Athea Utd

by Pat Mulvihill

“HUGE DAY FOR THE B’s “

Next Sunday is another big day for the club as our B Team bid to win a league title in only their second season in existence when they host title rivals Kilcornan B in a top of the table clash.  The mathematics next Sunday morning are simple, a draw or win will see us promoted as champions and theres no reason why this cant be achieved as the Bs are playing great football at the moment. This point was borne out in their last game where they on 2-0 away to Shannonside B to become the first junior side in the league to win promotion in this the 2011-12 season.
We played Kilcornan away in the league on October 16th and on that occasion things went the way of the homeside on a 6-4 scoreline after the scores were level at 3-3 at half time. We were under strength that day and its fair to say we conceded some very poor goals but since then we are unbeaten with six league wins in a row and just conceded two goals in those six games.
Come Sunday afternoon at The Vales we hope to have number seven under our belt. However it must be stressed that on Sunday we are playing a very good Kilcornan side and one that took Division 1 leaders Rockhill Rovers to extra time in the Desmond Cup  last Sunday. Indeed they were only seconds away from taking that game to penalties so we all know that it will be a tough game but we have the players that possess the capabilities to get the job done on Sunday.
Kick off at The Vales on Sunday is 11.30am and we are looking for plenty home support and I know the sporting people of Athea will be there to hopefully see another chapter in our history being written.
Come on the B’s.

Division 1 League Cup
Athea Utd     (1) 2      John Cotter, Kevin O’Keeffe.
Pallaskenry   (0) 1

Last Sunday afternoon at The Vales our As progressed to the semi finals of the division one league cup with a narrow two one win at home to Pallaskenry. In a footballing context it wasn’t the greatest ever game played as Athea, struggling with injuries and suspensions did just enough to get over the line. Pallaskenry rarely threatened and the goal they got shouldn’t have being conceded as a shot hit the woodwork and while our defence stood standing a forward rammed home the rebound. At the stage we were two goals to the good, Johnny Cotter scoring ten minutes from the break following a Kevin O’Keeffe corner from the right while O’Keeffe doubled our lead eight minutes into the second half with a low finish inside the right hand post. We should have had a couple of penalties too that on another day we would have gotten whole Darren Murphy was very unlucky to see his effort come back off the butt of the left post after a great run in from the left pasta couple of defenders.
Best for Athea on the day was Gerard Collins.
Team: Noel Healy, Ryan Carroll, Padraig Horgan, Tom Collins, Joe Vaughan, Kevin O’Keeffe, Gerard Ahern, Gerard Collins, Conor Mullane, Darren Murphy, John Cotter. Sub: used Pa Ahern.
Referee Paul O’Brien.

FIXTURES

Saturday, March 24th
U/10s away to St Itas at 12.30pm. Leaving at 11.30am.
U/14s away to Kilcornan at 11.30am. Leaving at 10.20am.
Youths away to Rathkeale at 2.30pm. Leaving at 1.15pm.

Sunday, March 25th
Junior As away to Pallaskenry in the league at 2.30pm
Junior Bs home to Kilcornan in the league at 11.30am

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.

FUN TABLE QUIZ

Just a quick word to say thanks to all those who supported the Athea Utd Schoolboys Fun Table Quiz last Friday night at The Top of the Town. As usual our knowledge on a large variety of topics was once again tested by quizmaster Johnny Mathews. God only knows where he gets the questions, some did leave us perplexed.
Thanks to the following who gave spot prizes on the night –
Enright Kitchens, Denis & Noreen Murphy, Pat Hayes, Paddy Mullane Bus Hire, Paudie Reidy Bus Hire, Clare & Roger Ryan, Brown Joes Bar and TJ Reidy. Thanks too to all who bought raffle tickets as well.
We hope to have another fun quiz night before the end of the season

ATHEA UTD SCHOOLBOYS FUN TABLE QUIZ

Athea Utd Schoolboys will be holding a Fun Table Quiz at The Top of the Town this coming Friday night week, March 16th with the action getting underway at 9.30pm. Once again we will have quizmaster extraordinaire Johnny Mathews at the helm and he has promised a few easy questions for the opening few rounds. As usual there will be numerous spot prizes on the night so make sure to keep this Friday, March 16th free in your diary and we will see ye all at The Top of the Town. Oh and don’t forget to bring a friend.

ATHEA UTD LOTTERY RESULTS MARCH 19th

The results of our lottery draw for Monday, March 12th at Brown Joes are as follows – Jackpot was €6100.
Numbers drawn were 7, 4, 21, 30.
No jackpot winner.
Lucky Dips to  Peter O’Connor, Ardagh. Carl Collins c/o Kostal. Marie Wrenn, Athea. Rachel & Mary, Gaelside. Mandy & Alesha c/o Rose.
Sellers Paudie Reidy & Brouder’s Shop.
New jackpot will be €6200 on Monday, March 26th at The Gables.

 Athea Coiste na nÓg

Fixtures:
Monday 26th of March:
U16’s:
Athea U16’s are away to Askeaton/BallySteen on Monday evening 26th of March at 6:45pm. A bus will be leaving the village at 5:30pm.

Wednesday 28th of March:
U14’s:
Athea U14’s are at home to St.Marys/Sean Finn on Wednesday evening 28th of March at 6:45pm. Players are asked to be at the field for 6:15pm.

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:
If there is any child that still wants to register they can still do so. The 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.

Club Gear:
Club hoodies for both adults and children are now available to order at a cost of €30 each and for children up to the age of 12 they will cost €25 each. There are also children’s tracksuits available to order at a cost of €15 up to the age of 12 and €18 for 12 years and over.
Please contact Jacqueline for more details. Last date for orders is Friday 23rd of March.

County:

Limerick lost out to Wicklow in Division 4 of the Allianze Football League on a scoreline of 2-13 to 0-14.

Athea GAA

Junior B
Athea 2–6  Drom/Broadford 0–9
We had a great start to the league with this win at home to Drom/broadford on sunday morning last. There was very little between
the teams through out but two goals as good as you would see in Croke Park ensured us of victory. Donal Woulfe made a welcome return to the maroon and white with a commanding display in goals. The corner backs Philip Woulfe and Ala Browne were solid with Philip to the fore in the first half and Ala impressive in the second period. Mark O Connor at full back and Tom Greaney at centre back exuded class from start to finish while Mike Ahern and Raymond Brouder our wing backs dominated their area. Sean McGrath and Brian McKenna worked tirelessly at midfield, with Brian probably our best player, his excellent goal and point in the first half brought us into the game when we were struggling.
The wing half forwards Gary Carroll and Jamie O’Brien  were full of
running, with Jamie scoring what turned out to be the winning goal
from 20 yards after a blistering solo run.Centre half forward Brian
Ahern showed all his skill and vision to bring the players around him
into the game. John Geoghegan was a great target man  at full forward and also came to midfield to help out when needed. Sean Ahern was corner forward but covered every blade of grass,to handle a huge amount of ball while in the other corner was the youthfull Thomas Sexton who was outstanding in his first game at adult level, two different men tried to mark him but he led both a merry dance. Emmet White came on in the first half and showed well for the ball, being very unlucky not to score with a long range effort in the second half.John Hunt came on in the second half and also played his part.
We have a bye in the next round of the league so our next game is not till April 22 away to Newcastle West.

Result

West Intermediate Championship

Athea 2 10 Glin 1 12.
We opened our season with an extra time victory over Glin in
Abbeyfeale on the bank holiday Monday. This was an encouraging
performance with a number of younger players impressing. Goals from Tom Greaney and Kevin O`Keefe proved to be the difference in thw end. Best for Athea Mark O`Connor, Denis Greaney, Matthew Tierney,  Jamie Collins, Sean MCGrath and Kevin O`Mahony. Team: Ryan Carroll, Mark O`Connor, Tom Collins, Matthew Tierney, Conor Mullane, Mike Reidy, Denis Greaney, Ger Collins, Jamie Collins, Sean McGrath, Joe Vaughan, Darren Murphy, Tom Greaney, Kevin O`Keefe, Pa Ahern. Subs: Mike Ahern, Kevin O`Mahony, John Geoghan, Gary Carroll, Thomas Sexton.

Fixtures
Thursday 22 March

West Minor Championship (12 a side) V Cappagh/Kilcornan in Athea at 5.30pm
Friday 23 March

West Minor Championship Feale Rangers v Shannon Gaels in Athea at 5.30pm.
Sunday 25 March

County Intermediate League Athea v Claughan in Athea at 6 45.