The Athlone Town Supporters Race Night, scheduled for December 5th 2003 has been pushed back by one week.

It will now take place on Friday December 12th 2003 at 9pm in Wards Bar, Baylough.

Horses are still available for just €20 by ringing 090 6494736.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday November 24th 2003 are as follows:

24/11/03 - Biddy Mulligans, Irishtown
Numbers drawn were 3, 10, 17 & 23

• Match 4 Winners [€2,400] - None
• Match 3 Winners [€150] - Keely Foran , c/o Eddie Francis
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - None

This Tuesday night, November 25th 2003, a very attractive challenge game will be played in Saint Mel's Park when the Irish Under-16 International team play a Midlands Under-16 selection.

This game was originally scheduled for Nonvember 11th but inclement weather forced its postponement.

Two locals lads, John Connellan of Saint Francis, and Conor Jordan of Saint Joseph's are members of the International team and are expected to feature prominently in the game.

This fixture provides the people of Athlone and surrounding areas with a great opportunity to view the young, up and coming football talent in the country and to see at first hand the fruits of all the labour of all the hard working voluntary people involved in the ADSL. The action gets underway at 7:30pm.

Congratulations to Cormac Harney of Saint Joseph's, who won the 2003 Half-Time Penalty Shoot-Out Competition last Friday night. Cormac went back up against Saint Comans' Shane Henry after they could not be separated in the original final.

Saint Francis' Lee Gaffey was back in goal and made three good saves in the special five round competition. With all penalties on target, that extra save against Shane made Cormac the 2003 Champion.

Congratulations to Cormac, and commiserations to Shane, but again a big thanks to all those who took part in the competition over the season - providing great entertainment at half time.

A 90th minute goal from Thomas McGauley was enough to give Dublin City an undeserved three points last Friday night in Saint Mel's Park. Athlone had taken the lead after 4 minutes when Padraig Moran shot past Robbie Horgan for this third goal in as many games. City levelled matters before half-time through Robbie Farrell before McGauley fired home from a corner in the 90th minute.

Bealnamulla Athlone Town Ladies were due to play Portlaoise last weekend, but due to a 'flu bug in the Bealnamulla camp, they game could not go ahead. Portlaoise rather unsportingly asked for all three points, which the League were obliged to give. Next up is a visit from Eureka United on Sunday afternoon.

The Youths had an off day last weekend when they went down 2 - 1 away to Leicester Celtic. Midfielder Anthony Hayes looked to have salvaged a point for Town with 15 minutes remaining, but as in the first team's match at the weekend, a last minute goal from the opposition was to leave them with nothing.

A big day today for Athlone Town Football Club. In the afternoon, An Taoiseach, Mr Bertie Ahern T.D. will officially turn the sod on the Club's new 5,000 seater stadium at Lissywollan - after years of having a 'proposed' new stadium.

In the evening, Athlone have the chance to put a huge dent in the title aspirations of Dublin City. The Vikings currently lead the division by three points with just two games to go. A win on Friday, with Bray Wanderers and Finn Harps picking up anything less than full points in their respective games, will give the Dubliners their first ever senior title.

The draw for home venue in this season's eircom League promotion/relegation playoff final was made at Monday night's (November 17th) meeting of the eircom League Management Committee.

As a result, the winners of the First Division 2nd place versus 3rd place semi-final will be at home in the first leg of the final against the winners of the Premier Division 9th place versus First Division 4th place semi-final.

The following suspensions were issued by the Disciplinary Commission at their meeting on Wednesday, 19th November 2003 and will take effect as and from Wednesday, 3rd December 2003 unless otherwise stated:

No Athlone Town players named in the latest suspensions list.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday November 17th 2003 are as follows:

17/11/03 - O'Neill's, Mardyke Street
Numbers drawn were 7, 12, 22 & 24

• Match 4 Winners [€2,250] - None
• Match 3 Winners [€150] - Jack Ryan , Curraghmore, Kiltoom
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - None

The next draw will take place on Monday November 24th 2003 in Biddy Mulligans. Remember, there is a guaranteed winner every week in Athlone's biggest and best Lotto, so get your numbers in now.

Athlone Town recorded their first away win of the season on Saturday night when they overcame basement side Kilkenny City in a rather drab affair at Buckley Park.

Bealnamulla Athlone Town Ladies brushed aside the challenge of Longford Town on Sunday afternoon last, running out convincing 7 - 0 winners.

Bealnamulla now top the table, two points ahead of Eureka United of Kells.

Athlone Town Youths made it a clean sweep of victories for the Town sides in action over the weekend, as they overcame Pearse Rangers by two goals to one on Sunday afternoon.

Rangers took the lead from the kickoff, as Athlone passed the ball around their own box and paid the penalty.

From there on however, it was all Athlone. Goals from Ian McLaughlin and Kevin Hogan gave Athlone a 2 - 1 halftime lead, but it could have been so much more.

A little lack of composure in front of goal, along with 3 chances off the woodwork and 4 or 5 great saves from the Rangers' 'keeper determined the scoreline would remain 2 - 1.

For the last twenty minutes the Dublin side pushed forward looking for the equalising goal, but Athlone held on well to claim another League victory in the Dublin District Schoolboy League Under-18 Premier Division.

After the Final was called to a premature end, albeit after seven rounds of sudden death, Cormac Harney of Saint Joseph's and Shane Henry of Saint Coman's will meet again to decide the 2003 Penalty Shoot-Out Competition this Friday night.

Both players displayed some excellent penalty taking in the Final, giving the talented Saint Francis 'keeper Lee Gaffey no chance.

Best of luck to both as they bid to become the 2003 Half-Time Penalty Shoot-Out Competition Champion.

FLAG DAY

Thanks to everyone who supported our Annual Church Gate collection last weekend.

BEST WISHES

Congratulations and best wishes to the Reilly, Comber and Dully families on their recent new arrivals. Plenty of stars of the future there for Athlone!

The following suspensions were issued by the Disciplinary Commission at their meeting on Wednesday, 12th November 2003 and will take effect as and from Wednesday, 26th November 2003 unless otherwise stated:

Stephen Gavin (Athlone Town) suspended for ONE (1) eircom League match as per FIFA directive and fined €50 as a result of being sent off v Limerick (02.11.03). Suspension already served.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday November 10th 2003 are as follows:

10/11/03 - The Shack, Dublin Road
Numbers drawn were 8, 12, 14 & 23

• Match 4 Winners [€2,100] - None
• Match 3 Winners [€150 Shared] - Paddy Moran, Connaught Gardens and 'The Four of Us', Monksland
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - None

Martin Reilly receives the Texoil Player of the Month Award for October from Nicky Moran. Pic: Padraig Devaney.

Athlone Town's top scorer this season, Martin Reilly deservedly picked up the Texoil Supporters Club Player of the Month Award for October on Friday night last. Reilly has picked up 7 goals from only 19 starts since arriving at the Club in midseason.

A number of those seven goals have been superb and he probably deserves the award for his wonder goal against Kilkenny City alone.

His striking partner Michael McCann also picked up his award for September on Friday night.

McCann and Reilly have formed a great partnership up front, so much so, that they have so far locked Padraig Moran out of the starting line up, up front.

Congratulations to both on their awards.

The Grand Final of the half-time penalty shoot-out competition took place during the break of Athlone's last home game against Sligo Rovers.

Through to the Final were Cormac Harney of Saint Joseph's, Adrian Ward of Ballinasloe and Shane Henry of Saint Coman's. Lee Gaffey of Saint Francis was once again in goal.

All three converted their first attempt, but with Gaffey pulling off a good save from Ward's second attempt, and then the Ballinasloe lad putting his third shot wide, Cormac Harney and Shane Henry converted all three, bringing it to sudden death.

The two lads converted penalty after penalty in the most entertaining round of the competition. The popularity of the competition could be in no doubt, when the Sligo squad emerged early from the dressing rooms, only to be greeted with a wave of jeers and boos as the competition was still on going.

After seven rounds of sudden death, competition co-ordinator Breffni Rowan blew his whistle to declare Cormac Harney of Saint Joseph's and Shane Henry of Saint Coman's joint winners of the 2003 Penalty Shoot-Out Competition.

Well done to both, and a big thank you to all those who participated in the competition and provided such great entertainment over the course of the season.

Athlone Town recorded their biggest win of the season on Friday night, when they overcame old foes Sligo Rovers 3 - 0 in Saint Mel's Park.

The night was one to remember for Padraig Moran, as he got his first and second goal for his hometown club, against his former club. Moran pounced in the 9th and 90th minutes, sandwiching Eric Molloy's freak 25th minute goal.

Athlone Town Youths bowed out of the Leinster Youth Cup on Sunday afternoon, when they went down 3 - 1 to Saint Francis in Baldonnel.

Three goals down in the opening twenty minutes, Athlone went on to dominate the rest of the match, but couldn't make their dominance count. A number of good chances were spurned, as Athlone showed their Dublin opponents they were well able to play football.

Town pulled one back through Anthony Hayes, making a run from midfield to connect with a cross from the left, looping the ball over the Saints' 'keeper.

While a disappointing result, Athlone showed on the day that their footballing ability is right up there with the best Dublin has to offer - a little bit of mental weakness in the opening stages costing them the tie.

Bealnamulla Athlone Town Ladies' eagerly awaited top of the table clash against Eureka United, due to be played on Sunday afternoon was called off.

Elsewhere, Portlaoise FC beat Longford Town 3 - 2 to close the gap to Bealnamulla to two points.

The following suspensions were issued by the Disciplinary Commission at their meeting on Wednesday, 5th November 2003 and will take effect as and from Wednesday, 19th November 2003 unless otherwise stated:

Michael Collins (Athlone Town) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined €25 as a result of reaching four (4) penalty points.

Wes Byrne (Dublin City) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined €25 as a result of reaching four (4) penalty points.

November 21st 2003 will be a day to remember in the history of Athlone Town FC. On that day, An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will officially turn the sod on the Club's new stadium development at Lissywolan, Athlone.

The Supporters Club annual Race Night will be held on Friday December 5th 2003 in Wards Bar, Baylough. The sale of horses has begun and the finest animals are available for the pricely sum of €20. our Race Night has over the years proved to be one of our most enjoyable and successful nights out so why not get in on the action and add tha little extra bit of interest by purchasing or taking a share in a horse.

Contact 090 6494736 for more details.

Next Tuesday night November 11th 2003, a very attractive challenge game will be played in Saint Mel's Park when the Irish Under-16 International team play a Midlands Under-16 selection. Two local lads, John Connellan [Saint Francis] who has established himself as a regular at this level, and Conor Jordan [Saint Joseph's], who has also featured previously at this and will be members of the Irish squad and both are expected to feature prominently in the game.

Both players are a credit to their respective clubs and their mentors and for the Athlone & District Schoolboy League to have two players representing their country at this level is a major achievement for what, in comparative terms, can be considered a small league. This fixture provides the people of Athlone and surounding areas with a great opportunity to view the young, up and coming football talent in the country and to see at first hand the fruits of all the hard working voluntary people involved in the ADSL.

It is not often an opportunity like this arises in this part of the country, so make a point of getting down to Saint Mel's Park next Tuesday night. Kickoff is at 7:30pm.

The following suspensions were issued by the Disciplinary Commission at their meeting on Wednesday, 29th October 2003 and will take effect as and from Wednesday, 12th November 2003 unless otherwise stated:

Shane Jackson (Athlone Town) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined €15 as a result of reaching four (4) penalty points.

David Dunphy (Kilkenny City) suspended for ONE (1) competitive match and fined €40 as a result of reaching eight (8) penalty points.

Athlone Town Supporters Weekly Lotto Draw details for Monday November 3rd 2003 are as follows:

03/11/03 - Potters, Irishtown
Numbers drawn were 11, 19, 23 & 26

• Match 4 Winners [€1,950] - None
• Match 3 Winners [€150 Shared] - Neil Costello, Bonavalley and Mick Lennon, Drum
• Consolation Prize Winner [€100] - None

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Longford Town on winning their first ever senior trophy, by capturing the FAI Cup in Landsdowne Road recently.

CONDOLENCES

The Club wishes to express it's sincere condolences to the Cleary family on their tragic loss of Sean Cleary last weekend.

FLAG DAY

The annual church gate collection will take place in Athlone on the weekend of November 15/16 2003. Your support would be greatly appreciated.

The first team went down 4 - 3 away to Limerick on Sunday afternoon. Three goals down on two occassions, the Town just left it too late, scoring in the 90th minute through Mick McCann. Martin Reilly scored his 6th and 7th goals of the season either side of the half time whistle.

Bealnamulla Athlone Town Ladies set up a top of the table clash against Eureka United this weekend, when they overcame last years League champions Portlaoise by a single goal at One Direct Park last Sunday afternoon.