ronan fagan
Local sporting history was created in recent times when renowned Athlone underage football club, St Francis, contested their inaugural girl's fixture in the Midlands Schoolboygirls League.
The club, which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary, has nurtured and developed two playing squads catering for girls playing at both Under 10 and Under 11 levels. With in excess of 30 girls now playing for St Francis, this is a major positive for the club as it continues to make sporting strides in the local community.
Speaking to the Athlone Advertiser this week, coach, Joe Dunne, noted that the long term ambition for the club is to have girls participating at all underage levels of competition.
"The club recently started our Under 6/7 mini saints group and have up to 10 girls playing at this level which is a positive start.
"The growth of girls football in the club can be attributed to our concentration on player development and allowing children to have fun and make new friends.
"Mickey Collins, John Dooley, Colm Moriarty, Steve McEnroe, Eoin Mannion and Darrell Kelly all play prominent roles in the girls development and they have been assisted greatly by Joanne Mannion, Anne McEnroe, Catriona Lennon and Fiona Corry in their various club capacities.
"We are thrilled to have more women involved with St Francis FC and with ladies football making vast strides, it augurs well for the future of our club," Joe enthused.
