Athlone's cup-winning team honoured with civic reception

There were warm tributes for the Athlone Town senior women's football team, who became FAI Cup final winners three months ago, at a Civic Reception last Friday hosted by Westmeath County Council in recognition of their historic win.

Mary Goldsberry, Administrative Officer of the county council, welcomed the team and their parents, friends and officials of the soccer club to the reception at the Civic Centre.

“The team became a dominant force in Irish women’s football and made history in Tallaght Stadium last November and are a true inspiration to young girls in the county and indeed the country, and I’m sure you’ll definitely influence many young girls to definitely stay in sport,” said the Westmeath County Council official.

Cllr Liam McDaniel, Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council, told the team that he would like to give them “a heartfelt thank you,” from all of the citizens of Westmeath, young and old!

“You had a great final on Sunday 19th November, culminating with a wonderful win over the defending champs, Shelbourne,” said Cllr McDaniel. “It was a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. As an aside, I would like to thank my colleague, Cllr. Frankie Keena who was at the game and kept me updated.”

The Cathaoirleach further thanked all who supported the ladies football team, “not least your families who have supported you from day one, when you started playing football.”

“Without the encouragement and support of families and clubs, sponsors and supporters, we would not be able to stand here enjoying the fruits of your achievements,” said Cllr. McDaniel.

He also paid tribute to the women's team manager, Ciaran Kilduff, and the club Chairman, John Hayden.

“Athlone is the oldest League of Ireland club and have always promoted football in Athlone and surrounding areas, through schoolboys and schoolgirls soccer, all the way up,” said the Cathaoirleach. "I congratulate you all for your hard work and thank you for the way you have conducted yourself on the national stage. Well done and thank you.”

Barry Kehoe, Chief Executive, (interim) of Westmeath County Council also congratulated the Athlone footballers, on their “fantastic achievement”.

“Soccer has always been a massive sport in Athlone and I’m in Westmeath County Council more than thirty years, and I grew up in Wexford, and the two things Athlone was known for was the soccer and the Siege of Athlone,” said Mr Kehoe.

“When I went to college, I made friends with an Athlone man, Martin Quinn, who was a great soccer fan, and I went to many soccer matches here before I came to Westmeath County Council, and soccer has always being part of life in this town and it’s great to see it going from strength to strength, and hopefully the men’s team will soon emulate your achievements.”

He told the ladies that they have put Athlone on the map and the town is a regional growth centre for the midlands.

“It punches above its weight in so many ways and you are part of that in terms of your achievement,” said the Chief Executive.

“Sport is very important and we support clubs in many ways and also try to support minority sport. The important thing is to get girls to continue in sport and they are involved until about 12 or 14 and then the participation falls off. We need to keep girls and boys in sport. You are inspiring and we hope for more. Another season is coming up. I hope you are training hard and we invite you back next year if you manage to hold onto the cup!”

John Hayden, Chairman of Athlone Town Football Club, said it was almost one hundred years since the FAI Cup was last brought to Athlone.

“I want to extend gratitude on behalf of the club to Westmeath County Council and councillors and staff of the council who have been good to work with over the years,” said Mr. Hayden. “I found working in recent times with the council to be a pleasure and something which is conducive to the development of the club as we go forward.”

He said the tenures of people like Michael O’Connor, David Dully and himself was coming towards its end.

“And somebody else will hopefully be standing here in the years to come when we welcome more silverware, but it’s important that we put in place the structures to make sure that will happen,” said Mr Hayden.

He further said the dynamics in the club has changed, as he was sure it was the same with every club in Westmeath and throughout the country.

“The shift is very positive, because everybody changes and adapts, and it is up to us as a committee to change so that we have the right facilities and supports in place,” said Mr Hayden. “This is an historic moment for you and the club. The first time somebody kicked a ball with an Athlone jersey on, was almost 137 years ago to the day.”

He told the council that they may take up the offer of a Civic Reception next year!

“It was a really successful year for us, we won the President’s Cup with the girls, the FAI Cup and again we’ll be playing for the President’s Cup on the 2nd of March, and we extend an invitation to the elected members to attend,” said Mr Hayden, who also paid tribute to former manager, Tommy Hewitt who left in mid-season.

He said that Tommy put a lot of effort into the team prior to leaving.

The presentation of the recognition scrolls by the Cathaoirleach to the ladies team then followed.