Club History: Junior Final 1971

Junior Final 1971 JUNIOR FINAL 1971 TANG 0-13 ATHLONE 2-04 The Junior Final was played on Sunday, 19thth September and that day became a historic one as Tang won their first championship final ever. Almost everyone in Tang travelled to the match. Liam Fox stayed at home to guard the bonfire which was rebuilt atop the windmill at The Pigeon’s. Some jokers had set it alight on Saturday night. It was a marvellous sight on both nights. In the first minute Athlone got off to a great start with a goal. Tang replied with a point but Athlone rocked Tang by netting again. Tang’s sideline and supporters were very despondent after these two shocks on the field, however the players rallied and were only trailing by a point at halftime. Athlone scored on the resumption and it took Tang an agonising ten minutes to equalise. From then on, it was all Tang and they would have won more easily but for the valiant efforts of the Athlone fullback line. It was a proud moment when Tom Flanagan hoisted the Carmelite Cup. After a meal Tang travelled home in a cavalcade. The Three Jolly Pigeons was flying that night. (extract from Glimpses from the Past, Tang G.A.A 1987)