Athea Utd
by Pat Mulvihill
Division 1 League Cup S/F
Athea Utd A (0) 2 Murphy, Collins Rockhill Rvs (0) 1
(aet)
Last Sunday afternoon our As hosted Rockhill Rovers in the semi final of the league cup and after 110 minutes of football we deservedly advanced to the division one league cup final for the second year in succession. Last year at Clounreask we lost 3-2 in extra time to the league champions Ballingarry so this tie around we will be looking to go one better.
Conditions were very testing for both sides at The Vales last Sunday with a very strong wind blowing directly down the pitch which made it near impossible to play any controlled football.
Contradictory it was but it was easier to play against the wind and three minutes into the second half we broke the deadlock. The move began when a great pass from Joe Weir picked out Cillian O’Connor wide on the right and from the end line put over a testing cross that the keeper didn’t deal with fully and when he spilled the ball Darren Murphy reacted quickest to head the ball to the net. This saw a period in the game where we were on top with Tom Collins and Padraig Reidy having a great game at the heart of the defence while Joe Vaughan, Ger Collins and Weir were playing great stuff in midfield. Rockhills best chances were coming from set pieces and went close with a free kick while Pa Ahern made a brilliant full length save to turn their midfielders well struck free around the butt of his left hand post.
We then had a great chance when Weir put O’Connor through on goal but the keeper denied the striker on the edge of the area. Soon after the visitors levelled the game when this time they did score from a free kick in a similar position in which they had earlier gone close from. At this stage we were own to ten players after a harsh red card and this game the initiative to Rockhill but super defending ensured we took the game to extra time. In the first period we contained the opposition and in the second period we seized our chance when Weir delivered a great free kick from the right in behind their defence and Ger Collins did the rest and send us into back to back league cup finals.
Team: Ahern, Carroll, Collins, Reidy, Collins, Weir, Vaughan, Horgan, Collins, O’Connor, Cotter. Subs used: Murphy, O’Keeffe, Reidy. Referee Donie O’Gorman.
Division 4 League Cup S/F
Athea Utd B (1) 2 I Murphy, K Murphy
Shannonside B (3) 5
(4-6 on aggregate)
The Bs season ended disappointedly last Sunday morning at The Vales when we shipped our worst result of the season to lose the semi final second leg of the league cup five two and six four on aggregate over the two legs. Its hard to pin point exactly what went wrong but we did play rather poor for long spells of the game and apart from a twenty minute spell in the latter stages of the second we never really looked threatening in front of goal. Uncharacteristic defensive mistakes were also a factor at the latter ends of both halves which was in stark contrast to the first leg seven days previous. Still the season was a success as we achieved our aim we had from the outset and that was to win the league and we now look forward to playing in a higher division next season.
For the record on Sunday Shannonside scored after three minutes to level the tie but Ian Murphy then equalized and we were again ahead on aggregate before two quick goals late in the half had the visitors ahead three one and four three overall. Midway through the second half Kevin Murphy made it three two on the day and all square on aggregate but with Shannonside having scored more away goals we needed another goal and we put the pressure on the visitors defence but in our best spell of the game we just couldn’t breach their defence. With the game entering its closing stages the visitors capitalized on poor defending to score two late goals and progress to the final where they will play Shountrade.
And so the Bs second season comes to a conclusion and with it comes the first piece of silverware with the league trophy resting in the trophy cabinet. We won ten of our twelve league games, had a 100% home league record and were the divisions top scorers with forty five goals and conceding just twelve. We were deserving league champions and very well done to all the players and the management team of Bobby Barrett and Paudie Lynch for bringing the first junior league title to the club since we won Division 2 in 2002.
Over the coming weeks I hope to have review of the Bs title winning season so watch this space.
Team: Woulfe, Geoghegan, Tierney, Greaney, McGrath, Twomey, Nash, Kiely, Murphy, McEnery, Murphy. Subs used: Horgan, Brouder. Referee Brian Nash.
FIXTURES
Sunday, May 6th
Junior As home to Old Mill in the league at 2.30pm
Monday, May 7th
U14s home to Adare Utd at 11.30am
Tuesday, May 8th
U16s away to Newcastle West Rovers in the cup at 7pm
Wednesday, May 9th
U10s home to Glin Rovers at 7pm
Thursday, May 10th
Youths home to Newcastle West Rovers at 7pm
ATHEA UTD TRAINING TIMES
U/8s on Tuesdays 6 to 7pm
U/10s on Wednesdays 6 to 7pm
U/14s on Monday 6 to 7pm.
Youths on Mondays 7 to 8.30pm, Wednesdays 6.30 to 8pm.
Junior As & Bs on Tuesdays and Fridays 7 to 10pm.
Eflow FAI SUMMER SOCCER SCHOOLS 2012
The time has come again to start thinking of what to do for the summer even though it sounds like a long way off. Again this year Athea Utd will be one of the hundreds of venues throughout the country that will be hosting a FAI Summer Soccer School which this year will be sponsored by eFlow An Post and will be known as the eFlow Summer Soccer Schools 2012. This years programme will run nationwide from July 2nd to August 31st.
The Athea Utd camp will again be held at The Vales and will run from Monday July 23rd to Friday July 27th so keep these days looking free for the eFlow Summer Soccer School at The Vales. The camps are open to boys and girls from 6 to 14 years of age and the camp will run daily from 10.30am to 3pm.
CHILD PROTECTION –
Child protection is paramount and at The Eflow Summer Soccer School at The Vales, and like all camps nationwide all coaches will be FAI accredited and all will be Garda Vetted.
CAMP GEAR – All participants at the camp will receive a full Umbro kit as well as a backpack and football as well as a certificate of participation.
BOOKINGS- Bookings are now being taken at www.fai.ie or www.summersoccerschools.ie or by phone on 1890 653653.
Bookings taken before June 15th will be €89 and after June 15th bookings will be €99.
DISCOUNT—There is also a family discount and you can get €10 for a second child, €20 for a third, €30 for a fourth and €40 for a fifth.
VENUE CO-ORDINATOR—The venue co-ordinator for the eFlow camp at The Vales is Pat Mulvihill and if you have any questions contact Pat on 0877934417.
ATHEA UTD LOTTERY RESULTS APRIL 30th
The results of our lottery draw for Monday, April 30th at Brown Joe’s are as follows
Jackpot was €3400. Numbers drawn 15,17, 27, 28. No jackpot winner.
Lucky dips to Kay Shanahan, Kilbaha, Moyvane. Peg Mulvihill, Athea. Colm Horgan, Kilmorna. Breda Hayes, Lower Athea. Jimmy Kelly, Hillside Drive.
Sellers Paudie Reidy & Pat Mulvihill.
New jackpot will be €3500 on Tuesday, May 8th at Batt’s Bar.
Athea Coiste na nÓg
Athea U8s who took part in a Blitz on Friday last
Matches:
U16’s:
Monday 23rd of April:
Athea 1-5 St.Kierans 0-4
Athea U16’s got their first win of the league when they took on St.Kierans in Páirc na nGael on Monday evening last. Athea dominated the first half being in control in most areas of the field. It was Roger Carmody who opened the scoring with a great point and then followed up with a great goal, when he blasted to the net after a fine solo run through the middle. Even though we had a lot of possession, we failed to convert it into scores. St.Kierans were next on the score
board with a point before William Mullane put one over for Athea to leave the half time score 1-2 to a 0-1. In the second half, St.Kierans came more into the game when they scored 2 points early on, Athea then settled once again and scored 3 unanswered points from Padraic Walsh, William Mullane and Jason Kelly to put us in control. A late attack from St.Kierans yielded only a point and Athea emerged winners on a
score line of Athea 1-5 to St.Kierans 0-4. Team: Kieran Harnett, Jason Dalton, Killian O’ Donoghue, Paul Mahony, William Mullane,Tommy Quaid, Roger Carmody, Padraic Walsh, William Sexton, Joey Kelly, Jason Kelly, Jack Denihan, Lorcan McAuliffe, Thomas Flaherty & Tony McAuliffe.
U12’s:
Thursday 26thof April:
Athea 3-1 St.Senans 1-1
Athea U12’s had their first match of the year when they travelled to Foynes to take on St.Senans on Thursday evening last. In an exciting match it was St.Senans who started the brighter when they scored a goal early on. Andy Ahern was the first to score for Athea after he blasted the ball to the net to level the score. Soon after a long ball in broke inside in the square and Jack O’ Connor was there to boot it into the goals. A point late on by St.Senans left the half time score Athea 2-0 to St.Senans 1-1. In the second half, we were much the
better team defensively as St.Senans failed to score for the rest of the match. Our defenders stood strong and let nothing past, they were backed up by David O’ Sullivan who had an outstanding game in goals. Shane Dalton who also had a fine game scored a great goal mid-way through the second half and this was followed up by a great point by Andy Ahern to leave the final score, Athea 3-1 to St.Senans 1-1. Team:
David O’ Sullivan, David O’ Connor, Micheal Dalton, Joseph Dalton, Jamie O’ Mahony, Shane Ambrose, Shane Dalton, John Sexton, Daniel McEldowney, Jason Dillon, Andy Ahern, Jack O’ Connor, Sean Barrett, David Sheahan & Donnacha Clancy.
U8’s:
Friday 27th of April:
Our U-8’s had their first Blitz of the year at home in Páirc na nGael on Friday evening last. We had teams for St.Kierans, Gerald Griffins, Askeaton/Ballysteen and Feohanagh/Castlemahon taking part, bringing with them up to one hundred children and all teams playing three games each. It was a great sight to see all the young boys and girls playing
Gaelic football and being cheered on by the huge crowd of supporters who had travelled with them. Our Athea team did extremely well in all their games and the coaches were very proud of their efforts on the night. We would like to thank all those who helped out on the night especially the four referees Derek Byrne, Paul Curry, John Hunt and David O’ Connor. We are all now looking forward to our next blitz in a months time. Team: Gavin Mulvihill, Daire O’ Shea, Callum Buckley,
Dylan Steward, Conor Fitzgerald, Chloe Kenrick, Clodagh Scanlon, Sarah Scanlon, Gearoid O’ Sullivan, Michael Walsh, James Broderick, Donnacha Barrett,Evan Curry, Conor Mullane, Calum Gleeson & Becky Broderick.
Upcoming Fixtures for the month of May:
Saturday 5th of May:
U15’s:Athea U15’s have matches against Dromcollogher/Broadford, Ballybricken/Bohermore and Knockainey in Mick Neville Park on Saturday 5th of May, first one starting at 10:30am. Cars will be leaving the village at 9:45am.
Monday 7th of May:
U16’s: Athea U16’s are away to Granagh/Ballingarry on Monday evening 7th of May at 7pm. A bus will leave the village at 5:45pm.
Monday 14th of May:
U10’s: Athea U10’s have their first blitz away in Kileedy on Monday evening the 14th of May. Cars will be leaving the village at 5:30pm.
Wednesday 16th of May:
U14’s: Athea U14’s are at home to Gerald Griffins on Wednesday evening 16th of May at 7:30pm in Páirc na nGael. All players to be a the field for 7pm.
Thursday 17th of May:
U12’s: Athea U12’s are at home to Gerald Griffins on Wednesday evening 16th of May at 6:45pm in Páirc na nGael. All players to be a the field for 6:15pm.
Friday 25th of May:
U8’s: Athea U8’s have a blitz away in Dromcollogher on Friday evening the 25th of May. Cars will be leaving the village at 5:30pm.
Wednesday 30th of May:
U14’s: Athea U14’s are away to Old Christians on Wednesday evening 30th ofMay at 7:30pm. A bus will be leaving the village a 5:45pm.
Thursday 31st of May:
U12’s: Athea U12’s are at home to Glin on Wednesday evening 31st of May at 6:45pm in Páirc na nGael. All players to be a the field for 6:15pm.
Training:
U14’s Wednesday 2nd of May:
Training continues this Wednesday evening 2nd of May for our U14’s from 6:45pm to 7:45pm in Páirc na nGael. Players are asked to be at the field for 6:40pm.
U12’s Wednesday 2nd of May:
Training continues this Wednesday evening 2nd of May for our U12’s from 7pm to 8pm in Páirc na nGael. Players are asked to be at the field for 6:55pm.
U6’s, U8’s & U10’s Friday 4th of May:
Training for U6’s, U8’s & U10’s continues this Friday evening 4th of May from 6:30pm to 7:30pm in Páirc na nGael.
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 County 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 4th of May.
Limerick Minors:
Well done to Mark O’ Connor & Denis Greaney who both played for the
Limerick Minors against Kerry in Austin Stack park Tralee on Tuesday
last.
Kerry Colleges:
James Ryan, son of Clare and Roger, Lower Athea was on the Tarbert
Comprehensive School football team that drew with Pobalscoil Chorcha
Dhuibhne(Dingle) in the Kerry Co schools under 14 final played in
Austin Stack park Tralee, in what was an excellent game. The Dingle
school are current Munster champions at all age groups. The final
score was 2–11 each with James scoring 1–1 from corner forward.
Athea G.A.A.
Result:
County Intermediate Football Championship Round 1,
Athea 0 06 Pallasgreen 0 09.
We played Pallasgreen in Askeaton last friday night. This was a tough phsical encounter with both sides finding scores hard to come by. We trailed by three points at the break. We had outstanding performances from Martin Chawke, Denis Greaney, Joe Vaughan and Kenin O`Mahony. We play Bruree in the second round. They had a two win over Gerald Griffins in round one while Claughan had a goal to spare in their victory against Rathkeale.
Team: Ryan Carroll, Podge Reidy, Martin Chawke, Matthew Tierney, Mark O`Connor, Paul Collins, Denis Greaney, Jamie Collins, Tom Collins, Sean McGrath, Mike Reidy, Pa Ahern, Kevin O`Mahony, Ger Collins, Tom Greaney. Subs: Joe Vaughan, Kevin O`Keeffe, Darren Murphy, Brian McKenna, Sean Ahern, Brian Ahern, John Cotter, Mike Ahern, John Geoghan, Conor Mullane.
Fixtures:
West Intermediate Final Athea V Rathkeale, Sunday 5 May in Croagh at 5 45.
West Junior B league Athea V Mountcollins, Tuesday 7 May in Mountcollins at 7pm.