Athea Utd

by Pat Mulvihill

THE B’s ARE GOING UP, UP, UP

Division 4 League
Shannonside B    (0) 0
Athea Utd B      (1) 2    Kevin Murphy, Gary Carroll.

History was created last Sunday morning when in only their second season in existence our Bs achieved promotion when getting the required result, a two nil win away to Shannonside B. It was a hard earned win but nonetheless a deserved one on a heavy pitch that tested the energy levels of both sides but in the end our Bs showed great resilience to get the job done.
Heading into the game on Sunday we knew it was going to be hard as we only had two subs as the squad was decimated with injuries but having said this all involved gave 110% and put the bodies on the line when the need arose. The early exchanges were even enough but gradually the homeside began to put us under a bit of pressure and in the opening fifteen minutes or so they had one or two chances. As well as this we were lucky to see a shot by one of their midfielders come back off the crossbar. After weathering the storm we at last began to come into the game and we had a good chance to open the scoring when Steven McEnery got past a defender and then was in on goal but another defender just about got back to put in a good tackle and clear the danger.
On the half hour mark we struck for the games opening goal when a John Geoghegan throw down the line picked out McEnery and in a race between himself and the keeper the Athea forward got to the ball first and squared it for Kevin Murphy to score his second ever junior goal and put us on the right track. After the goal we started to get into our stride an came close to a second when a well struck shot from distance by Mile Twomey forced the keeper to tip the ball over the bar. Soon after this the ball broke to Geoghegan on the edge of the penalty area but  the defender hit it just past the left post and so at half time we were a goal to the good.

We had chances too in the early part of the second half with Mark Horgan twice going close, firstly he volleyed just over from a corner while soon after the home keeper saved well from McEnery with the ball then rebounding to Horgan who shot inches wide. Twenty minutes into the second half we doubled our lead when a Kevin Murphy corner to the near post was met by Gary Carroll and he squeezed the ball home from an acute angle for his first goal of the season. It might have being his first but it was a crucial one as it gave us breathing space for the first time in the game. Five minutes later the homeside had a player receive a straight red card after a blatant foul on McEnery. Shannonside despite being a man down poured forward but a resolute Athea defence ensured there would be no goals conceded. Indeed we nearly scored again when Murphy was in a one on one with the keeper but the custodian pulled off a great save. And so in the end we emerged two nil winners and with it goes promotion in just our second season.

Well done to all the players and the management team on this great achievement of getting out of division four and we are the first side this season in the Desmond League to achieve promotion. Certainly the training and the pre season build up has reaped its reward. However there is still a lot more to be played for as we are in a very good position to go on and win the league. We have just one game left to play and that’s at home to Kilcornan where a draw will suffice to win the league while we also have the league cup to play with a two legged first round at home to Kilcornan. So plenty to look forward to still for the B’s
Team: Donal Woulfe, Tom Greaney, Sean McGrath, Raymond Brouder, John Geoghegan, Gary Carroll, Mathew Tierney, Mike Twomey, Mark Horgan, Kevin Murphy, Steven McEnery. Sub Dan McMahon, Bobby Barrett.
Referee Sean Hartnett.

Reidy Cup SF
Rathkeale B   (0) 1
Athea Utd A   (0) 0

The As relinquished their grip on the Reidy Cup with a very disappointing display away to Rathkeale B last Sunday afternoon. It was arguably our worst display of the season and overall Rathkeale B deserved their one nil win with the games only goal coming in the second half.
Team: Pa Ahern, Ryan Carroll, Jamie Collins, Joe Vaughan, Tom Collins, Kevin O’Keeffe, Cillian O’Connor, Joe Weir, Gerard Ahern, Darren Murphy,  Conor Mullane.
Sub used Padraig Reidy, Pa Ahern, John Cotter.
Referee Pat O’Connor.

FIXTURES
Saturday, March 10th
U/10s home to Granagh Utd in the cup at 1pm
U/19s away to Glin Rovers at 2.30pm
Sunday, March 4th –
NO JUNIOR GAMES ON SUNDAY
GOOD LUCK

The club wishes the very best of luck to Kevin Murphy, Ryan Carroll and  Gavin Dillon who are part of the Desmond Youths squad who will be playing DDSL in the FAI Youths Inter League Quarter Finl. This game takes place in Whitehall, Dublin next Sunday with a 2pm kick off.

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.

ATHEA UTD SCHOOLBOYS TABLE QUIZ

Athea Utd Schoolboys will be holding a Table Quiz at The Top of the Town on 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 Friday week, 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.

LOTTERY RESULTS MARCH 6th

The results of our lottery draw for Monday, March 6th at Donie’s are as follows – Jackpot was €5900.
Numbers drawn were 8, 9, 11, 16. No jackpot winner.
Lucky Dips to Donie McGrath, Glin.

Siobhan O’Connor, Ardagh.

Gerry Brouder, Gale View, Athea.

Rachel & Mary, 5 Gaelside, Athea.

Geraldine Healy, Brosna.
Sellers Margaret Reidy & Pat Hayes.
New jackpot will be €6000 on Monday, March 12th at Brown Joe’s.

 Athea Coist ne nOg

Saturday 3rd of March:
U14’s:   Athea 4-4    Adare 3-7
Athea U14’s were our first team out this season under the watchful eye of our new coaches Morgan O’ Connor, Conor Mullane and Tom Collins, when they took on Adare in the Feile Peile “B” competition on Saturday last. Athea were much the stronger team in the first half scoring 2-2, the first goal was scored by William McEnery following a rebound from the Adare goalkeeper and the second was scored by our midfielder James Ryan after a solo run through the middle. Our two points in the half were scored by William Sexton, one from a free. In the second half, Adare came back into the game and scored a total of 3-6, but Athea never left the side down as two great goals from full forward Brian Sheahan and a point each from Ronan Hayes and Shane Dalton ensured Athea got a well deserved draw at the final whistle. We now look forward to the replay Thursday evening in Adare at 5:15pm.

Team: Timothy Tierney, Padraig O’ Sullivan, Michael Ambrose, Micheál Dalton, TJ Doherty, Ronan Hayes, Cillian Liston, James Ryan, JJ Sheehy, Alan Kelly, William Sexton, Shane Dalton, William McEnery, Brian Sheahan, Donnacha McEnery, Jack Vaughan, Daniel McEldowney, Mareks Apinis & Jack Gleeson.
Hurling Training for U8’s & U10’s:

Hurling training for U8’s and U10’s has now finished in the hall. Training will continue in Dromtrasna school on Friday evening.
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.

Fixtures:
Replay:
Thursday 8th of March:
U14’s:
Athea U14’s are away to Adare on Thursday evening the 8th of March at 5:15pm. Cars will be leaving the village at 4:20pm sharp.
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’s first defeat in Division 4 of the Allianze Football League came at the hands of Clare in Ennis last Sunday when they lost on a scoreline of 0-10 to 0-09.

 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.