Athea Utd Soccer
LAST MAN STANDING – WE HAVE AN OUTCOME
Our last man standing competition concluded last week and its a case of honours even. The two people still standing, Diarmuid H and Anto Collins both picked Stoke City but their draw at home to struggling Sunderland means a share of the €300. Brown Joe’s Bar are sponsoring this Last Man Standing Competition and the club thanks them for their sponsorship. We also have a €50 sellers prize and this will be shared by the two winning promoters. Arrangements will be made directly to the winners in order to claim their prize.
The club wishes to thank all those who supported the last man standing competition by buying lines or selling them and a big thanks to Brown Joes for sponsoring the competition.
AWARDS NIGHT
The Annual Athea Utd Awards Night will take place on Friday week, May 8th, 2015 at The Top of the Town. More details to follow nearer the date.
AGM
Athea Utd will hold its Annual General Meeting on Saturday, May 23rd 2015 at The Top of the Town. We will have more details nearer the date.
TRAINING AT THE VALES
In 2008 we undertook a major development with the installation of a synthetic training area, known as ‘FIELDTURF’ which is the only one of its kind in Co. Limerick and is approved to FIFA standards. There has being a hugh amount of interest from clubs, leagues, companies in the years since. To book your slot for either training or leisure contact Pat on (087)7934417 or Denis on (087)2069900. Slots are very limited so ring us today.
ATHEA UTD LOTTERY RESULTS FOR MONDAY, APRIL 27th
The results of our weekly lottery draw for Monday, April 27th at Batt’s Bar are as follows –
Jackpot was €18,700. Numbers drawn 10, 12, 29, 31.
No Jackpot Winner.
Lucky dips to the following – Ger Ahern, Athea. Wild Geese c/o Rose. Grace O’Connor, Cratloe. John Horgan, Hillside Drive, Athea. Margaret Gaire, Duagh.
Sellers Agatha & Margaret Dalton
New Jackpot €18,800 at JP’s on Monday, May 4th.
Athea GAA
Matches:
Saturday April 25:
County Intermediate Football Championship Round 1:
Athea 2-08 Glin 0-08
Our Intermediates got their Championship campaign off to the perfect start when they beat Glin by six points following a powerful second half performance in Foynes. It was a perfect Saturday evening for football and there was great excitement as both sets of supporters gathered for the 7pm throw-in. The County Junior A champions from last year were quick of the mark and scored two points inside the first two minutes. Our boys settled and Neilus Hunt scored a long range point after great work by Patrick Ahern. Shortly after Jamie Collins was fouled following a surging run up the middle and Shane Mulvihill tapped over the resulting free to level the match. Glin were putting our backs under pressure and scored a point to take the lead. Two minutes later Glin attacked again, but Jonathan Fitzgerald pulled of a brilliant save to deny a certain goal. The hard working Shane Tierney set up Patrick Ahern who rose the white flag to level the match again. The opposition were using the short kick out to great effect and scored two more points. Shane Mulvihill pointed a free after Patrick Ahern was fouled and just before half time Glin got another point to leave us trailing at the break by two points, Athea 0-04 Glin 0-06. The start to the second half was going to be crucial and after four minutes when substitute James Ryan got on the ball, he headed straight for goal and was fouled inside the box and referee Jason Mullins had no hesitation signaling for a penalty. Gerard Ahern made no mistake from the penalty to put us into the lead for the first time. Two minutes later Glin attacked, but our defense stood firm, captain Matthew Tierney won the ball, raced up the field, played a one two with Kevin Murphy and then he passed it to the unmarked Gerard Ahern who buried it low under the keeper for our second goal to the delight of the Athea supporters. Glin fought back and scored two points to close the gap with twenty minutes left on the clock. A big performance was needed for the rest of the match if we were to hold on and that’s what our boys gave under new manager Pat Higgins. Our six backs kept Glin scoreless for the rest of the match, our midfield were on top and our forwards were on fire. Kevin Murphy fired over the ball over the bar to give us a three point lead. Shortly after the youngest man on the team James Ryan went on another one of his menacing runs, he was fouled in front of the post and Shane Mulvihill split the posts with the resulting free. Our boys who are flying fit thanks to trainer Colm Hassett kept up the pressure until the final whistle and Shane Mulvihill scored two more frees to leave the final score Athea 2-08, Glin 0-06. This was a super performance by the Maroon and White and we are already looking forward to our next Championship game against Cappamore in a few weeks. Team: Jonathan Fitzgerald, Michael Reidy, Matthew Tierney, Raymond Brouder, Denis Greaney, Tom Collins, Shane Mulvihill (0-5), Jamie Collins, Pa Chawke, Dylan Griffin, Neilus Hunt (0-1), Shane Tierney, Gerard Ahern (2-0), Patrick Ahern (0-1), Kevin Murphy (0-1). Subs: James Ryan (Raymond Brouder), Ger Collins (Pa Chawke), Kieran Harnett, Dan McMahon, Eoin McCarthy, Brian Murphy, Padraig Reidy & Pa Kiely.
Friday April 24: West Minor A Championship:
Athea/Mountcollins Rangers 2-09 Ballysteen 1-09
Athea/Mountcollins Rangers had a three point win over Ballysteen in their first game of the year against Ballysteen in Páirc na nGael on Friday evening last. We got off to a great start with points from Padraig Collins, Sean Ryan and James Ryan. We then scored a super goal when Sean Ryan raced onto a long ball in, rounded his man and drove it low into the net. Ballysteen came back into the game and scored two points. Our response was quick when the ball broke inside the square and Jason Kelly fired it into the back of the net. Two great points from play from the boot of Mikie O’Mahony gave us a nine point lead at half time, Athea/Mountcollins Rangers 2-05, Ballysteen 0-02. The opposition came back in the second half and scored three unanswered points to close the gap. Sean Ryan and Padraig Collins scored a point each, but Ballysteen came back again and scored a goal and two points to leave just three points between the teams. Sean Ryan tapped over once again, but shortly afterwards Ballysteen scored two points with a few minutes left on the clock. The visitors piled on the pressure, but our defense were up to it and Jason Kelly got the final score of the match with a well taken point to leave the final score Athea/Mountcollins Rangers 2-09, Ballysteen 1-09. Team: Johnny Stack, Jason Dalton, Diarmuid Flanagan, Killian O’ Donoghue, Tommy Quaid, Timmy Finnegan, Evan Larkin, James Ryan, Gavin O’ Reilly, Jason Kelly, Mikie O’ Mahony, Jack Denihan, Brian O’ Connor, Padraig Collins & Sean Ryan. Subs: Ronan Hayes, Paul O’ Mahony, Ronan Lacey, Chris Scannell, Conor Fitzgerald, T.J Doherty, Tony McAuliffe, Jesse O’ Mahoney, Padraig O’ Sullivan & Michael Collins.
Sunday April 26:
County Minor 13 aside Championship:
Athea received a walkover from Castlemahon in the first round of the Minor 13 aside championship on Sunday last.
Fixtures:
Junior B Football League:
Tuesday May 5:
Athea Junior Bs are home to Mountcollins on Tuesday evening May 5 at 7.30pm. Players to be at the field for 6.45pm. All support would be greatly appreciated.
Intermediate Football Championship Round One:
Saturday May 9:
We will play Cappamore in the second round of the Intermediate Football Championship Saturday May 9 at 7pm in Feenagh. All support would be greatly appreciated.
Minor 13 aside County Football Championship Round Two:
Friday May 15:
Athea are away to Crecora/Manister in the second round of the County 13 aside Football Championship on Friday evening May15 at 7.30pm. Cars leaving the village at 6pm sharp. All support would be greatly.
Club Draw 2015:
It’s that time of year again when our ticket sellers will be out and about shortly selling tickets for our Club Draw. There are eight draws again this year, with a total prize fund of €11,800 to be won. Please contact Mairead Donovan on 087-7703673, if you have any queries.
Fun Run/Adventure Run:
Following on from last year’s very enjoyable Adventure run/Fun run, the Club has decided to hold another Fun Run/Adventure Run on Sunday June 7. If anyone would like to help out or get involved in anyway, please contact Kevin O’ Keeffe on 087-7636568.
Intermediate Football Championship Draw 2015:
There are two groups of six teams who will contest the Championship.
Group 1: Claughaun, Feohanagh/Castlemahon, St.Senans, Mountcollins, Hospital/Herbertstown & Bruff.
Group 2: Oola, Mungret, Galbally, Cappamore, Athea & Glin
Round 2: Athea V Cappamore, May 8-10
Round 3: Athea V Galbally, June 5-7
Round 4: Athea V Mungret, August 7-9
Round 5: Athea V Oola, August 28-30
Quarter-Final: September 5
Semi-Final: September 19
Final: October: 3
West Junior B Football Championship Draw 2015:
We are in group B in the Junior B Championship along with Rathkeale, Ballysteen, Glin and St.Kierans.
County Minor 13 aside Football Championship Draw 2015:
There are eight teams contesting the County Minor 13 aside competition this year. Athea, Castlemahon, Crecora Manister, Mountcollins, Kilteely/Dromkeen, Croom, Galtee Gaels & Granagh/Ballingarry.
West Minor A Football Championship Draw 2015:
There are four teams contesting the Minor A Championship Athea/Mountcollins Rangers, Ballysteen, Deel Rangers and Gael na Sionna.
Munster Minor Championship:
The Club would like to wish James Ryan who is a member of the Limerick Minor football panel all the best as Limerick play Clare in the Munster Minor Football Championship tonight Wednesday April 29 in Ennis at 7pm.
Athea Coiste na nÓg:
Matches:
Saturday April 25: U8
Our U8’s attended their first blitz of the year in Mick Neville Park on Saturday morning last. We had nine boys togged out and they did very well in matches against Newcastle West, Castlemahon and a Mountcollins/Kildimo/Pallaskenry combination. Players got to play in all the different positions throughout the three games and they all played extremely well. Panel: Louis O’ Sullivan, Jack Sexton, Jamie Collins, Jamie Flynn, Alex Quinn, Tony Ahern, Jim Ahern, Sean Twomey & Tomás Ahern.
Monday April 27: U16
Athea 5-10 Askeaton/Ballysteen 1-03
Our U16’s continued their good run of form with a very convincing win over Askeaton/Ballysteen in Páirc na nGael on Monday evening last. We started with a goal blitz, when Brian Sheahan hit the net four times in the first fifteen minutes. The visitors came back to score a goal and a point to close the gap. But shortly after Sean Ryan and Liam McAuliffe scored a point each from long range to increase our lead. Brian Sheahan got in for his fifth goal of the evening to give us a commanding lead. Our mid-field pairing of Alan Kelly and Sean Ryan were well on top and our defense closed down any attacks that the opposition could throw at us. Just before half time Liam McAuliffe and Brian Sheahan scored a point each to leave the half time score Athea 5-04, Askeaton/Ballysteen 1-01. In the second half, playing into a strong wind it was always going to be tough, but our boys played excellent football with Liam McAuliffe being the first on the score board with a well taken point. Sean Ryan then exchanged points with the opposition. Alan Kelly increased our lead and Cillian Liston added a further point with five minutes left on the clock. Askeaton/Ballysteen got their second point of the half from a free and just before the final whistle Sean Ryan and Liam McAuliffe got a point each to leave the final score Athea 5-10, Askeaton/Ballysteen 1-03. This was a great team performance before the break for the exams. Well done to all. Panel: David O’ Sullivan, Daniel McEldowney, Shane Ambrose, Mark McAuliffe, Cillian Liston, Micheál Ambrose, Micheál Dalton, Alan Kelly, Sean Ryan, Liam McAuliffe, John Sexton, Jack Vaughan, Jack Gleeson, Brian Sheahan, Andy Ahern, Shane Dalton, Jack O’ Connor & David O’ Connor.
Fixtures:
Thursday May 7: U12:
Athea U12s will play Kileedy at home on Thursday evening May 7 at 6.45pm. Players to be at the field for 6.15pm. All Players must have gum shields.
Training:
Friday May 1: U6, U8 & 10:
Training continues for U6s, U8s and U10s this Friday May 1 in Páirc na nGael at 6.30pm. All Players must have gum shields.
Tuesday May 5: U14:
Training continues for U14s in Páirc na nGael this Tuesday evening May 5 at 6.30pm. All players must have gum shields.
Cúl Camp:
This year’s Cúl camp will be held on the week of July 6th to 10th. Further details to follow or please contact Jacqueline on 086-0670091.
Well Done:
Well done to Shane Ambrose who has been selected to attend the West Munster U15 Rugby Cadets.