Sources: FAS Teamwork Scheme 1989-1992

Leader; Mrs. Marie Fahy

Scheme Sponsors: Athenry Project Society

The first mention of the De Wetts (Derrydonnell F.C.) is between the years 1899 and 1901 as local papers failed to report any matches involving Athenry teams during 1899 and 1900.

1905 – 1906

During 1905 – 1906 the De Wetts football team won 5 county titles. The De Wetts got their name from General De Wett whom many Connaught men fought for in the South African Boer war.

1907-1908

The De Wetts seem to have won another football title in 1907 beating Dunmore in the final by 5 points. Later Dunmore objected on the grounds that full time had not been played. To make the situation more complex Ballinasloe (the team the De Wetts beat in the semi-final) also objected. The Galway County Board ordered Athenry to replay the semi-final against Ballinasloe. Athenry refused and Ballinasloe and Dunmore contested the final.

1909 – 1910

During these years there is no record of Athenry having played football.

On Sunday 13th July the Connacht football championship game between Galway and Roscommon-was played in Athenry. Galway won 1-6 to 0-2.

1920-1921

During the Anglo-Irish War and the Civil War the County Football Championships of 1920 and 1921 were not completed nor were the Junior Championships between 1918 and 1925.

1925

Because of the fact that the Leinster and Munster champions were disqualified it was decided that the Connacht champions would be declared All-Ireland champions. Galway defeated Mayo in the Connacht final and were declared All-Ireland Football Champions. This was their first football final win.

1934 – 1938

Athenry football team recorded a good win over St. Michaels winning by 4-6 to 5-1. Many of the clubs in the parish were hit by emigration. For example Newcastle lost such good players like Joe and Lar Hardiman.

Bobby Gardner with an Athenry 1948 Football

1944 – 1947

On the 30th of July 1944 a great challenge match took place between two Athenry football teams. Rovers: Jack Brennan (Capt.). Paddy Kilkelly, Brendan Higgins, Joe Whyte, Joe Egan, Dennis Madden and J.J. Whyte. Rangers: Willie Corbett, Peter Curran, Stephen Jordan, Jimmy Burke, Martin Glynn, John Doherty and John Cunniffe. Three players from Athenry were selected for the Galway minor team of 1945 hut they were defeated by Tipperary in the Semi-Final.

1969

The minor footballers were unlucky. They did not win gold losing the county final to St. Michaels of Galway, after having defeated Mountbellew, Glenamaddy, Killererin and Ballinasloe on the road to the final.

1970

Sean Hynes and Stephen Cloonan were on the Galway minor football team which won the All- Ireland minor football final by defeating Kerry after a replay. They were also on the senior hurling team in the same year. In the minor football championship Athenry were defeated by Tuam Stars after a replay.

1975

A football club was re-established, in the parish, after much debate over the name. It was decided to call it Wolfe Tones Football Club. After receiving a walk over from Killererin and a good victory over Cartoon, they then defeated Annaghdown, However, they were defeated by Monivea but because of the league system they still qualified for the county junior quarter final where they were defeated by St. Brendans.

1983

The minor footballers won the East/South final but lost the county quarter final to Maree/Oranmore.

1984

Junior footballers secured enough points to reach the semi-final of the South/ East League. Athenry had convincing wins over Kilgerril and Sarsfields to win the Jack Whelan Memorial Cup and a place in the County Championship Semi-Final. The Athenry under 21 team were unlucky to lose to Turlough in the Semi-Final. Victory was snatched from Athenry by a late Turlough goal. The Minor football team won the minor football title defeating Caltra by 1-4 to 0-5. The junior footballers qualified for the County Junior Centenary Competition Final and defeated county champions Caherlistrane. The Centenary Trophy was presented to Athenry captain Dermot Monaghan by S.P.G. secretary, Sean Lawless.