I am reliably informed that a little piece of sporting history was made last week as the Roscommon Leisure Centre hosted its first ever local water polo derby as two young Athlone sides crossed the Shannon to take part in U-13 challenge matches against local Roscommon teams.
While the sport may have been new to Roscommon town, the Athlone first team were certainly no novices and had just competed at the All-Ireland U-13 Water Polo tournament in January. They were to prove a little too strong for Roscommon despite Brian O’Connor raising the roof for the home side with four goals.
There were good home performances from Michael Crowley, Ruth Cunningham, Bertie Satchwell and Zita Waldron, whilst Pierce Fannon, Faye Satchwell and Aisling Faughnan were impressive in front of goalies Luke Fannon and Theo de Abreu.
The Athlone forwards, Ross Brennan and Nathan Ward, who both attend school in Roscommon, were to have the last laugh, as they fired Athlone to victory.
Roscommon gained revenge in the second game though as they beat the Athlone side with three goals from Sean Fannon, two each from Conor Paisley and Harry Waldron and one from Eliza Glennon. Zita Waldron, Pietro Tavares, Odin Fallon, Ciara Lally, Aisling Faughnan and Luke Fannon were also in impressive form.
This is clearly just the beginning for these young water polo players and training continues in Roscommon Leisure Centre on Sundays from 4.30 pm to 5.30 pm for kids aged 8-14 and on Tuesdays from 9-10 pm for adults. New members are always welcome!
