Participation in Sport in Athlone Community College

All students are encouraged to involve themselves in some of the many sporting activities in the College:
Athletics, Basketball (Girls 1st-3rd Year & Boys - Senior), Gaelic Football (Comortas na mBan, Kieran Hunt & Colleges 'A'), Soccer, Hockey (Girls), Rugby, Swimming & Table Tennis.
Under 14 Gaelic Football School of Excellence: Launched in 2011, the School of Excellence has been twinned with St. Pats Academy, Dungannon Tyrone offering a trip to the Ulster academy to further strengthen our Gaelic Football with the aim of building on the fine achievements of our past pupils who won Leinster & All-Ireland titles with our College before representing Roscommon & Westmeath at the highest levels. The College awards five bursaries for Gaelic Football (in partnership with Westmeath VEC, Westmeath & Roscommon Co. Boards) along with the provision of necessary playing gear for all students who partake in the Kieran Hunt Cup.

Gaelic Football

Gaelic Football has a very strong tradition in Athlone Community College with the unique feat of being the sole community college to have won a Leinster 'A' Senior Colleges title in 2008. With strong representation from clubs such as St. Brigids, Garrycastle, Clann na Gael, Athlone, St. Dominics, Caulry, Padraig Pearses among others, it is our aim to improve the player's skill level and enhance the club/school relationship in the hope that students will emerge as been rising stars for their counties. The success of 2008 was the culmination of hard work and effort

Soccer

Roll of Honour since 2000:
U14 Leinster & All-Irenland Champions 2005
U16 Leinster & All-Ireland Champions 2006
U18 Leinster Champions League Finallists 2007
U16 Leinster Champions League Finallists 2008
Leinster Senior Cup Finallists 2010

Former students Tom O'Halloran, Anthony Hayes, Robbie Murray, Stephen Relihan, Garvan Broughhall (former Captain), Ian Coffey & John Connellan have all represented Ireland.

Gaelic Football School of Excellence Initiative 2011

Athlone Community College Gaelic Football School of Excellence-
“Trip to Dungannon a Huge Success”

A trip by the First year and Under 14 Footballers from Athlone Community College to St. Patrick’s Academy Dungannon proved to be an outstanding success on Friday, 21st & Saturday 2nd October; enjoying a week-end of Gaelic Football and social interaction with stops in Cookstown and Newry. The trip forms part of The School of Excellence initiative where Athlone C.C. play St. Patrick’s Acasdemy, Dungannon in a cross border schools competition at First Year and U-14 level. St. Patrick’s Academy has an outstanding tradition in Gaelic Football- in 2008, it was the first school in the island of Ireland to have won the MacRory and Hogan Cups and have representatives on the winning All Ireland Senior and Minor Tyrone Gaelic Football teams before retaining the MacCrory Cup crown in 2009.

Fifty footballers made the journey through five counties accompanied by five teachers: Mr. Chris Forde, Mr. Leo Smith, Mr. Joe Fallon, Mr. Tomas Gilleran & Mr. James McGrath. On Arrival in Dungannon the students were met by All Ireland winning Tyrone footbaler, Ciarán Gourley who gave the entourage a tour of the facilities.

The First years won their game on a 4-09 to 3-04 score line and Captain Lorcan Daly was presented with the inaugural cup. Athlone Community College scorers: Conor Layng 2-3, Aaron Johnson 0-3, Lorcan Daly 1-1, Jack Connaughton 1-0, Ben Troy & Jack Donnelly 0-1 each. The U-14 team were narrowly beaten however after a great game in testing conditions. The initiative has proved to be a great success to date with over 55 students regularly at coaching. On Thursday, October 27th former Director of Hurling at Croke Park, Mr. Paudie Butler addressed all footballers on the theme of “Positive Mental Health: Focus & Sport Psychology”. The next stage is the awarding of bursaries.

Speaking after the trip, Head of Sport, Mr. James McGrath declared himself delighted with the trip: ‘Educationally and socially the benefits of the trip are enormous and we are glad they all enjoyed it’. ‘The entire panel bonded together, played great football and we now eagerly await the return trip by the All-Ireland 2008 Hogan Cup Champions to our school next year’ he concluded.

Other Sports & Training/Coaching Schedule

Rugby: Boys Senior & Junior & First Year: Coach Kieran Sloyan

Hurling: Mr. James McGrath, Mr. Leo Smith, Mr. Eunan Martin

Hockey (Girls): Lunchtime on Fridays with Mr. Rosemary Moran

Athletics: Mr. Michael Lane

Equestrian: Ms. Miriam Hegarty

Gaelic Football:
U14 Mon/Thurs: Mr. James McGrath, Mr. Leo Smith & Mr. Chris Forde
U16: Tues: Mr. Joe Fallon & Mr. Eunan Martin
Senior: Tues/Thurs: Mr. Niall Finneran & Mr. Tomas Gilleran

Soccer: First Year:Tues : Mr. Padraic Lennon
Under 15: Wednesday: Mr. Sean Kerr
U17 : Mr. John Friel