The official opening of the new FIFA Pro Astro Turf took place on Saturday 16th February with John Delaney CEO of the Football Association of Ireland formally cutting the ribbon. Also part of the official opening were Senator Gabrielle McFadden, Denis Naughton TD who spoke on behalf of Minister Kevin "Boxer " Moran who was unable to attend as, rumor has it, he was giving advice to a certain President who is having some trouble building a wall, Cllr Frankie Keena Mayor of Athlone, Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council Cllr John Dolan, Fran Gavin Competitions Director of the FAI, Donal Traynor Community Finance Ireland, Lt. Col. Oliver Dwyer OC of the Defence Forces in Athlone and the Councillors of the Athlone Districts of both Westmeath and Roscommon County Councils. There was also representatives from the local leagues and many supporters and well wishers and we thank everybody who came along to make this such a wonderful day for the club.

A special word of thanks to Lewis Shaw of League of Ireland Group Chat on Facebook who went out of his way to come down and be with us on this terrific day and also to Mick Farrell and John Foran of Emerald Pitch who were responsible for the installation of this fantastic pitch.

The first order of business was the presentation of medals to our U14 and U16 girls teams who, in a unique double double, had won both their Leagues and Cups in the Midland Schoolboy/girl League and had won the leagues without losing a game!!

I t was then onto the pitch for the official opening ceremony and after speeches from Cllr Frankie Keena Mayor of Athlone, Donal Traynor of Community Finance Ireland, Denis Naughton TD, John Chairman of Athlone Town AFC and John Delaney CEO of the Football Association of Ireland the ribbon was cut be John Delaney

We also want to apologise to, and thank, the U17 teams of Cabinteely and Athlone Town who were very patient with us as they were waiting in the cold to get their match underway as the opening ceremony ran over time.

In a nice bookend to the day the U15 girls team had won their match on the pitch earlier that morning in a home derby game against Bealnamulla Ladies and the U17 Team won their game against Cabinteely, so all in all a great day for the club.

Click HERE for pictures from the day