavailability because of a suspension clearly disrupted Athenry in the early stages and proved costly.
Team: Michael Crimmins, Eamonn Keogh, Gerry Keane, Paul Hardiman, Brian Higgins, Brendan Keogh, Shane Donohue, Aidan Poniard, Pascal Healy, Brian Hanley, Pat Higgins, Joe Rabbitte, Cathal Moran, Eugene Cloonan, Donal Moran. Sub: Eddie Brady.
Athenry minor hurlers failed to win their clash with favourites Turloughmore in the County Final at Ballindereen by 0-14 to 1-8. Played on a greasy pitch, the failure of Athenry's forwards to take their scoring chances proved costly with only David Donohue making any impression. They were unlucky not to snatch a late draw when Cian Burke's shot went inches wide of the Turloughmore posts. David Glynn, Diarmaid Cloonan and Kevin Higgins played well in the Athenry defence but it just wasn't their day.
Team: Paddy Gannon, David Glynn, Diarmaid Cloonan, Derek Carroll, Kevin Higgins, Kevin McCarthy, Tomas Kelly, Shane Donohue, Maurice Dempsey, Michael Morrissey, Cian Burke, David Casserly, Michael J. Quinn, David Donohue, Kieran Flannery. Subs: Brian Farrell, Martin Coffey.
Galway's runaway victory over Roscommon in the Connacht Final was marred by an injury to Joe Rabbitte, who which provided the platform for victory. The game was marred by the sending off of Athenry's inspirational defender Brian Feeney, who was one of three players ordered off by referee Andy Murphy. Also sent off were Carnmore's Martin Connell and, late in the game, Michael Killilea. While Brian Feeney and Martin Connell could complain about their early exit from the game other protagonists were lucky to stay on the field.
An unimpressive Athenry hung on for a well earned victory that failed to inspire confidence for the stiff challenges ahead.
A good start in the county semi-final, was truly half the battle as keen rivals Sarsfields went on a scoring rampage in the first half to open a 2-8 to 0-5 lead at halftime. The large crowd at Duggan Park expected a competitive struggle for supremacy between two of the top teams in the county. They were not disappointed in the second half with Athenry storming back into contention. Inspired by defenders Paul Hardiman, Gerry Keane and Brian Higgins with Brendan Keogh, Joe Rabbitte and Pat Higgins caused endless problems for the opponents. A Pascal Healy goal narrowed the gap to two points with as many minutes left to play. Sarsfields held their nerve and an Aidan Donoghue free gave them breathing space in a hectic finish. Surprisingly referee Michael Bodkin blew the final whistle with the ball in the air from an Athenry free. Sarsfields were deserving winners, but the late defection from the Athenry team of John Feeeney with an injury and Brian's unavailability because of a suspension clearly disrupted Athenry in the early stages and proved costly.
Team: Michael Crimmins, Eamonn Keogh, Gerry Keane, Paul Hardiman,
Brian Higgins, Brendan Keogh, Shane Donohue, Aidan Poniard, Pascal Healy, Brian Hanley, Pat Higgins, Joe Rabbitte, Cathal Moran, Eugene Cloonan, Donal Moran. Sub: Eddie Brady.
Athenry minor hurlers failed to win their clash with favourites Turloughmore in the County Final at Ballindereen by 0-14 to 1-8. Played on a greasy pitch, the failure of Athenry's forwards to take their scoring chances proved costly with only David Donohue making any impression. They were unlucky not to snatch a late draw when Cian Burke's shot went inches wide of the Turloughmore posts. David Glynn, Diarmaid Cloonan and Kevin Higgins played well in the Athenry defence but it just wasn't their day.
Team: Paddy Gannon, David Glynn, Diarmaid Cloonan, Derek Carroll, Kevin Higgins, Kevin McCarthy, Tomas Kelly, Shane Donohue, Maurice Dempsey, Michael Morrissey, Cian Burke, David Casserly, Michael J. Quinn, David Donohue, Kieran Flannery. Subs: Brian Farrell, Martin Coffey.
Galway's runaway victory over Roscommon in the Connacht Final was marred by an injury to Joe Rabbitte, who was knocked unconscious early in the second half. Play was held up for 10 minutes as an ambulance came onto the pitch to take him to hospital. The injury ruled him out of the Galway team for the All-Ireland quarter final against Kilkenny and he was badly missed. Ina classic game, D J Carey inspired his side with a memorable display at Semple Stadium, Thurles and victory for the Cats by 4-15 to 3-16. Eugene Cloonan and Brian Feeney were members of the Galway team.
Galway minor hurlers shocked Tipperary in the All-Ireland semi- final at Croke Park. Eight points down entering the final 10 minutes, they made a dramatic comeback to record a 2-9 to 0-14 victory. Diarmuid Cloonan who played at full back and David Donohue who came onto the side, scoring a vital goal, were central figures in Galway’s comeback.Clare denied Galway All-Ireland glory when they won their first ever minor title by 1-11 to 1-9. Another spirited comeback was not enough on this occasion.
Cork won their 100th All-Ireland title when their under 21 side recorded a 3-11 to 0-13 victory over Galway at Thurles. Eugene Cloonan scored 8 points with Brian Higgins coming on in the second half.
Twenty years after winning as a player, P.J. Molloy was honoured again by the Galway Sports Stars Committee with his selection as manager of the year. He demonstrated his managerial capabilities when steering Athenry to All-Ireland success.
Athenry under-14 camogie players made history by winning the Division 1 Feile na nGael competition at Waterford. Hosted by Buffers Alley of Wexford, they defeated the home side in their opening game, Drom-an-Inch, Portlaw and Butlerstown to reach the final against Wexford’s Rathnure. Points by Mary Keogh, Rosemary Naughton and a goal by Sarah Donohue gave their side a 1-2 to 0-3 lead at the break. Mary Keogh got her side off to a good start with three quality points before Sharon Quirke sealed victory with a brilliant goal. Athenry’s best players were Fiona Coffey, Gillian Murphy, Alice Poniard and Martina Molloy in defence. At midfield Emma Costello, Darelle Coen and especially Regina Glynn were excellent. All six forwards scored on a great occasion for the Club. Joe McDonagh presented the cup to Mary Keogh after the game.

All-Ireland Club Hurling Semi-Final winners over Camross

Front Row: (left to right) Donal Moran, Cathal Moran, Brian Higgins, Michael Crimmins, John Feeney, Pascal Healy. Back Row: (left to right) Eugene Cloonan, Eamonn Keogh, Joe Rabbitte, Paul Hardiman, Brian Feeney, Gerry Keane, Pat Higgins, Brendan Keogh and Brian Hanley.

All-Ireland Club Final Panel with Team Management and Club Officials

Galway All-Ireland Junior Hurling Champions 1997

1997 Athenry GAA Photo Gallery

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