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The clubs achievements for l995 have been a mixed bag compared with 1994 when the club made history by winning the under—14, under-16, minor, under-21 and senior hurling championships.

In the hurling side of the club this year the under-13 team reached the final of the Fr Joe Walsh tournament, the under-14 reached the quarter final stage and the under-16 were beaten by Loughrea in the semi-final. Our minor team are now eagerly awaiting the county final which they reached by beating Loughrea in a tense and hard fought semi-final. They will meet the winners of the semi-final between Castlegar and Portumna. The under-21 team have still not started on their campaign. The junior “B” side are still in contention.

The senior team were disappointingly beaten in the quarter finals. Club member Eugene Cloonan received the “Sports Star of the Week” award in October in the Connacht Tribune. The club is well represented on the county teams with Kieran Flannery and Cian Burke on the panel for the under-14 side, Diarmaid Cloonan, David Donoghue and Shane Donoghue on the panel for the under-l6 side, John Feeney and Richard Brady on the panel for the minor side, Donal Moran on the panel for the under-21 side and Joe Rabbitte , Brendan Keogh, Cathal Moran and Gerry Keane on the panel for the senior side.

The Juvenile teams are under the guidance of Tom Cloonan, Sean McGovern and Paddy Kelly. The under-16 team are ably catered for by Mixie Donohue, Tom Cloonan, Sean McGovern and Paddy Kelly. The minor team have P. J. Molloy, Tom Howley, Mike Burke, Paddy Conway, Martin T. Kelly and Declan Higgins putting them through their paces while the under -21 team have Pascal Healy and the minor selectors. Dermot Monaghan, Juno Barrett and Paddy Gannon look after the intermediate and junior teams. The senior team is in the charge of Jackie Shea and Noel Kelly. All managers and selectors deserve many thanks for their continuous commitment and dedication to all teams. In the football side of the club this year, the minor football team won the minor “B” championship by beating Kilconly in a very hard and tough fought game. The under-21 team were knocked out in the early stages of their competition and the junior “B” team were beaten in the semi-final of the North Board championship by Kilconly. Great praise must go to the mentors of the football teams for their commitment over the years – Roy O’Brien, John Connolly, Sean McGovern, Tom Cloonan and Paddy Kelly.

One of the highlights of the year was the club’s involvement with the Festival Committee in staging the “Melia Construction Old Time Hurling Competition”, which was a huge success.

The executives are: Chairman, Peadar Monaghan; Vice-Chairman, Eamonn Keogh; Secretary, Kerrill Hanlon; Assistant Secretaries, Billy Caulfield and Martin T. Kelly; Treasurer, Michael Quinn; PRO, Leo Coffey; Committee, Ann Treacy; Ita Sheridan; Brian Hanley; Eddie Treacy; J.J. Kelly; and Tom Cloonan.

The executive committee of the club would like to thank the supporters who have followed all the teams throughout the year. We would also like to thank all who purchased and sell Lotto Tickets each week. There have been many winners since it started 18 months ago, with the largest jackpot of £4,500 being won by Mrs. Margaret Lyons of Árd Aoibhinn, Athenry.

The club was deeply saddened by the sudden demise of two very staunch members and supporters Paddy Egan and Joe Corbett in September. May they rest in peace!

In an exciting revival of eighteenth century hurling “The Melia Construction Tournament” was held during the Medieval Festival in Athenry. Lord Christopher Kelly’s team captained by Michael Morrissey were victorious, although the leading scorer in the tournament was John Coll, originally from Castlegar, with a score of 1 goal and 2 points was not part of the winning team.

A large crowd attended and cheered on the four teams taking part. The rules were at times bent and as Martin T. Kelly the commentator said at one stage “the rules of the game are that there are no rules”. The teams consisted of mixed age groups from 16 to 60. The captains of the other teams competing were: our local King John Joe Brady, under Lord Frank Brody of Prospect; Bertie Burns of Newcastle under Lady Nora Loughnane of Shudane; and Tommy Madden of Derrydonnell under Lady Ita Sheridan of Mountgarrett.

Many thanks to all who took part and the many supporters.

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Written by Leo Coffey

Published here 09 Feb 2021 and originally published November 1995

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