Part five of Kevin O'Neill's special on Turlough O'Connor has now been added to the 'past players' section. Enjoy!

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday March 29th 2004 are as follows:

29/03/04 - Willie Walsh's, Connaught Street
Numbers drawn were 8, 17, 18, 19

• Match 4 Winners [€4,950] - None.
• Match 3 Winners [€150] - None.
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - Eoin Mannion, c/o Paddy Mannion.

Anyone interested in becoming a selling agent for the Lotto should contact Liam Gaffey on 087 1213147 or email info@athlonetownfc.com. Next week's draw will take place in Higgins' Bar opposite the Garda Station on Barrack Street for a jackpot of €5,100.

Athlone & District Schoolboy League fixtures for week ending Sunday April 4th 2004 are available here.

Congratulations to Saint Francis' John Connellan who has been selected by Vinny Butler for the Ireland Under-16 side that will take part in an International Tournament in Portugal next month.

Hundreds of people turned up over the weekend to bid their final farewells to one of Athlone's most well known and respected natives, Tommy Barclay (54), who sadly passed away at St. Vincent's Hospital, Athlone, last Wednesday night.

Huge crowds gathered at the family home in Parnell Square, Athlone, on Thursday and Friday, and at St. Peter & Paul's Church on Saturday for the funeral Mass, to pay their respects to a noble and well regarded man, and a brilliant sports-man.

Please note the following piece first appeared in the Westmeath Independent on Wednesday March 17th.

Athlone IT, with seven Athlone Town players, won the CFAI Cup for the fourth time last weekend in Tralee.

Athlone Town Under-21 Manager Gordon Brett, first team Assistant Manager Padraig Dully and club captain Tom Silke formed the managerial team, with Trevor Moylan, John Molloy, Damien Rushe, Shane O'Brien, John Conway, Gary McHugh, Eoin Fox taking to the field of play.

Competition favourites DIT were put to the sword in Round 2, losing 4 - 1, before Rathmines College were disposed of in the quarter finals on a 1 - 0 scoreline. That set up a semi final meeting with Letterkenny IT. Click here for Semi-Final and Final match reports.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday March 22nd 2004 are as follows:

22/03/04 - Biddy Mulligans
Numbers drawn were 1, 14, 26, 27

• Match 4 Winners [€4,800] - None.
• Match 3 Winners [€150] - None.
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - Dominic Courtney, 61 Battery Heights.

Anyone interested in becoming a selling agent for the Lotto should contact Liam Gaffey on 087 1213147 or email info@athlonetownfc.com. Next week's draw will take place in Walsh's of Connaught Street for a jackpot of €4,950.

Under-11 Bank of Ireland and Under-13 Leisure World Cups are down to the quarter final stages next weekend. Click here for full fixture list.

Part 4 of Kevin O'Neill's special on Turlough O'Connor has now been added to the 'past players' section of the website. Click here for more.

Details of transfers approved by the eircom League up to and including Thursday March 18th 2004.

Details of First Division transfers only.

Click here for more.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday March 15th 2004 are as follows:

15/03/04 - Careys, Mardyke Street
Numbers drawn were 6, 9, 10, 13

• Match 4 Winners [€4,650] - None.
• Match 3 Winners [€150] - None.
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - The Four of Us, Monksland.

Anyone interested in becoming a selling agent for the Lotto should contact Liam Gaffey on 087 1213147 or email info@athlonetownfc.com. Next week's draw will take place in Biddy Mulligans for a jackpot of €4,800.

Aaron Callaghan was busy in the transfer market ahead of the deadline on Tuesday evening, signing up a number of new players. In come Anthony Fennelly, Jonathan Prizeman, Graham Loughman, Declan Sheridan, Frankie Kilcommins, John McNicholas, Paul Hoey and Anton Reilly.

The 26 man squad now reads as follows: Michael Collins, Damien Rushe, Alan Kelly, Eric Molloy, Steven Gavin, Des Hope, Tom Silke, Robert Shine, Michael Harney, Stephen Kelly, Michael McCann, Niall Donnelly, Anthony Fennelly, Graeme Loughman, Padraig Moran, Jonathan Prizeman, Graeme O'Keeffe, Adrian Murphy, Shane O'Brien, Andy Mullen, John McNicholas, Trevor Moylan, Anton Reilly, Paul Hoey, Jamie Rohan and Frankie Kilcommins.

Player profiles and squad photo will be available soon.

At today's (March 13th) eircom League Annual General Meeting, Declan O Luanaigh was elected Chairman of the eircom League.

It was also decided that the eircom League would revert to a 12-team Premier Division and 10-team First Division for the 2005 season. In order to facilitate this, the team finishing bottom of the Premier Division in the 2004 season will be automatically relegated, while the teams finishing first, second and third in the First Division will be automatically promoted to the Premier Division. There will, therefore, be no promotion/relegation play-offs at the end of the 2004 season.

Turlough O'Connor, one of Athlone's most venerated sporting sons, was a worthy recipient of the first Westmeath Independent/Grand Hotel Sports Stars Hall of Fame Award.

"I'm very, very honoured to be here tonight. It's a great occasion to be on this stage with so many young people just starting out on their sporting careers," said Turlough after he was presented with the award. And Turlough, now based in Dublin, had a few old buddies present on the night to welcome him back to the Midlands.

Saint Francis' re-arranged SFAI Cup match is again the pick of the bunch this week. The game against Belvedere Boys is scheduled to go ahead on Saturday March 20th, with the action kicking off in Fairview Park at 2pm. Best of luck to the lads. Full ADSL fixture list is available here.

Athlone Town wrapped up their pre-season with a 1 - 1 draw away to Derry City last Saturday evening. Derry took the lead in the first half through Michael Holt, but Town equalised in the second half when Adrian Murphy, making his Town debut, beat Pat Jennings in the Derry goal. Full report later. This Friday sees the League kickoff with Town hosting Monaghan United in Saint Mel's Park. Kickoff is at 7:45pm.

Part 3 of the Kevin O'Neill's special on Turlough O'Connor has now been added to the 'past players' section. This week, Turlough remembers the UEFA Cup game against the mighty AC Milan.

Congratulations to Bealnamulla AT's young scoring sensation Jenny Downey, who has been selected for the Irish U-15 squad. After captaining the Connacht Schools team at the Inter-Pro's in Willow Park last week, Jenny can now look forward to representing her country in an International Tournament at Easter.

A report of Bealnamulla's last League game of the season against Longford Town has been added here. Defence of the Bella Pollard Cup begins on Sunday April 4th, when Kilkenny Area team Evergreen provide the opposition. Before then, the girls take on Athlone IT in a friendly in the IT grounds on Tuesday March 16th. Kickoff is at 7pm.

A FAI referee's beginners course will take place on Saturday March 27th, in the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone. The course will run from 10am to 5pm. Speakers on the day will include Darren Combes of the FAI's referee department, Breffni Rowan, John Stacey and Tony Kelly. For more information please contact Darren Combes at darren.combes@fai.ie, Breffni Rowan on 090 6494546, John Stacy on 086 8218914 or Tony Kelly on 087 4103255.

Meanwhile, Brian Kerr's No.2 Noel O'Reilly will be in Town on Sunday March 21st to hold a one off coaching course, specialising in the preparation of teams for tournament situations. Speaking to the Westmeath Independnet, local FAI Development Officer Pauric Nicholson said, "This type of workshop is totally unique. I saw Noel deliver one in Dublin and it blew everybody away. It's based on the preparation of teams for tournaments and I think all managers and coaches will benefit from it," he added. The venue for the course is the Shamrock Lodge Hotel, getting underway at 4pm.

Athlone Town Events Manager Nicky Moran is looking for more people to volunteer as match day stewards at home games. In particular, female stewards are being sought, to attend a training course in April. For more information, please contact Nicky on 087 6974411 or email info@athlonetownfc.com.

We are also looking for people to contribute to Athlone Town's matchday programme, 'The Bit of Blue'. Whether you feel you can contribute every week, or only now and again, please contact Ray Egan on 087 6984451 or email info@athlonetownfc.com.

At today's (March 13th) eircom League Annual General Meeting, Declan O Luanaigh was elected Chairman of the eircom League.

It was also decided that the eircom League would revert to a 12-team Premier Division and 10-team First Division for the 2005 season. In order to facilitate this, the team finishing bottom of the Premier Division in the 2004 season will be automatically relegated, while the teams finishing first, second and third in the First Division will be automatically promoted to the Premier Division. There will, therefore, be no promotion/relegation play-offs at the end of the 2004 season.

Please note that Athlone Town's friendly match against Portlaoise AFC, due to take place in Saint Mel's Park tonight, Thursday March 11th has been called off due to the adverse weather conditions.

Saturday night's final friendly away to Derry City has been brought forward by half an hour, and will now kick off at 7pm in the Brandywell.

The Club are pleased to announce the signing of Adrian Murphy from Longford Town. Playing mainly with Longford's Youths and Under-21's, Adrian made a number of first team appearances, scoring against Shamrock Rovers in the final game of the 2002/03 season. He will most likely make his debut in the friendly against Portlaoise AFC this Thursday night, the action kicking off in Saint Mel's Park at 7:30. Admission is free to all.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday March 8th 2004 are as follows:

08/03/04 - Careys, Mardyke Street
Numbers drawn were 6, 7, 14, 17

• Match 4 Winners [€4,500] - None.
• Match 3 Winners [€150 Shared] - John Murray, Moore; Mark Fitzmaurice.
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - None.

Anyone interested in becoming a selling agent for the Lotto should contact Liam Gaffey on 087 1213147 or email info@athlonetownfc.com. Next week's draw will take place in the Palace for a jackpot of €4,650.

The second part of Kevin O'Neill special on Turlugh O'Connor has now been added to the 'past players' section.

Click here to view.

Best of luck to Saint Francis Under-14's, who play Belvedere Boys in the last eight of the SFAI Goodson Cup this Saturday March 13th in Dublin.

Another attractive fixture this weekend includes a friendly match between ADSL and Roscommon League Kennedy Cup teams in Willow Park on Sunday March 14th. Complete fixture list available here.

• Adult - €10



• Student - €6
  


• Youth - €4
  


• OAP - €3
  


• Accompanied Under-12 - Free
  


• Unaccompanied Under-12 - €3

Please be aware that a new ticketing system will also be in operation this season. Tickets must be purchased in the ticket office before approaching the turnstiles.

Parking spaces within the ground are reserved for referees, players, club officials and those with special needs.

The Senior Team went down by a single Mark Rooney goal in their pre-season friendly against Drogheda United on Sunday afternoon. Click here for more details.

Bealnamulla Athlone Town Ladies all but guaranteed themselves the runners-up spot in the Midlands Senior League on Sunday afternoon when they beat Longford Town 6 - 1 away from home.

Third placed Portlaoise would have to beat the new League champions Eureka United to take away the second spot from the Athlone girls.

With the League complete, attention now moves to retaining the Senior Cup, won in its inaugural year last season.

The Youths played out a 0 - 0 draw away to St Kevin's Boys on Sunday afternoon in the DDSL Under-18 Premier Division.

Membership is now being accepted for Athlone Town's new '400 Club'. Membership entitles one to:

• Free admission to all Athlone Town's home 2004 eircom League and eircom League Cup games.

• Membership of Athlone Town FC

• 10% Discount Scheme - Participating Businesses: Athlone Crystal, Sheffield Jewellers, Keenan Sports, McGorisk's Pharmacy, Revoclife [Home Insurance - New Business Only], Ganly's HomeValue Hardware, Brett's, Liam McCormack Menswear, Dillion Shoes, Peak Physique, Bus Eireann and Michael Heavin Carpets.

• Entry to draw every 2 months for a first prize of €1,000, second prize of €500 and a third prize of a weekend away for two.

Membership costs less than €10 a week and can be paid in one lump sum [€480], or by standing order every month [€40], every 3 months [€120] or every six months [€240].

Application forms are available from any committee member, in Saint Mel's Park on matchday or by emailing info@athlonetownfc.com.

After a long wait, the 2004 eircom League Fixtures List was finally released on Thursday night. Athlone Town will kick off their season with a home fixture to Monaghan United on Friday March 19th.

Before this, Town will take on Portlaoise FC in Saint Mel's Park on Thursday March 11th, before making the long trek up north to take on Derry City two days later on Saturday March 13th. Kickoff on both nights is 7:30pm.

Willow Park Football Club will play host to the FAI Under-14 Ladies School Interprovincial Championships this weekend, March 6th and 7th. The first round kicks off at 10:30am on Saturday morning March 6th, with the second round getting under way at 3:30pm on the same day. The final takes place on Sunday morning at 10:30am. The FAI will also use the event to select the Under-15 side that will take part in an International Tournament at Easter.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday March 1st 2004 are as follows:

01/03/04 - Potters Bar, Irishtown
Numbers drawn were 6, 8, 21, 24

• Match 4 Winners [€4,350] - None
• Match 3 Winners [€150] - None
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - Willie Walsh.

Anyone interested in becoming a selling agent for the Lotto should contact Liam Gaffey on 087 1213147 or email info@athlonetownfc.com. Jackpot now stands at €4,500. Next week's venue to be confirmed.

Please note that Athlone Town's friendly against Drogheda United this Sunday March 7th in Saint Mel's Park, previously advertised for a 2:30 kickoff, will now get underway at 2pm.

The Derry City friendly will go ahead at 7:30 on Saturday March 13th in the Brandywell.

Sorry for any inconvenience caused.

The first team continued their preparations for the new season on Saturday evening, when taking on Dublin City. A 60th minute Killian Brennan goal was all that separated the sides, on a cold February evening. Click here for more.

The Youths went down badly on Sunday afternoon, losing 4 - 1 at home to Drimnagh Celtic, Urlagh Dervan on the scoresheet for Town.

Bealnamulla Athlone Town Ladies' scheduled game away to Longford Town had to be postponed due to a frozen pitch.

Click here for Athlone & District Schoolboy League fixtures for week ending Sunday March 7th.

Graham O'Keeffe has become Aaron Callaghan's fourth close season acquisition, signing from Shamrock Rovers. O'Keeffe played against his old club in the recent friendly between the two sides, and after signing a contract last Saturday, took to the field against Dublin City last Saturday evening. He will fill the void left by Ger O'Brien's move to Kildare County.

Also on trial against Shamrock Rovers, Glen Keddy, will not be offered a contract with Athlone Town.