Athea United
by Pat Mulvihill
HUGE WEEKEND FOR ATHEA UTD YOUTHS
This coming Sunday, February 26th marks a massive day for our youths when we host the highly rated Mervue Utd of Galway in the 5th round of the FAI Youths Cup at The Vales. Kick off is at 2pm. This is the first time the club has had a side reach this stage of the FAIs top youth cup competition but we are definitely there on merit. In the first round we had a bye but in the second round we faced a real test when we were drawn against Killarney Celtic but at least we were drawn at home. Killarney were the reigning Munster Youths Cup champions and on top of that also got to the FAI Youths Cup Final where they lost 4-1 to Cork City. Our boys weren’t lacking in confidence and had a thoroughly deserved
4-1 win with first half goals from top scorer Ian Murphy and Dylan Griffin while in the second half Murphy was on target again as was Michael Woods. In round three a close game away to Abbeyfeale Utd was settled by a first half Maurice Hayes penalty while in round four a cracking goal from Shane Mulvihill and a second from ace poacher Michael Woods gave us a thoroughly deserved 2-0 win away to Rathkeale.
For their part Mervue Utd are one of the strongest footballing sides in Connaught and on a regular basis reach the latter end of the various National Cups. Like ourselves they received an opening round bye and followed this up with wins over Athenry (7-0), Knocknacarra (3-0) and Salthill Devon (2-0). As well as having a potent strike force Mervue have a strong defence as they have yet to concede a goal in this competition and will be hard to break down.
A WORD FROM THE MANAGER –
Our journey to where we are today began on June 13th 2011 and on this coming Saturday when we train for the final time before this huge game it will be the 76th training session. All the players have being training since then for the local leagues as well as the cup competitions and of course days like this coming Sunday. I don’t imagine the people of the locality realise just how big a game this is for us. There has being a lot of changes from last season and I think it has improved the lads immensely, their attitude and commitment has being second to none. As manager I envy the lads when they take to the pitch at The Vales on Sunday as it is a great opportunity to show how good they are. These are the games you look forward to and dream of playing in and testing yourself against the best. I have every confidence in getting a result come Sunday evening but we need all the people of Athea to come to The Vales and support us while the support of the other local clubs in the league would be greatly appreciated.
GOOD LUCK
We hope to see a very big crowd on Sunday afternoon and we look forward to putting Athea on the map again and we wish all the players and manager Cillian O’Connor the very best of luck on Sunday.
Remember kick off at The Vales is at 2pm next Sunday and we will see ye all there.
RESULTS
Division 1 League
Athea Utd A (0) 2 Joe Weir, Cillian O‘Connor.
Glantine (0) 2
Team: Pa Ahern, Ryan Carroll, Jamie Collins, Joe Vaughan, Tom Collins, Kevin O’Keeffe, Cillian O’Connor, Joe Weir, Gerard Ahern, Conor Mullane, Padraig Horgan,
Sub used Padraig Reidy, Ger Collins, Michael Reidy.
Referee G O’Connor.
U/16 Division 2
Ballingarry (0) 2
Athea Utd (2) 2 Brian O’Connor, JJ Sheehy
Team: James Ryan, Jason Dalton, Joey Kelly, Padraic Walsh, Philip Daly, Sean Ryan, JJ Sheehy, Brian O’Connor, Pa O’Connor, Peter O’Connor, William Sexton. Subs Jack Denihan, Ronan Hayes, Tony McAuliffe.
Referee: Brian Nash.
U/12 Division 2
Athea Utd (0) 1 David O’Connor
Glin Rovers (1) 1
Team: Cathal O’ Brien, David O’ Connor, Micheal Dalton, Shane Ambrose, David O’ Sullivan, Shane Dalton, Seamus Leahy, Ryan O’ Connell, Joseph Dalton, John Sexton, Jack O’ Connor, subs: Andy Ahern, Micah O’ Connell & Jason Dillon.
Referee: Jim Molyneaux.
FIXTURES
Saturday, February 25th
U/10s home to St Itas at 12.30pm
Sunday, February 26th
Youths home to Mervue Utd (Galway) in the FAI Youths Cup at 2pm.
ATHEA UTD TRAINING TIMES
U/10s on Wednesdays 6 to 7pm
U/12s on Thursdays 6 to 7pm
U/14s on Monday 6 to 7pm.
U/16s on Thursdays 7pm to 8.30pm.
Youths on Mondays and Wednesdays 7 to 8.30pm.
Junior As & Bs on Tuesdays and Fridays 7 to 10pm.
LOTTERY RESULTS FEBRUARY 20th
The results of our lottery draw for Monday, February 20th at Batt’s Bar are as follows – Jackpot was €5700.
Numbers drawn were 3, 6, 25, 30. No jackpot winner.
Lucky Dips to
Kevin Stack, Moyvane.
Marie O’Connor, The Lane, Athea.
A.E.J.D.F. c/o Jack O’Connor, Coole West.
Ita McMahon, Dirreen.
Michelle & Grainne, Hillside Drive.
Sellers Agatha & White’s Bar.
New Jackpot will be €5800 on Monday, February 27th at Donie’s.
Coiste na nÓg
by Jacqueline O’Connor
Hurling Training for U8’s & U10’s:
Hurling training will continue for U8’s and U10’s this Friday evening the 24th of February in the Hall from 7pm to 8pm. There was a great turn out last week as they were put through their paces by the coaches. Anyone that has their own helmet please bring it, for those who do not have helmets they will be supplied along with special indoor Hurley’s. The cost will be €2 per child.
Calendars:
Coiste na nÓg calenders are still on sale at Paul Collins’ shop and
from the coaches. The calendar contains pictures of teams from U6 up to U16. They cost €5 each and would make a lovely presents for people at home or abroad.
Registration:
Registration for U-6’s up to U-16’s will take place on this Sunday
26th of February in the Clubhouse in Páirc na nGael from 12:30pm to 1:30pm. Cost of registration is €25 for one child and €40 for a family of 2 or more. A refund amount of €10 will be offered to parent(s) who help out the club with fundraising during the year. For any child who will be registering with the club for the first time it will cost €15.
Winners of the colouring competition will also be announced at 1pm on the day.
Fixtures:
Sunday 4th of March:
U14’s:
Athea U14’s are at home to Adare on Sunday morning the 4th of March at 11am in Páirc na nGael. All players to be a the field for 10:30am.
Colaiste Ide agus Iosef:
Best of luck to Colaiste Ide agus Iosef who are in the Munster
Vocational school Senior B football final. They are playing Kanturk. On the panel from Athea are Ryan Carroll, Mark O’Connor, Denis Greaney and Kevin Mahony.
Speedy recovery:
The Club would like to wish Denis Greaney a very speedy recovery, Denis injured himself while playing with the Limerick Minor footballers.
G.A.A.
Limerick Development Draw (Mackey):
Again there are fantastic prizes on offer this year with the top prize of € 15,000 each month. There are 10 draws in total and the tickets just cost € 10/draw or €100 for all draws. The 1st draw will take place in early March. Details of all prizes on offer are listed below.
Our draw promoters are out and about selling tickets. You can also contact any member of the committee and they will gladly arrange to get you set up in the draw. The draw is a huge benefit to the Club as 50% of monies raised are retained by the club and are essential for meeting our own Club Expenses during the year. A big thank you to all who have supported this draw to date.
Top Prize is €15,000, 2nd €5,000, 3rd €2,000, 4th €1,000 plus 4 prizes of €500 and 20 prizes of €250