Athea Utd
by Pat Mulvihill
YOUTHS PUSH MERVUE VERY CLOSE
FAI Youths Cup 5th Round
ATHEA UTD (0) 0
MERVUE UTD (1) 1
Last Sunday at The Vales our youths played one of the clubs biggest games ever when we hosted Mervue United from Galway in the last sixteen of the FAI Youths Cup. This was always going to be a tough ask against one of the top sides in the country but our lads weren’t daunted by the task and gave a very good account of themselves.
The early exchanges were very even with neither side dominating to any great degree and consequently there was very little in the way of chances being created. The games opening goal came midway through the opening half and as things turned out this proved to be the game winning goal when a cross from the left was dispatched to the net from close range by a Mervue midfielder. Soon after it looked like it was going to be two nil but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside. Between this and the interval we had one or two half chances, the best of which came to Maurice Hayes who was just wide with a decent effort and so at half time we trailed by a goal but were still very much in the contest.
We began the second half well and after only three minutes we came very close to an equalizer when Shane Mulvihills pass was flicked on by Ian Murphy and this gave Michael Woods space down the left and he crossed left footed an was very unlucky when the ball shaved the crossbar with the Mervue keeper caught flat footed. This spurred on the homeside and soon after midfielder Aaron O’Connor was unlucky to see his fine effort from twenty yards deflected behind for a corner. The next twenty five minutes or so saw Mervue have the more possession but didn’t create a whole pile mainly due to a determined and soli defensive display where Kevin Murphy at right back and centre-half Mark O’Connor both excelled. At the end of this twenty minute spell we nearly fell further behind when in quick succession we had to clear the ball off the line twice when Kevin Murphy and left full Jamie Sheehan both heading the ball off the line. Shane Mulvihill then went between the posts and while in this position he didn’t have a save to make he was grateful for centre half Ryan Carroll to make a telling goal line clearance.
Shortly afterwards at the other end Carroll almost had us level when Maurice Hayes rolled a free kick square to Carroll and his strike from outside the box was goal bound to the top corner until, luckily for Mervue it deflected off a defender and away for a corner. We still went looking for the equalizer and a diagonal pass from Hayes looked like it was set up nicely for sub Liam O’Connor for a strike on goal but at the last second the ball bobbled unkindly an that chance was gone. Jamie Sheehan did have a decent effort while attacking right back Murphy had a chance after being picked out by O’Connor but his chip was gathered under the crossbar by the Mervue keeper. That was the last meaningful action in an attacking sense by Athea as Mervue saw out the remaining minutes to progress to the last eight of this seasons FAI Youths Cup, the same stage their U17s also are in so you can see just how far we have progressed.
Team: Daniel Daly, Kevin Murphy, Jamie Sheehan, Ryan Carroll, Mark O’Connor, Dylan Murphy, Shane Mulvihill, Aaron O’Connor, Maurice Hayes, Michael Woods, Ian Murphy.
Subs used Liam O’Connor an Gary Vaughan. Also Sonny Sheehan, Michael Mullane, Jason Flaherty and Dan Mullane.
Referee: Paul O’Brien.
Referees Assistants: Pat O’Connor, Brian Barry.
THANKS
Athea Utd would like to thank our sponsors for the FAI Youths game last Sunday –
Rose at Brouder’s Shop.
Tom & Marcella O’Grady – Brown Joe’s Bar.
Paddy Lynch -Golden Vale Milk.
Katie & Ita for the Jaffa cakes all season.
West Limerick Resources.
Athea Utd would also like to thank all the people who helped in any way to make last Sunday’s game possible and for ensuring everything went smoothly.
FIXTURES
Saturday, March 3rd
U/19s away to Carrig Celtic at 2.30pm
Sunday, March 4th
Junior As away to Rathkeale B in Reidy Cup at 2.30pm.
Junior Bs away to Shannonside B 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 at 8pm and Fridays from 7 to 10pm.
LOTTERY RESULTS FEBRUARY 27th
The results of our lottery draw for Monday, February 27th at White’s Bar are as follows –
Jackpot was €5800.
Numbers drawn were 3, 12, 22, 29. No jackpot winner.
Lucky Dips to Catherine & Peter, Hillside Drive.
Michael Downey, Brosna.
Ann Sheehan, Newcastle West.
Johanna O’Connor, Ardagh.
Hanora Sheehy, Dublin.
Sellers Agatha & Ita McMahon.
New jackpot will be €5900 on Monday, March 5th at Batt’s Bar.
Athea Coiste na nÓg
Hurling Training for U8’s & U10’s:
Hurling training will continue for U8’s and U10’s this Friday evening the 2nd of March 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:
We had a great turn out for registration on Sunday last, 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.
Winners of the colouring competition are as follows:
Junior Infants: Callum O’ Mahony
Senior Infants: Ellen Smith
First Class: James Lee
Second Class: Pierce O’ Brien
Third Class: Sarah O’ Connor
Fourth Class: Ciara O’ Shea
Fifth Class: Niamh McDonagh
Fixtures:
Re-fixture:
Saturday 3rd of March:
U14’s:
Athea U14’s are at home to Adare on Saturday afternoon the 3rd of March at 2pm in Páirc na nGael. All players to be a the field for 1:30pm.
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 9th of March.
Athea 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
Athea Fishing Club
Athea Fishing Club held its AGM on Friday night 24th February at Brown Joe’s Bar. There was a great turn-out.
The new Committee elected for the 2012 Season is as follows:
Chairman-Timmy Sheehan.
Vice Chairman-Patrick Moore.
Secretary- Lorraine Mulvihill.
Vice Secretary – Mary O’Mahony.
Treasurer- John Fealy. Vice Treasurer-Pati Mulvihill. Youth Officers- Tom O’Brien, Jerry Brouder, Neddie Hanlon, Gerry Sheehan, Sean Wall, Pat Nolan and Ann Sheehan. PRO-Ann Mahony Sheehan.
First-Aid Officers -Pati Mulvihll and Lorraine Mulvihill.
We would like to take this opportunity to welcome on board this year’s new committee members – Tom O’Brien, Pati Mulvihill and Lorraine Mulvihill.
Permits for the 2012 season will go on sale the 1st of March at the following premises – Collins’ Shop, Brouder’s Shop and Sean Batt’s Bar. Prices for the 2012 permits are as follows – Family permits – €25. Adult Permits-€20. Juvenile Permits – €15. Day Permits-€10.
The Fishing Club intend to take the children on two day trips again this season but unfortunately due to the limited funds available and the cost of rod and worms we won’t be in a position to pay for these for the children this year. Therefore we are asking that all children will have their own rods and worms for the day trips or their own money to hire same at the venue, a letter will be issued to all parents regarding this information in due course.
As with all clubs at the moment fund-raising is vital in order to sustain the future of our club and we would like to take this opportunity to thank the Athea community for their support down through the years and ask that they would continue to support us in our fund-raising efforts this year.
Next committee meeting will be held at The Top of the Town, Athea on Friday 13th April. All committee members are asked to be present at 9.30pm. Watch this space for further news and Happy Fishing!!
Ann Mahony Sheehan 087-1371322.