Athea Utd.
by Pat Mulvihill
“B’s IN LEAGUE CUP FINALTHIS FRIDAY”
This coming Friday night in Clounreask our B team will face neighbours Carrig Celtic B in the final of the Division 4 League Cup. Getting to a final isn’t a bad achievement but for our lads to do so in their first season is a great achievement. On our way to the final we defeated Glantine 5-2 and in the semi final it took two games against Newcastle West Rovers B, the first ending two all but with no extra time due to fading light it was a penalty shoot out in the second game after a scoreless draw that saw us advance. In our two league meetings with Carrig both sides won their home games 2-0 so a close game is probably on store but then again it could be a high scoring thriller. Nevertheless a bid crowd from Athea is expected at Clounreask next Friday night and we wish Bobby Barrett and his squad the best of luck. Remember kick off is at 7.30pm.
U/17 Cup Semi Final
Bally Rovers 2 Athea Utd 4.
Scorers: Dylan Griffin (2), Ryan Carroll, own goal
Last Monday afternoon we were away to Bally Rovers in the semi final of the Desmond U17 Cup and after the ninety minutes we had secured our place in the final where we will meet Rathkeale. This is our first time we have got to this final since Mathew Tierney captained Athea to the inaugural U/17 Cup in 2003 when we beat Killeaney 2-0 and hopefully the outcome will be similar. The majority of the seventeens play sixteens also and no doubt this will make up somewhat for the disappointment of exiting the 16s cup the previous week. On Monday both sides would have to battle hard to advance to the final as the weather had turned for the worst with a strong wind and rain making it more difficult for both sides.
Bally started the better and went ahead on ten minutes when a free kick too a bad deflection off one of our defenders and crept inside the butt of the left post and for the next five minutes or so Bally were on top and could have added another goal. After this we settled down and started to play some nice football and had a half chance, an instant first touch by Dylan Griffin looked like he had created an opening for himself but shot poorly into the keepers hands. With the breeze behind them Bally were carrying the greater threat but the Athea defence were up to the challenge with Mark O’Connor dominant in the air while Michael Mullane, Jamie Sheehan and Shane Mulvihill were closing own the space quickly. With twelve minutes to half time we were level when a Ryan Carroll cross from the right came to Griffin who composed himself before placing the ball into the bottom right corner. not long after we were ahead when a great run and cross by Sonny Sheehan was put into his own net by a defender to leave us two one up at half time.
The second half wasn’t long on when we increased our lead with a superb goal by Griffin when he outpaced the Bally defence to latch on to a super pass by Mulvihill and lob the keeper from thirty five yards. While we were in a good position at this stage we knew that Bally would come back at us and given the fact that we lost Kevin Murphy through injury and were playing the second half with ten players it was going to be a big ask to preserve our lead. As expected Bally were coming back into it but like the first half O’Connor and Mulvihill in the centre of defence were outstanding as were our full backs and thus limited Bally to long range efforts or crosses that Jonathan Fitzgerald was able to gather. Eventually Bally got back into it with their second goal. This was disappointing from our point of view as firstly their player got too much space to cross the ball into the box while we then had plenty chances to clear the danger but eventually the ball ended in the net and it was game on again. Soon after Bally had a great chance when their winger cut in from the right but he shot across the goalmouth and the chance was gone for them. With the homeside pushing forward it gave us the chance to counter attack and we nearly got a fourth when Carroll was put behind the Bally defence but was pulled back for a fractional offside. We had a better chance two minutes later when Griffin was played through by Maurice Hayes only for the Bally keeper to pull off a brilliant save. Griffin then fired wide after a good move down the right involving Mullane, Hayes and Mark Horgan before we got the insurance goal in stoppage time. On this occasion Griffin turned provider when he chased a ball down the line by Sheehan and took a touch before finding Carroll on the edge of the box who in turn drilled the ball low into the bottom left corner. Full time four two to Athea and we now meet Rathkeale in the final on Saturday week, May 14th in Clounreask.
Team: Jonathan Fitzgerald, Michael Mullane, Jamie Sheehan, Shane Mulvihill, Mark O’Connor, Ryan Carroll, Maurice Hayes, David Sheehan, Kevin Murphy, Dylan Griffin, Mark Horgan.
U/16 Cup
NCW Rovers 1 Athea Utd 0.
Last night week our sixteens were away to Newcastle West Rovers in the quarter final of the sixteens cup and like our meeting in the league two weeks previous it was another close contest. Unfortunately for us the outcome was again the same with Rovers winning by a single goal margin though in truth this cup tie was there for the taking as we had some very good chances throughout the game but the aged old combination of good goalkeeping and bad luck finishing cost us again. The only goal of the game came when their midfielder headed home a corner on fifteen minutes and after that we were seldom troubled apart from two good efforts that just went wide. Dylan Griffin went close with a shot across the face of the goal while the keeper did well to prevent Ryan Carroll’s free kick finding the top corner.
The second half saw us push forward looking for the equalizer with Jamie Sheehan doing well at left back and pushing on at every opportunity and his link up play with Kevin Murphy was causing the Rovers defence some problems at times. Likewise on the opposite flank Carroll and Shane Mulvihill were bombing forward with Maurice Hayes in the centre having another fine outing. However with all this possession we were having we didn’t work their keeper often enough while Rovers were dangerous on the break but having this said we were able to keep their strikers at bay too with Mark O’Connor having another super game at centre half. Twice late on Rovers nearly got a second but we knew it wasn’t going to be our night when we had two chances in quick succession, the first when the ball was taken off the line and then when Griffins shot hit the post and went behind and so Rovers advance by the narrowest of margins.
Team: Jonathan Fitzgerald, Gary Vaughan, Jamie Sheehan, Shane Mulvihill, Mark O’Connor, Jason O’Flaherty, Ryan Carroll, Maurice Hayes, David Sheehan, Kevin Murphy, Dylan Griffin. Sub: Michael Mullane.
U/8 Division 1
Athea Utd A (0) 0 Abbeyfeale Utd A (0) 1
The U/8 As completed their season with a home fixture against Abbeyfeale last Thursday evening and put on a very good display but that bit of luck was missing and so the visitors took the spoils with a narrow win. All though are already looking forward to the new season where we will be looking to good things from this enthusiastic group of players.
Team: Evan Wallace, Sarah O’Connor, Luke Gleeson, Michael Tierney, Thomas McEnery, Brandon Finucane, Danny Brady, Gavin Ambrose, Mary Jo Leddy, Colin Broderick.
U/8 Division 4
Feenagh (2) 4 Athea Utd B (0) 0
This was a tough game for the Bs against in form Feenagh last night week and again plenty effort was on show from Athea but the homeside were that bit stronger and won out in the end.
Team: Daire O’Shea, Padraic Enright, Gearoid O’Sullivan, Eoin O’Shea, TJ Hunt, Andrew O’Riordan, Jack Hunt, Aidan Curry, Amy Ryan, Shane Scanlon.
U/8 Division 4
Athea Utd B (0) 0 Abbeyfeale Utd B (3) 4
The Bs played their last home game of the league last Saturday against Abbeyfeale Utd B and here the league leaders showed why they are top of the table.
Team: Conor Mullane, Jack Hunt, Gearoid O’Sullivan, Padraic Enright, Eoin O’Shea, Daire O’Shea, Pierce O’Brien, Andrew O’Riordan, Michael Walsh, TJ Hunt.
Athea U-8s
FIXTURES
Friday, May 6th
Division 4 League Cup Final v Carrig Celtic B in Clounreask at 7.30pm
Sunday, May 8th
Junior As home to Ballingarry at 11.30am
Monday, May 9th
U8 Bs away to Broadford Utd B at 7.15pm
Friday May 13th
Junior As away to Abbeyfeale Utd B at 7pm.
Saturday, May 14th
Desmond U-17 Cup Final
Athea Utd V Rathkeale in Clounreask at 2.30pm
ATHEA UTD TRAINING TIMES
U-12 Training on Thursdays at the usual time.
AN POST FAI SUMMER SOCCER SCHOOLS 2011
The time has come again to make plans for the 2011 Summer Soccer Schools which ill again be sponsored by An Post and will be known as An Post Summer Soccer Schools 2011. This years programme will run nationwide from July 4th to August 25th at venues the length and breath of the Republic of Ireland.
The Athea Utd Camp will again be held at The Vales and will run from Monday July 25th to Friday July 29th
To book your place log on to www.fai.ie or call 1890 653 653. The co-ordinator for the Athea Utd camp again is Pat Mulvihill and he can be contacted on (087)7934417 and Pat will be only be too happy to give you any information or advice on the summer soccer school programme.
NOTE: Over the coming weeks more information will be available on the 2011 Summer Soccer Schools Programme and this will appear in the club notes of the local media.
LOTTERY RESULTS MAY 3rd
The results of our lottery draw for Monday, May 3rd at Brown Joe’s are as follows –
Jackpot was €7,100. Numbers drawn were 1, 9, 23, 28.
No Jackpot winner.
Lucky Dips to Brenda McMahon, Athea. Aggie Barrett, Limerick. Pat Buckley, Lr Athea. Elaine Hartnett, Abbeyfeale. P O’Sullivan.
Sellers: Liz Gould, Pat Buckley.
New jackpot will be €7,200 on Monday, May 9th at Batt’s Bar.
Coiste na nÓg
by Jacqueline O’Connor
Athea Coiste na nÓg U-12s who travelled to Dublin on Wednesday of last week to play in Croke Park. It was a wonderful experience for these young players.
U-12’s Croke Park Visit:
Wednesday 27th of April was a special for Athea Coiste na nÓg U-12’s as they travelled to Dublin to play in Croke Park. A packed bus of 41 children and 13 parents left Athea early in the morning. We arrived in Croke Park at 12 noon and the excitement started to build as the first of our under 12 took to the field against Beale. Two of our matches followed against St. Patrick’s and Cappawhite and just as the sun shone on headquarters, so did the maroon and white of Athea as the boys and girls displayed all the great skills they have learned over the past few years in Páirc na nGael.
When the games were over the boys and girls visited the Croke Park museum and also climbed six flights of stairs to the top tier of the Cusack stand. On the way home we stopped at the Red Cow Inn for a very welcome lunch.
We arrived back in Athea shortly after 9, where a very exciting and enjoyable day for Athea Coiste na nÓg came to an end.
We would like to thank our referee for the day Denis Greaney, Timmy Madigan for providing the bus, the Red Cow for a fantastic meal and all the parents who travelled with us. It is a brilliant experience that we will never forget.
Matches:
U-14’s:
Athea 3-18 Newcastle West 1-8.
Our U14’s made a very positive start to their campaign with a strong performance against Newcastle West in Athea. We dominated possession from the early stages and took advantage of this with Ronan Hayes picking up a few scores when he found himself within range. Jack Denihan was playing some good passes at this stage. In midfield Brian O” Connor was distributing the ball very well while James Ryan was not only clearing up a lot of loose ball but he also got a few fine individual scores for himself. In the backs Tommy Quaid, Killian O’ Donoghue and Jason Dalton were very solid, snuffing out any danger that arose. We had a commanding lead at halftime. After a good start to the second half Newcastle West found themselves in a period of dominance. We weathered this storm with Conor Fitzgerald playing very well and finished the game strongly, Jason Kelly getting himself a few nice scores. The game finished Athea 3-18 to Newcastle West 1-8. Team: Joey Kelly, Padraig O’ Sullivan, Jason Dalton, Michael Leddy, Killian O’ Donoghue, Tommy Quaid, Tony McAuliffe, James Ryan, Brian O’ Connor, William Sexton, Jack Denihan, Jason Kelly, Lorcan McAuliffe, Ronan Hayes, Paul Mahony. Subs: Conor Fitzgerald & Thomas Flaherty.
U-8 Blitz in Abbeyfeale:
Athea U-8s
We travelled the short journey to the Inch in Abbeyfeale on Sunday morning last to play the locals in U-8 football. We had two teams of 9 players and each played two 20 minute matches against two Abbeyfeale teams. The day was sunny but the easterly breeze kept the huge number of supporters for both teams cool as they were treated to some fantastic football. The skills these young footballers have already mastered would have to be seen to be believed. The catching, long kicking, blocking, soloing, the pick up and hand pass, use of left and right legs as well as all the points and goals that were scored and saves made, were an example of all that is great about Gaelic football. The following players all played their heart out in the maroon and white of Athea, Michael Tierney, Brandon Finucane, Pierce O’ Brien, Rory O’ Mahony, Gearóid O’ Sullivan, Molly-Pepper Carr, Aaron Enright, Callum Buckley, Daire O’ Shea, Andrew O’ Riordan, Adam Byrne, T.J Hunt, Conor Mullane, Josh Mulally, Gavin Mulvihill, Molly Ahern, Páiric Enright & Eoin O’ Shea. Coaching will continue on Friday evening at Páirc na nGael at 6:30pm.
The club would like to thank Fr. Casey’s club Abbeyfeale who hosted us and provided treats for the kids and very welcome tea/coffee and sandwiches for the adults. It was great to see such large number of parents, grandparents, friends and relations present to cheer on the kids and they definitely got plenty to cheer about such was the talent on display. Thanks also to Derek Byrne and David O’ Connor who refereed the matches.
Training:
U-6’s, U-8’s & U-10’s:Training continues for the U-6’s, U-8’s & U10’s this Friday 6th of May from 6:30pm to 7:30pm in Páirc na nGael.
U-12’s: Training for U-12’s will be this Wednesday evening 4th of May from 6pm to 7pm in Páirc na nGael.
Fixtures:
Thursday 12th of May:
U-12’s: Athea U-12’s are at home to Fr. Caseys on Thursday 12th of May at 6:45pm. Players are asked to be at the field for 6:20pm
Friday 13th of May:
U-10’s: Athea U-10’s have their first Blitz in Dromcollogher on Friday 13th of May. Time to be confirmed.
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.
Fundraising:
Athea Coiste na nÓg would like to thank Twohig’s Supervalu in Abbeyfeale for giving us the opportunity to raise funds by bag packing last Friday. We would also like to thank everyone for supporting us on the day. A special thanks to all who gave of their time, for without you it would not have been possible, your help was greatly appreciated.
Golf Society
Our next outing is to Dundrum on Saturday May 14th, teeing off from 10 am. As usual there will be a meeting on Tuesday 10th at the Top of the Town at 9pm to make arrangements. Please reply to text message whether you are going or not before the meeting. It had been hoped to build our weekend away around this fixture but it had to be cancelled due to lack of numbers.
Man Utd Supporters Club
A total of 42 supporters travelled to Old Trafford on Good Friday to see United play Everton next day. The club would like to thank each and every one who travelled and supported this most enjoyable trip and, all going well, we shall organise another one in the 2011/2012 season. Everything went off without a hitch and the behaviour and manner of each and every member of the club was of the highest standard and certainly made things easier to organise and manage. Membership forms will be distributed in June/July to sign up for the new season and new members are most welcome. The more members we have the more tickets etc we will have at our disposal from Old Trafford. Again thanks for your support, enjoy the remainder of the season and join up for the new one.
Pat Mc Sweeney