Athlone CC U-17 soccer team: Team of the Year finalist

Athlone Community College enjoyed a very memorable 2023-2004 campaign in girls’ soccer, winning two Leinster titles and reaching the FAI Schools Junior Girls National Cup final.

Athlone CC defeated Loreto, Kilkenny 3-1 in the Junior (U-17) Girls Leinster Cup final, the goals coming from Ciara Walsh, Caoilfhinn Brett and team captain Hazel Donegan. But the Athlone side was also indebted to goalkeeper Ella Naughton, who pulled off a remarkable save when the teams were tied 1-1.

ACC then went on to overcome Presentation SS, Thurles by the same 3-1 scoreline in the National Cup semi-final. Athlone had lost to Presentation, Thurles in the Senior (U-20) National Cup semi-final on penalties, but the ACC junior team came out on top when the schools renewed rivalry.

Presentation College, Athenry claimed a 2-1 win over Athlone CC in the Junior National Cup final, played at the Athlone Town Stadium. Ciara Walsh’s goal wasn’t enough to turn the game around after the Galway side had led 2-0 at half-time. Mollie Noone and Abbie Duffy scored the goals for a strong Athenry side.

Both Leinster Cup winning Athlone CC squads were coached by Edel Menton, a teacher in the school. Having won two Leinster titles, Edel understandably described it as “a great year for girls’ soccer in our school” when reflecting on the Junior National Cup final afterwards.

“Hopefully we can drive on and use this heartbreak in next year’s campaign. No doubt the girls will be back again. The seniors lost to Presentation Thurles on penalties (in the National Cup semi-final) and they beat Buncrana in the final, that shows the fine margins. I suppose to be within a whisker of two All-Ireland ‘A’ cups is no mean feat,” said Edel.

Athlone Community College panel

Ella Naughton, Roisin O’Brien, Rebecca Keenan, Ciara Walsh, Juliet Shine, Caoilfhinn Brett, Caitlin Gavin, Aoife Walsh, Hazel Donegan (captain), Aoife Holohan, Lily Finneran, Róisín Ní Chluaid, Alison Nugent, Aoife Minnock, Sally Ann Joyce, Mai Hennelly, Jane Byrne.

Results summary

FAI Schools Junior (U-17) Girls Leinster Cup - Athlone Community College 5 Sacred Heart, Tullamore 4; Athlone CC 8 Coláiste Chiaráin, Leixlip 2; Athlone CC 4 Tullamore College 3; Athlone CC 6 St Vincent’s, Dundalk 2.

Junior Girls Leinster Cup final: Athlone CC 3 Loreto, Kilkenny 1.

National Cup semi-final: Athlone CC 3 Presentation SS, Thurles 1.

Junior Girls National Cup final: Presentation College, Athenry 2 Athlone CC 1.

The other Team of the Year finalists are St Brigid's GAA senior football team and St Joseph’s FC under-16 team.

The Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards 2024 takes place at the Shamrock Lodge Hotel on Thursday.

The Team of the Year category at the Westmeath Independent Community & Sports Awards 2024 is sponsored by Action Physio.