Athy's Soccer Club

In August 1970 Athy AFC, which had been founded 22 years earlier, won its first major soccer trophy when the club’s team defeated Newbridge Rangers in the final of the Ardenode Cup. John Keyes who played that day was 17 years of age and had been selected to play in the final in place of the injured Ernest Henderson. Last week the teammates who won the Ardenode Cup in 1970 and again in 1972 and 1973 came together in Pat Dunnes for a 50th anniversary re-union. It was an evening for meeting old friends and reminiscing on the glory days of Athy’s young soccer club when youthful limbs and high energy levels provided the necessary ingredients for success on the playing field. John, who travelled from Tullamore to attend the function last week, later wrote how for many growing up in Athy in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s soccer dominated their dreams and ambitions. The 1966 World Cup was the springboard which propelled what was previously called the garrison game to the forefront of sport in Ireland. The English players such as Bobby Charlton, Gordon Banks and Bobby Moore were the footballing heroes of the time and the Athy youngsters involved in the local soccer street league enjoyed playing the game of their heroes. I remember many of the Athy A.F.C. club officials of that time, including George Lammon, Frankie Aldridge, Jim Dargan and Brendan O’Flaherty. The soccer pitch at the Showgrounds is today named after Frankie Aldridge who for as long as I can remember encouraged and supported the playing of soccer in Athy. Aldridge Park was previously used by Athy’s hockey club, but when that club went out of existence the ground was leased to the newly formed soccer club. The first soccer match on the Athy grounds was played between Athy and Carlow, with the home team winning by 4 goals to 3. That first Athy team comprised Cuddy Chanders, M. O’Donnell, T. Kiely, J. Walsh, B. O’Flaherty, J. O’Sullivan, G. Kelly, J. O’Donnell, L. Pawelvsych, J. Davis and B. Chanders. It was following in the steps of these pioneering soccer players that the young men of 1970, ’72 and ’73 achieved success in the Ardenode Cup. The gathering in Pat Dunnes brought together many of the players of 50 years ago, but sadly Ambrose Martin, John Barry, George Chatfield, Johnny Hickey, Denis Chanders, Tony Byrne and Walter Clancy are no longer with us. Enjoying the evening were Pat Leahy, John Keyes, Morgan Gray, Cha Chanders, Seamus Clandillon, Noel Myles, Ernest Henderson, Pat Lammon, Colm O’Sullivan, Stephen Bolger, John Bolger and Jack Loughman. Only two past players, Vincent Gray and Joe Foley, were unable to attend the 50th anniversary of Athy A.F.C.’s first major footballing success. John Keyes, in reminiscing about his playing days, identified the street league organised by Jim Dargan, Brendan O’Flaherty and Niall Smith as the means by which excellent players such as Brendan Shortt, Peter Thompkins, P.J. Cooney, Enda Condron, Vincent Gray, Joe Foley, Gerry O’Sullivan, George Chatfield and many others emerged. John acknowledged how soccer brought together young fellows from different backgrounds in the weekly pilgrimage to the Showgrounds which helped each of them improve their personal development and quality of life. Once moment which stood out for John and his teammates was the parade through Athy with the Ardenode Cup following the 1970 victory. The Club’s success that year led to the founding of the Athy and District Association Football Council, representative of Athy AFC and eight newly formed schoolboy clubs. Under the direction of local school teacher Michael Reen and the club’s then secretary Aidan Prendergast, FAI coaching for schoolboy players was organised. It would lead to success in the Sheehan Cup in 1975. Over the 75 years of its existence the club has been helped and guided by many including Matt Tynan who was the club’s first president. Ned Ward, Mick McEvoy, Mick Corr, Mick O’Shea and Bob Kelly are others who come to mind. As a teenager I remember watching Brian O’Hara and Denis Smyth playing with Joe Aldridge, Gordan Prole and Vinny Smith. That was in the days of the G.A.A. Ban when one kept an eye on the soccer matches from the embankment on the adjoining G.A.A. grounds. The aforementioned Denis Smyth was secretary of the club for many years when he took over the position from the club’s first secretary Danny O’Brien. The get together in Paddy Dunnes was a most enjoyable event and brought back treasured memories for the players of the past. I will leave the last word to John Keyes who was the subject of a previous Eye following his retirement as County Manager in Cavan:- ‘The victory in 1970 gave Athy AFC its first cup success, ensuring the club’s place in Athy’s sporting history.’