Athea GAA
U21 County Championship Rd 1:
We play Fr. Casey’s in the first round of the County U21 Championship this Friday evening October 25 at 8pm in Mick Neville Park, Rathkeale. The format consists of two groups of six teams where three teams have chance to progress to the knock out stages. Top finishing team will go straight into a semi-final and the next two teams will play in a quarter final. Other teams in our group are Newcastlewest, Oola, Na Piarsaigh and St. Kieran’s. We are again joined with Mountcollins as “Feale Rangers”.
Club AGM:
Our AGM goes ahead this Friday evening October 25 at our Club house in Páirc na nGael. Starting time has been pushed out by fifteen minutes to 9.30pm on account of our U21 match on earlier. All new members are welcome on the night.
Club Draw:
Our next club draw will take place this Friday night October 25 after the A.G.M in Donie’s Bar.
Old Photographs:
The Club are still looking for any old photographs or match programmes from anyone that has them in the parish. Contact John Hunt or Lal Browne.
Sympathy:
The club would like to offer its sincere sympathy to the O’Sullivan Family on the passing of Thomas O’Sullivan, Carrigkerry. May he rest in peace.
Athea Coiste na nÓg:
Matches:
Sunday October 25:
U15 County Final:

Athea U15 County Champions after defeating St. Marys-Sean Finns in the County Final on Sunday last in Patrickswell.
Also in the photo are their coaches Morgan O’ Connor, Tom Collins and Denis Sheahan
All roads led to Patrickswell on Sunday afternoon last as our U15 team took on St Marys/Sean Finns in the county final. Having lost to them in last year’s U14 final and losing by a margin of four points earlier this year a tough task lay ahead of our boys. A large group of Athea supporters had gathered on the far side of the pitch and it was not long before they were cheering as William Sexton converted a penalty for our first goal of the match after two minutes. St. Marys/Sean Finns response was quick when they scored a goal of their own a few minutes later after a mix up in our backs. From Timothy Tierney’s super kick out Shane Ambrose did extremely well to catch the ball in the half back line, he then laid it of to Shane Dalton who’s low ball into the forwards found William Sexton and he left his man for dead burying the ball to the back of the net. Two points for the opposition left just the minimum between the teams but Liam McAuliffe, who had a fine game scored a great point and followed this up with a fisted goal from an Alan Kelly free after James Ryan had been fouled. Ronan Hayes showed what he could do when he scored a long range point along with a well taken goal to extend our lead midway through the half. St. Marys/Sean Finns tried hard to break down Athea’s defence but Padraig O’Sullivan, Cillian Liston and Micheál Dalton were giving nothing away soft. Athea’s team work was a sight to behold and an example of this was centre forward Alan Kelly back helping out his full back line to clear the ball when they were under pressure. James Ryan played a captain’s role throughout the match and his point after twenty minutes was one of the scores of the day, bursting up through the middle and tapping the ball over with his left leg. As half time approached, Ronan Hayes raised the white flag again to leave Athea with an eleven point lead at the break. The expected comeback in the second half from the opposition did not materialise, thanks to the hard work and commitment of our boys. Ronan Hayes tacked over two points early on and this was followed by a super point from JJ Sheehy who worked tirelessly at midfield all day long. St. Marys/Sean Finns had no answer for Athea’s dominance as William Sexton split the posts with a well taken point. A Ronan Hayes free kick deceived the opposition’s goalkeeper and sailed over his head and into the net. When the opposition did manage to break up the field our defence stood strong led by the powerful Conor Fitzgerald at fullback. William Sexton, James Ryan and Liam McAuliffe all added points to keep the scoreboard ticking over before Sean Ryan capped of a workman like performance at midfield when he added his name to the score sheet with a brilliantpoint. Brian Sheahan was unlucky not to score at this stage as his shot just crept wide of the post. With five minutes remaining the opposition registered their first score of the half with a point. Just before the final whistle both sides exchanged points, Alan Kelly getting the one for Athea to leave the final score Athea 5-13 St. Marys/Sean Finns 1-04. This was one of the finest team performances this year and Captain James Ryan accepted the Shield to the delight of all who were there to support the maroon and white. James thanked their coaches Tom, Morgan and Denis; he also thanked St. Marys/Sean Finns for a fine game, the referee and his umpires and all the parents and supporters who travelled to Patrickswell to cheer them on. James also wished Micheál Ambrose a speedy recovery from his recent injury. Great credit is due to coaches Tom Collins, Morgan O’Connor and Denis Sheahan for having this team well prepared and organised for last Sunday. A well-deserved treat was enjoyed by all at the club house afterwards and many thanks to Colleen Reidy for providing the hot food for the occasion.
Team: Timothy Tierney, Padraig O’Sullivan, Conor Fitzgerald, Micheál Dalton, Cillian Liston, James Ryan, Shane Ambrose, Sean Ryan, JJ Sheehy, Shane Dalton, Alan Kelly, Liam McAuliffe, Brian Sheahan, William Sexton, Ronan Hayes, Mark McAuliffe, Jack Vaughan, Jack Gleeson, John Sexton, Donnacha McEnery, William McEnery, David Sheahan, Micheál Ambrose & David O’Sullivan.
Well done:
The Club would like to say well done to our U15 football team and their coaches Tom Collins, Morgan O’ Connor and Denis Sheahan on winning the U15 County final in Patrickswell on Sunday evening last.
Athea United Soccer
“TWELVES PIPPED AT THE POST”
U12 DIVISON 3
Feenagh (1) 3
Athea Utd (1) 2 Andrew O’Riordan, TJ Hunt
Our U12s were away to league leaders Feenagh on Saturday knowing that it was going to be a tough match. Feenagh settled into the game quicker than our boys and after 10 minutes of the game, Feenagh scored. At this stage our side settle into the game and started to move the ball around with good passing movement between Paric Enright and Eoin O’Shea. Coming towards the end of the half we were awarded a free kick, 25 yards out from their goal. Andrew O’Riordan took the free and smacked it into the bottom left hand corner of the goal giving the keeper no chance. 1-1 at half time.
In the second half the game ebbed and flowed, we got a number of chances early in the half to score only for Thomas McEnerys touch to let him down. Then with 10 minutes remaining, Gavin Ambrose with great vision passed to Thomas McEnery who slid the ball into the rushing path of TJ Hunt who coolly slotted the ball home to make it 1-2.
But like our last game against Pallas we lost our shape and let Feenagh back into the game with Feenagh scoring shortly after our goal and with only a couple of minutes left they struck the winner from a defensive error on our behalf. Overall a good tough game, with outstanding performance all round especially Eoin Sheahan at right back and Evan Wallace in goals. Well done to all the boys.
Team: Evan Wallace, Eoin Sheahan, Alex McEldowney, Michael Tierney, Luke Gleeson, Andrew O’Riordan, Eoin O’Shea, Gavin Ambrose, Paric Enright, Thomas McEnery, Pierce O’Brien, Danny Brady, TJ Hunt, Jack Hunt, Shane Scanlon, Dare O’Shea.
Referee Sean Harnett
U14 DIVISON 2
Creeves Cel (2) 5
Athea Utd (0) 1 James Ryan
TEAM: Timothy Tierney, Padraig O’Sullivan, Ronan Hayes, Sean Ryan, Cillian Liston, Shane Dalton, Jack Vaughan, JJ Sheehy, James Ryan, Adam Riordan, Liam McAuliffe. Sub used William McEnery.
Referee Paul O’Brien.
DIVISION 2 LEAGUE
Athea Utd B (0) 1 Cillian O’Connor
Creeves Cel A (3) 3
Team: Tom Murphy, John Geoghegan, Michael Reidy, Padraig Horgan, Sean McGrath. Raymond Brouder, Mark Horgan, Gary Carroll, Michael Twomey, Colm Hassett, Steven McEnery. Subs used Cillian O’Connor, Pa Chawke, Emmet White,
Referee: Paul O’Brien
ATHEA UTD FIXTURES
Saturday, October 26th
U10s home to Ferry Rangers at 2pm.
U14s home to Carrig Celtic at 12.15pm.
Monday, October 28th
U12s home to Mountcollins at 2pm.
U16s away to Newcastle West Rovers at 11.30am.
ATHEA UTD LOTTERY RESULTS FOR MONDAY, OCTOBER 21st
The results of our weekly lottery draw held on Monday, October 21st at The Top of the Town are as follows –
Jackpot was €11,000. Numbers drawn 16, 17, 20, 22. No jackpot winner.
Lucky dips to the following –
Breda Foley, Ardagh. Betty & Jim c/o Duagh PO. Hannie Dalton, Glenbawn. John Mullins, Ardagh. Paudie Reidy, Upper Athea.
Sellers Agatha & Clare Ryan.
New jackpot will be €11,100 on Monday, October 28th at Donie’s.