Athlone GAA heritage film portrays deep and enduring bonds

Loyalty, friendship, community, camaraderie. Just some of the words that continually popped up in interviews as part of the Athlone GAA heritage film which had its premiere in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel last Friday night week.

The vital role so many GAA clubs play in rural communities is often eulogised. And with good reason as many of them struggle with meagre numbers and young players moving away for employment opportunities elsewhere.

However, sometimes it’s forgotten the imprint urban GAA clubs make in their communities and Athlone GAA certainly fits into that category as was richly portrayed in the heritage film.

Athlone GAA chairman Fiachra McLoughlin welcomed those in attendance and he talked about the assets of the club, such as its facilities at Páirc Chiaráin and its cohort of volunteers, players and coaches. He added that the club’s illustrious history and heritage are also a major asset.

The heritage film was made in conjunction with Derek Cassells (a local man with strong links to Mount Temple and Tubberclair) and his company, One Print Media.

As part of the project, the following Athlone GAA figures were interviewed: Martin Flynn, Andy O’Sullivan, Matt Scally, ‘Amby’ Fogarty, Joe Finlass, ‘Dobsey’ Prendergast, Niall Lynch, Fr John Roche, Seamus Nugent, Aileen Mulvihill and James Kilroy.

Alan Rigney, a former Caulry player who has been part of the Athlone management team in recent years, conducted most of the interviews.

Fiachra thanked those who helped to organise the night, including Karen Cunningham, Eoin Jordan (current manager of the senior men’s team), Fergal O’Toole (whom Fiachra succeeded as chairman), Mandy Ganly and Niamh Molloy.

Having spoken about some of Athlone’s aspirations for this year, Fiachra asked Eoin ‘Joey’ Jordan to say a few words about the heritage film project.

Eoin explained that when he was reading a book on New Zealand rugby and how they incorporated aspects of Maori culture into their way of doing things, the idea of trying to tap into the history of the club came to him. He picked out some of the recollections from the interviews that were carried out. These included the great Seamus Nugent being told to retake a ‘45’ by the referee only to respond by sending it over a second time off his other foot!

“I wasn’t leaving Cusack Park without that medal,” declared ‘Dobsey’ Prendergast, one of the stars of Athlone’s last Flanagan Cup success in 1998. His mother had died at the young age of 55 a few months previously and he was absolutely determined that Athlone would win that county final in her memory.

Dobsey recalled how the club was good to him and his family in tough times. He said the club helped to keep many young lads “on the straight and narrow”, and he spoke of the mental health benefits of playing team sports.

Speaking with evident passion, Dobsey talked about the “freedom” that playing football gave him, but it also helped to engender traits like discipline and good manners.

Andy O’Sullivan, a tireless worker on the club executive over the years, said the club is on his mind “morning, noon and night”. He felt that staying involved was “good for the mind”.

Martin Flynn, a former team captain and chairman, described Páirc Chiaráin as his “second home”. He regularly calls down to the club with his dog, quipping that his canine companion “probably shouldn’t be allowed in”.

“I could never give back all that I got out of it,” said Martin, whose fierce sense of pride in the club was tangible. “It’s my life,” he said simply, but with deep meaning.

Matt Scally, who had the honour of captaining Athlone to senior championship success, spoke of people such as Kieran Hunt, who did so much for the club but never for their own personal gain. He spoke of the “social service” provided by the club for families. Loyalty and friendship have always been key elements for Matt, who also said he made many friends from other clubs from his ten years of playing for Westmeath.

Joe Finlass, another senior championship winning captain, admitted he found it “hard to explain” what the club means to him from an emotional perspective but it’s a connection he feels strongly.

He pointed to the joy of winning with your friends and the “life lessons” he learned from being involved with the club.

Seamus Nugent was a key figure in Athlone’s six-in-row team from 1955 to 1960 and the victorious team captain in 1958. A hugely popular figure within both Athlone and Garrycastle GAA clubs, Seamus spoke of the enjoyment of playing and recalled scoring a goal against renowned Roscommon goalkeeper Aidan Brady.

“It’s my heart and soul,” said Niall Lynch, who referred to the club’s blue and white jersey as a “powerful symbol of identity”. Niall was fortunate to win five senior championship medals with Athlone, in addition to playing in several more county finals.

Amby Fogarty, a nephew of the great Seam Fogarty, spoke of the club having “a magnetic effect” which kept drawing him back. “You’re forever meeting people and everyone has a story,” he said.

In typically light-hearted fashion, Amby recalled the late Brendan Clarke, then Athlone manager, telling him “to pass the ball to Joe Fallon because he can score and you can’t”.

Aileen Mulvihill said the club has been a big part of her life and she hoped that it would be for her own children as well. Among her happy memories were coaching an Athlone girls’ team to Féile success and the club’s ladies winning the Westmeath junior championship in 2008. Indeed, many of the interviewees spoke of the positive impact numerous women have made to Athlone GAA club.

James ‘Slipper’ Kilroy talked of the importance of “inclusion” and how there is “a place for everybody” within the club. Playing for the club meant everything to James and he couldn’t imagine playing for any other club.

Monsignor John Roche was known to bring an Athlone GAA jersey with him when missionary work took him to Africa and the club always remained close to his heart. He felt a strong sense of “camaraderie” with the club community. When abroad through his work as a priest, John would be asked about life in Athlone. “One of the great things about Athlone is the GAA,” he would often respond.