Athea Utd
by Pat Mulvihill
Division 4 League
Shannonside B 1 Athea Utd B 3.
Scorers: Stephen McEnery (2), Pa Kiely
Another good day for the Bs as they picked up another three points with a deserved win away to Shannonside B last Sunday morning. They have being playing very well of late and this win sees them second in the table which in their first season is just fantastic. We were two up at the break with Stephen McEnery getting both after being set up on each occasion by through balls from Eoin Nash, the first saw him lob the keeper while for his second he rounded the keeper. In the second half McEnery turned provider when he set up Pa Kiely with a low cross that the midfielder ran on to and side foot home from close range finish. The Kiely McEnery combination nearly brought a hat trick for the striker when the keeper denied him after he saved a Kiely free kick while later on he hit both posts. Shannonside pulled one back with five minutes left but in the end Athea were full value for the win and next Sunday they play their last league game of their debut season when St Bens, who clinched the league title last Sunday visit The Vales.
Team: Mickey Hayes, John Geoghegan, Tom Greaney, Sean McGrath, Conor McGrath, Pa Kiely, Mike Twomey, Eoin Nash, Gary Carroll, Stephen McEnery, Bobby Barrett.
Subs used: Kieran Dalton and William Cronin.
DIVISION 1 LEAGUE
Ballingarry 2 Athea Utd 1.
Scorer: Padraig Horgan
Two goals inside the opening twenty minutes gave the homeside a great start against a somewhat underside Athea side but after this we improved and the last half hour saw us play our best soccer of the game. This was rewarded when skipper Padraig Horgan halved the deficit with a good finish inside the near post from just inside the area with twenty one minutes left to play. Indeed his brother Mark, a second half sub nearly got an equalizer when his twenty yard effort whizzed inches wide of the post. Darren Murphy went close late on and as well as this should have had a penalty as he was fouled not once but twice in the same move. However the referee deemed otherwise and it was the homeside that hung on to take the points.
Team: Tomas Quinn, Michael Reidy, Matthew Tierney, Tom Collins, Martin Chawke, Padraig Horgan, Kevin O’Keeffe, Conor Mullane, Brian Ahern, John Cotter, Darren Murphy. Sub used: Mark Horgan.
U/16 Division 1
Kilcornan 1 Athea Utd 1.
Scorer: Maurice Hayes
The 16s were away to Kilcornan last night week in their penultimate league game of the 2010/11 season and despite being without three regulars left disappointed not to have taken the three points. The change in the starting eleven didn’t hinder us as we were the better team in the opening half with chances falling to Dylan Griffin and Maurice Hayes but it remained scoreless at the break. Into the second half an our task became more difficult when we had a player needlessly sent off but as is often the case the ten men often play better and again this proved the case as we played Kilcornan off the park an when Maurice Hayes beat the keeper to a through ball and lob the ball over him into the net it was no more than we deserved. We had chances to get a second but it was the homeside that scored from the penalty spot when the referee somehow deemed that an Athea player had handled the ball in the area in the last minute. Soon after the final whistle sounded with the homeside getting a draw they scarcely deserved. We have one game left in the league and that is at home to Newcastle West Rovers tomorrow night week at while we still have to play in the cup and in that we have a home tie with Bally Rovers.
Team: Jonathan Fitzgerald, Jason Flaherty, Gary Vaughan, Jamie Sheehan, Mark O’Connor, Michael Mullane, Maurice Hayes, Ryan Carroll, David Sheehan, Dylan Griffin, Peter O’Connor. Sub: Dan Mullane.
U/14 Division 2
Athea Utd 2 Kildimo Utd 4.
Scorer: Brian O’Connor (2)
The 14s played their last home league game of the season against Kildimo Utd last Thursday evening and disappointingly lost four two with Brian O’Connor scoring both our goals, one in each half. Kildimo took a two goal lead in this one before we got on the score board when a Peter O’Connor skewed a shot but it came to Brian O’Connor who beat two defenders before sticking the ball in the bottom corner and that’s how it stood at the interval. Into the second half and the visitors scored again to regain their two goal cushion before Brian scored again for us after fine play down the wing by Pa O’Connor and he pulled the ball back for Brian to shoot from just outside the box and into the bottom corner. We looked for an equalizer but it was Kildimo that scored again to get their first win in the league. We finish our league campaign on Saturday with an away game against Shannonside while there is also a cup game away to Abbeyfeale.
Team: Kieran Hartnet, Tommy Quaid, Killian O’Donoghue,William Sexton, Jack Denihan, James Ryan, Peter O’Connor, Padraic Walsh, Brian O’Connor, Joey Kelly, PaO’Connor.Subs: Tony McAuliffe, Ronan Hayes, Phillip Daly, Jason Dalton.
U/8 Division 1
Newcastle West A (2) 2 Athea Utd A (0) 0
Athea U/8s travelled to Newcastle West to take on the locals on Thursday evening last. In the first half, we battled hard with Thomas McEnery and Danny Brady doing exceptionally well in defence while up front Luke Gleeson and Eoin Sheahan both worked hard and had a couple of chances that weren’t too far away. In midfield Evan Wallace and Colin Broderick were putting in great effort while Alex McEndowney made some fantastic saves in goals but despite this we found ourselves two down at half time.
In the second half we improved with Mary Jo Leddy and Brandon Finucane not giving an inch in defence while Gavin Ambrose and Michael Tierney were displaying great energy in the middle of the park and we started creating more chances up front. Sarah O’Connor was playing well up front and was very unlucky with one great effort that was well saved by the keeper and moments later Alex McEndowney now in the forwards shot just wide of the post. At the other end, we had Luke Gleeson keeping out the best efforts from Newcastle West. Over all this was a brilliant display by our young team that are improving with every game they play.
Team: Alex McEndowney, Thomas McEnery, Danny Brady, Luke Gleeson, Eoin Sheahan, Evan Wallace, Michael Tierney, Colin Broderick, Sarah O’Connor, Mary Jo Leddy, Brandon Finucane, Gavin Ambrose.
U/8 Division 4
Athea Utd B 3 Shannonside B 4.
Scorers: Andrew O’Riordan (2), Daire O’Shea
A cracking game of football this with the outcome very much in doubt right up to the final whistle. It was two all at half time with Andrew O’Riordan and Daire O’Shea scoring for Athea and in the second half Andrew got his second but like the sides previous meeting in the league Shannonside pipped us by a single goal.
Team: Aidan Curry, Conor Mullane, Gearoid O’Sullivan, TJ Hunt, Pierse O’Brien, Eoin O’Shea, Daire O’Shea, Andrew O’Riordan, Jack Hunt, Padraic Enright, Shane Scanlon, Michael Walsh, DJ O’Connor.
U/8 Cup
Athea Utd A 0 Adare Utd 6.
The As played Adare Utd in the cup last Saturday and found it hard against a team that is top of their league table with ten wins from their eleven games so it was always going to be a big test. Adare scored four in the first half and added two more after the interval.
Team: Alex McEndowney, Thomas McEnery, Danny Brady, Luke Gleeson, Eoin Sheahan, Evan Wallace, Michael Tierney, Sarah O’Connor, Mary Jo Leddy, Gavin Ambrose.
U/8 Cup
Askeaton 4 Athea Utd B 0.
Like the As against Adare our Bs found it tough in their cup game away to an Askeaton side that has won all its games so far this season so playing. All the Athea players kept at it but Askeaton were too strong on the day.
Team: Aidan Curry, TJ Hunt, Pierce O’Brien, Eoin O’Shea, DJ O’Connor, Andrew O’Riordan, Jack Hunt, Daire O’Shea, Gearoid O’Sullivan, Michael Walsh, Shane Scanlon.
FIXTURES
Thursday, April 7th
U/8 Bs home to Mountcollins at 7pm
Saturday, April 9th
U/10s home to Creeves at 11.30am.
U/14s away to Shannonside at 11.30am.
Sunday, April 10th
Juniors As home to Glantine at 11.30am.
Juniors Bs home to St Bens at 2pm.
Wednesday, April 13th
U/8 Bs away to St Itas B at 7pm
Thursday, April 14th
U/8 As away to Broadford Utd A at 7pm
U/16s home to Newcastle West Rvs at 6.45pm
Friday, April 15th
U/12s away to Ballingarry at 7pm
ATHEA UTD TRAINING TIMES
U/8 As on Wednesdays from 6pm to 7pm in the hall.
U/8 Bs on Wednesdays from 7pm to 8pm in the hall.
U/10s on Wednesdays on Astro Pitch at 7pm.
U/12s on Thursdays 6pm to 7.30pm.
U/14s on Thursdays from 6.30pm to 8pm.
U/16s on Wednesdays 5.30pm to 7pm.
PLEASE NOTE – All players check with respective managers for confirmation of training times.
LOTTERY RESULTS APRIL 4th
The lottery results held on Monday, April 4th at JP’s are as follows –
Jackpot was €6,700. Numbers drawn were 4, 7, 9, 13. No Jackpot winner.
Lucky Dips to Liam Chawke, Athea. Ina Kelly, NCW. Pat Gleeson, Athea. Declan Barrett, Athea. Brid and Molly Hunt, Athea.
Sellers: Ita McMahon & Denis Murphy.
New jackpot will be €6,800 on Monday, April 11th at The Top of the Town.
Coiste na nÓg
Matches:
U-16s:
Athea 1-4 Mountcollins 2-7
On a very wet and windy Monday evening last our U-16’s took to the field for their first game of the season against a strong Mountcollins side. The visitors were first to score, but some great points from Peter O’ Connor and Thomas Sexton had us 2 points to 1 ahead after 10 minutes. Despite some great saves from Joey Kelly in goals, Mountcollins equalized with a point and then went ahead when they scored a goal and a point just before half time. In the second half Mountcollins got an early goal which had us chasing the game. From here on Athea’s defence started to get on top and with William Mullane and Dylan Griffin who scored a great point tormenting the Mountcollins defence we were still in with a chance. Kieran Harnett then scored a great goal and a point to narrow the gap. But despite their best efforts the scoreline at the end read Mountcollins 2-7 to Athea’s 1-4. Team: Joey Kelly, Jonathan Fitzgerald, Dan Mullane, Gary Vaughan, Jason Daly O’ Flaherty, Dylan Griffin, Jack Denihan, Kieran Harnett, Thomas Sexton, Peter O’ Connor, William Mullane, Brian O’ Connor & Jason Dalton.
Fixtures:
Wednesday 6th of April:
U-13’s: Athea are at home to Cappagh on Wednesday the 6th of April at 6:45pm. All players are asked to be at Páirc na nGael for 6:15pm.
Training:
Friday 8th of April:
U-6’s, U-8’s & U-10’s: Training for the U-6’s, U-8’s & U10’s continues this Friday evening from 6:00pm to 7:00pm in Páirc na nGael.
Wednesday 13th of April:
U-12’s: Training for the U-12’s continues Wednesday evening 13th of April from 7pm to 8pm. All players are asked to be at the field for 6:50pm.
Club Jackets:
Orders are now being taken for Athea Coiste na nÓg club jackets for both adults and children. The jackets are maroon and navy with the newly designed club crest on them. They adult jacket cost €27 each. If you would like to order one please contact Jacqueline O’ Connor on 086-0670091 for more details.
Feale Rangers:
Well done to Feale Rangers minor football team, who are an amalgamation of Athea and Mountcollins footballers. They put on a great display of football in defeating Dromcollogher/Broadford last Friday evening in Páirc na nGael.
County:
Limerick Senior Footballers lost to Westmeath by 2 points in Newcastle West last Sunday on a scoreline of 0-12 to 0-14.
Basketball
As the Basket Ball Season draws to a close for another year I would like to take this opportunity to thank the girls for the pleasure of coaching them for the past 12 months. We had a busy weekend, on Thursday our U-16 girls won a hard fought semi-final against Morning Star. On Saturday our U-14’s had another hard battle against St. Colums of Limerick City, led on by their Captain Áine Sullivan they won in great style. But the game of the weekend was the valiant battle our U-12’s put on Sunday morning in Limerick where they played Limerick Celtics. It was a thriller from the tip off. Everyone played to the best of their ability and the game went into extra time where we lost by a single basket. The person of the match had to be Kate Redmond who led our young U-12 team valiantly – they fought to the bitter end and every one of them deserves the highest praise.
Next weekend sees our U-16 and U-14 in the Top 4 Finals in UL and we wish them every success.
We continue to train on to the end of the school year – as there are many more under age competitions.
I’d just like to take this opportunity to say Thanks Girls!
Trish
Golf Society
The next outing is to Castletroy Golf Club on Saturday, April 16th. Tee times are from 10.00 to 11.30. This is a lovely course in the city of Limerick. A meeting, to make arrangements, will be held at the Top of the Town on Tuesday 13th at 9.00pm. If you receive a text message please answer before that date whether you are going or not. This is important for the committee making the draw.
New members are always welcome. Just come along to the meeting or give your name to any existing member.
Athea GAA
Results
West Minor Championship
Athea/Mountcollins 2-09 Drom Broadford 0-09.
The minors had a very impressive win over Drom in Athea last Friday night. Athea players involved included, Johnathan Fitzgerald, Mark O`Connor, Shane Mulvihill, Denis Greaney, Thomas Sexton, Dylan Griffin, Maurice Hayes, Sonny Sheehan, Michael Mullane, Ryan Carroll, Liam O`Brien, Gary Vaughan.
West Intermediate Championship
Athea 2-08 Fr Casey’s 1-11
Team: Timmy Enright, Michael Ahern, Tom Collins. Matthew Tierney, Michael Reidy, Martin Chawke, Paul Collins, Conor Mullane, Thomas Mullane, Kevin O`Keeffe, Pat Ahern, Morgan O`Connor, Brian McKenna, Jamie Collins, John Cotter. Subs all used: Sean McGrath, Brian Ahern, Ger Collins, Gerard Ahern, Sean Ahern, Jason Quille.
County Football League
Athea 0-05 Gerald Griffins 0-09.
Fixture:
West Intermediate Replay
Athea v Fr Casey’s in Athea Friday 8th April.