On Easter Monday 26th April 1886, the Athenry hurlers travelled to Athlone to play Clara from Offaly. They went on the 11a.m. train and arrived in Athlone at 12.30 p.m where they were met by Athlone officials, who took them to O'Connell's in Connaught St. for refreshments. They then formed into a procession and, headed by the Athlone Brass Band, paraded through the streets followed by thousands of people. After crossing the Shannon they were met by the Clara team who joined in the procession. The procession then continued on the Leinster side of the river.

The playing field was splendidly situated beside the Shannon. At 2 o'clock both teams took the field and were greeted with ringing cheers by the large crowd, which had gathered to see the game. The Athenry team looked well dressed in orange and green jerseys, with "Athenry G.A.A. Club" written in green and gold letters, white trousers and green and gold caps. The Claramen wore white jerseys with black trousers and green caps. After the usual preliminaries of crossing hurleys the ball was thrown in, and, after five minutes of lively play, Athenry scored a goal. With plenty of support, particularly from those from the Connaught side of the town, they kept up the pressure and added five points before halftime.

The Offalymen started the second half far more determined and tried hard to score. It was useless, however, against an Athenry team that succeeded in scoring again. Johnny Kelly pulled on a twenty-yard pass from Michael Geogan and sent the ball flying through the goalposts. Athenry won the game with the final score 2-5, to nil.

After lunch at Maddens, both teams visited the historic sights of the town and were told by the oldest inhabitants of a hurling match played almost a hundred years earlier between Connaught and Leinster. Connaught won and brought the ball in triumph through the streets on the Connaught side of the town.

The Clara Captain, P.J. Whyte then presented a beautiful green flag with a harp and shamrock as a token of victory to the Athenry team. They then marched to the station, again headed by the brass band and followed by a large crowd. There they thanked the Athlone officials and people for the great reception they had given them before boarding the train for the return journey to Athenry.

The Athenry team was as follows: M Broderick, fullback; J. Nolan, B. Malone, P. Farrell, quarterbacks; J Kelly (mor), J. Brennan, M. Connolly, P Farrell (Dubh), M. Geogan, half backs; J Clancy, D. Greally, T. Kelly, P. J. Kelly, J. Kelly, T. Loftus, A. Finnegan, F. Healy, T. Connery, M. Higgins, M. Burke, forwards; Patrick C. Kelly captain, John Curran and Michael Mullins, officials.

The Athlone game is important in that it was the first recorded occasion that flags were used to mark the pitch and the goalposts had crossbars. Playing the ball over the bar did not, however, earn a point but a free puck. It was also the first time that a team was named and placed.

The local Press carried a report of a game involving the Athenry hurling team for the first time in April 1886. "The players showed such taste and training-the G.A.A. has taken such a hold on the young blood of the country", was how the reporter described the contest against Kilconieron, and went on to tell the story of the game. Athenry's Mike Burke opened the scoring when he succeeded in sending the ball over the end line, which counted as a point after twenty minutes. Madden played well at full back for Athenry, as did Frank Healy, Patrick Farrell (Dubh), Patrick Farrell (Bán) and Jim Burke. After two hours each side scored only three overs and the game ended in a draw.

This article is from the Athenry GAA website

https://www.athenrygaa.ie/index.php/history-photo-gallery/1884-1886