The 2026 Tournament

Athlone’s Finest returned with a banger: 12 teams, over 100 players, teams from Limerick to Dublin all competing for €500. Let’s see how it went.

The day started off as feisty as ever, with heated affairs between old and new foes making a tantalising state of affairs, with Starz FC, captained by Clinton Imade, and Grange United being the big leaders in the first game, having the most convincing wins. This form continued for Starz FC, but the tables turned in Group A, with former champions Clonown Rovers and newcomers Tavriya FC winning, making the top 2 race an intriguing affair. Starz FC continued their run of form with another 3+ goal game, with newcomers Straight Outta Mill FC, captained by Owen Summer, winning against Gaing, making it a first place race between them and last year’s semi finalists going into the final game.

Group C was the tightest group by far, with everything to play for in the final game, with Roscommon side West United, last year’s champions Solace Solitude, and Dublin team Mata FC all between 4 and 3 points, with Decent on Astro not out of the race completely.

After a short break with a crossbar challenge, won by Bradley of Starz FC and Dmitryo of Tavriya FC, they won our first sponsored prizes: a full tracksuit/hoodie from Starz Clothing.

Then we ended up at the final stage of the group stage. We started off with Group A, where 2-time winners ended Tavriya’s hopes of finishing in the top 2 with a dismantling display, winning 4-0. With Grange United and Ballinasloe FC tied 1-1, it meant Clonown Rovers were the ultimate winners of Group A. Tavriya now had to wait on the sidelines to see what happened in the following groups.

Group B ended on a high, with the game between Starz FC and Straight Outta Mill FC being one of the great games of the year, ending in a 2-1 win for Starz FC. Leeds FC defeated Os Gringos FC, putting them in the front seat for best third place team, meaning it was left between Group C and Tavriya as to who would make the quarter finals.

Group C’s final games were a series of twists and turns. Decent on Astro FC rallied to a convincing 3-1 win against Solace Solitude. If not for West United’s 2-0 win over Mata FC, they would have made it through.

The first quarter final was a replay of the 2024 final, with Clonown Rovers against Leeds FC, ending in the same result, with Clonown progressing to their fourth semi final in four years. The shock of the round happened when Starz FC, the tournament favourites, led by Mayo FC’s Ben Edeh, crossbar challenge winner Bradley, and more, lost to Mata FC. Even with a goal of the tournament by Samuel to tie the game, it was not enough to lead them further.

West United vs Grange United ended in a stalemate, creating the first of the hockey style penalty shootouts, with the Brazilian flair of West United echoing the groups, with their silky feet showing them the way to the semi finals.

We ended on a high with the game of the tournament, with an Athlone derby between Solace Solitude and Straight Outta Mill FC. Straight Outta Mill FC can count themselves unlucky, as they gained an early lead, with many chances going astray, before Solace Solitude FC mounted the comeback in extra time, meaning they wouldn’t be the first winners to not make the semi finals the following year.

These games were intense and high impact, with teams raising the standard every year. Solace Solitude couldn’t defend their title, being the first team to not make it to the final in the following year, with Mata FC becoming the second first timers to make a final. Clonown Rovers continued their dominance in this tournament, making their fourth year in a row into the finals.

The third/4th place play off ended up as a penalty shootout between Solace Solitude and West United, for the prize of a €50 voucher for Munch Mix, with Solace Solitude, led by a rounding of the goalkeeper that Ronaldo Nazário would be proud of, winning the sponsored prize.

This left us with the final between Clonown and Mata FC. The affair was tight, with no one wanting to be the first to concede. This continued until the penalty shootout, with Clonown being the early leaders when Player of the Tournament Denis Buiciuc missed his penalty. This led to him being saved by his teammate and brother, Apollo Buiciuc, and winning the penalty shootout, winning the tournament.

All was not lost on Clonown Rovers, with them winning a €110 voucher for food providers and sponsors of the day, ‘The Charcoal Grill’. They were not the only lucky winners, with Goal of the Tournament winner Samuel getting a free hoodie from Solace Solitude, and top goalscorer William of Grange United winning a free haircut from sponsor 1 Stop Studio, and Best Player Denis Buiciuc winning a free physio session from Samuel Osho’s Sao Sports Therapy.

The champions, Mata FC, however, were blessed with food provider Fo’s Platter deciding to give them a free food platter alongside their €500 prize.

A special thanks to our other sponsors, Candy Cloud and the Westmeath County Council.