Athea United Soccer
“TWO OUT OF THREE AINT BAD”
Division 1 (Fri, August 21st)
Athea Utd (3) 5 Dylan Griffin (3), Darren Murphy, Kevin Murphy
Carrig Celtic (0) 2
After the disappointment of relegation last season we began our division one campaign at home to Carrig Celtic last Friday night. John Cotter is at the helm for the coming season and assisted by Joe O’Connor and they will be delighted by the performance that gave is a deserving 5-2 win. Early exchanges were even but gradually we began to create openings with the pace of our forward line proving a handful for the Carrig defence. Dylan Griffin opened the scoring for us on ten minutes when he placed the ball past the keeper after a through ball from Kevin Murphy and soon after Griffin doubled our lead by placing the ball past the keeper into the bottom left corner. Carrig had some good possession at times but our defence were standing firm. Indeed it was Athea that looked the likelier to score again and this was borne out when Griffin completed his hat trick with a contender for goal of the season as he found the top left corner from thirty yards. Half time 3-0.
The second half had Carrig having a lot of possession and it needed good defending to prevent them from scoring and we were lucky on a few occasions especially from set pieces. We made it four nil when Darren Murphy headed to the net from a Steven McEnery cross following a good move involving Ger Ahern and Kevin Murphy. Carrig got one back with a close range finish before we restored our four goal cushion when Darren set up brother Kevin to round the keeper and slot home. The visitors got a second from a corner in the closing minutes. A good start but there are plenty of challenges ahead of us.
Team: Gary Carroll, James Ryan, Mathew Tierney, Tom Collins, Mark O’Connor, Shane Mulvihill, Gerard Ahern, Steven McEnery, Darren Murphy, Dylan Griffin, Kevin Murphy. Subs used Mark Horgan, Peter O’Connor, Neilo Keane.
Referee: Paul O’Brien
Division 1 (Sun, August 23rd)
Glantine (1) 2 Athea Utd (1) 1 Darren Murphy
Our second game of the season was away to Glantine on Sunday morning and not for the first time they have proven to be a bogey side for us as Glantine won 2-1. They opened the scoring midway through the opening half before Darren Murphy had us level by half time and they got the winner in the second period. We had a lot of possession in the game but didnt create that many good chances and Glantine probably deserved to pick up the three points.
Team: Mark O’Connor, Mark Horgan, James Ryan, Mathew Tierney, Shane Mulvihill, Steven McEnery, Kevin Murphy, Gerard Ahern, Peter O’Connor, Darren Murphy, Dylan Griffin. Subs used John Cotter, William Cronin, Neilo Keane.
Referee: Eoin Barrett
Youths Division 2 (Sat, August 24th)
Athea Utd (1) 3 James Ryan, JJ Sheehy, Sean Ryan
Feenagh (0) 0
After a break of a few seasons we were back with a youths side and competing in division two. We played our first game against Feenagh at The Vales last Saturday afternoon and enjoyed a three nil win. James Ryan, who had a very good debut for our juniors the previous night in the 5-2 home win over Carrig Celtic put us ahead in the first half and we held this advantage to the interval. We played some nice soccer at times and this saw us add on two more after the break through JJ Sheehy and Sean Ryan. Our next game is away to Shannonside next Saturday afternoon.
FIXTURES
Saturday, August 29th –
Youths away to Shannonside at 2.30pm. (in Shanagolden)
Sunday, August 30th –
Juniors home to Feenagh at 11.30am.
Tuesday, September 1st –
U16s home to Broadford Utd at 6.45pm.
NOTE – The U12s start their season on either next Wednesday, September 2nd or Thursday, September 3rd.
OTHER START UP DATES
U10s commence on Saturday, September 5th
U14s commence on Saturday, September 5th
ATHEA UTD REGISTRATION FEES FOR 2015-16 SEASON
There is no change to the cost of club registration from the 2014-15 season so the fees for the upcoming 2015-16 season are as follows
U/8s, U/10s & U/12s €20 per player.
U/14s €25 per player.
U/16s €30 per player.
Youths €35 per player
UNDERAGE FAMILY DISCOUNT –
There will again be a family discount for families of underage players and for each additional child this will be €10 extra.
For example a family with an U/8 player and an U/10 player the registration will be €30, a family with an U/16 player and an U/12 the registration will be €40 while a family with a youths player and an U/14 player will be €45
IMPORTANT NOTICE –
In line with club policy no player(s) will be allowed play for Athea Utd in the schoolboy league or junior league until they have their registration paid. All managers are to collect the respective registration and to implement this club policy.
JUNIOR REGISTRATION NOTICE FOR 2015-16
Would all Junior players please take note that the registration fee for the coming 2015-16 season is €50.
REGISTRAR
Pa Walsh is the clubs registrar for the coming 2015/16 season.
TRAINING TIMES
U12s on Wednesdays 7pm to 8pm
U14s on Thursdays 7pm to 8.15pm
U16s on Tuesdays 7pm to 8pm.
Youths on Wednesdays 7pm to 8pm
ATHEA UTD LOTTERY RESULTS FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 24th
The results of our weekly lottery draw for Monday, August 24th at Brown Joe’s are as follows –
Jackpot was €20,400. Numbers drawn 16, 24, 25, 32.
No Jackpot Winner.
Lucky dips to the following – Kay O’Connor, Lower Athea. Addi Dillon, Ardagh. Carmel McMahon, Duagh. Agatha Barrett, Markievicz Park. Sean Fitzgerald, Athea.
Sellers Denis Murphy & Whites Bar.
New Jackpot €20,500 at Batt’s Bar on Monday, August 31st.
Congratulations
The club would like to congratulate former player and manager TJ Reidy on the magnificent achievement of cycling from Mizen to Malin Head in just three days. On Friday 7th August he set out from Mizen with 3 colleagues, Sean McCarron, Micheal Callaghan and fellow former Athea United player Denny Mulvihill. Unfortunately Denny was carrying a knee injury and had to retire after the first day. TJ’s teammates had both raced in the Tour of Ireland so he needed all his renowned strength and determination to reach Malin Head in Donegal, a distance of 650 kilometres in 3 days.
They had great backup in the form of former Irish international cyclist Billy Reidy who helped plot the route, drove the team bus and was on hand to give physio and advice when needed. Most people who attempt this feat do it over 4 days so to complete the course in a day less is all the more praiseworthy. The first leg took them to Limerick City, day two saw them reach Ballinamore in Leitrim, finally reaching Malin in Donegal on the third day at 5pm.Well done lads
Athea GAA
Matches:
County Minor 13 Aside:
Athea 5-06 Galtee Gaels 5-06
Our Minors played out an exciting draw on Tuesday evening last when Galtee Gaels made the long journey to Páirc na nGael in the Minor 13 Aside football championship. We got off to a blistering start when William Sexton scored a goal after forty seconds. Jack Denihan followed this up with an excellent point. Then we had goals from Brian O’ Connor, James Ryan and William Sexton to take a commanding lead. The visitors settled and came more into the game, they kicked three points in as many minutes and then they scored three goals on the trot to leave just one point between the teams at half time, Athea 4-01, Galtee Gaels 3-03. A goal and a point early on for Galtee Gaels gave them a three point lead. Our boys fought their way back into the game when James Ryan scored a free he had won himself and then Sean Ryan scored a cracker of a goal to restore our lead. Brian O’Connor increased our lead when he raised the white flag, but the visitors rattled us again when they scored their fifth goal of the night. Sean Ryan drew us level again with a well taken point, but Galtee Gaels responded with a point of their own to take the lead once again. William Sexton scored his second point but once again the visitors responded when they tapped over from close range. It looked all over, but a cross field ball from James Ryan found Ronan Hayes twenty five yards out and he scored a brilliant point with the outside of his right foot to level the match. When referee Billy Philips blew the final whistle the score line read Athea 5-06 Galtee Gaels 5-06. Team: Padraig O’Sullivan, TJ Doherty, Paul O’Mahony, Jason Kelly, Jason Dalton, Killian O’Donoghue, James Ryan, Sean Ryan, William Sexton, Jack Denihan, Padraic Walsh, Brian O’Connor, Ronan Hayes, Subs: Jack Vaughan & Micheál Ambrose.
Fixtures:
Monday August 31:
Minor 13 Aside:
Athea are at home to Croom in the Minor 13 Aside Championship on Monday August 31 at 7pm. All support would be greatly appreciated.
Tuesday September 15:
County Intermediate Football Championship Round 5:
Athea will play Oola in the final round of the County Intermediate Football Championship on Tuesday September 15 in Croagh at 6.30pm. All support would be greatly appreciated
Athea Coiste na nÓg:
Matches:
Sunday August 23:
U14:
Athea 3-07 Cappamore 7-04.
Our U14s played their County shield semi-final in front of a large crowd in Páirc na nGael on Sunday morning last. We had a huge panel of twenty five players togged on the day. We got off to a flying start when Jack O’Connor scored a goal and a point inside the first two minutes. Cappamore scored a point of their own, but further points from Ryan Greaney, TJ white and Brian English increased our lead. The visitors scored a goal and a point to close the gap, but John Sexton scored a great goal to the delight of the Athea supporters. Just before half time Cappamore scored a goal and a point to leave the score at the break Athea 2-04, Cappamore 2-03. John Sexton scored a great point at the start of the second half, but we suffered a severe setback when we conceded three goals midway through the half. A point each for John Sexton and Jamie O’Mahony closed the gap but we were caught on the break and conceded another goal. Our young team did not give up and Captain David O’ Connor caught the Cappamore team napping when he scored a super goal from a free kick. The final score read Athea 3-07, Cappamore 7-04. Unfortunately that was the end of the road for our U14s this year but great credit is due to them for the commitment they showed at all the matches and training sessions. Many thanks to the parents who travelled both near and far throughout the year and for supporting our boys at the games. Team: Evan Wallace, Eoin Sheahan, Alex McEldowney, Brandon Finucane, Seamus Leahy, Jamie O’Mahony, Thomas McEnery, John Sexton Jason Dillon, David O’Connor, TJ White, Eoin O’Shea, Brian English, Jack O’Connor, Ryan Greaney, Daire O’Shea, Pauric Enright, Luke Gleeson, Aidan Curry, Jack Hunt, Padraig McMahon, Colin Broderick, Danny Brady, TJ Hunt & Pierce O’Brien.
Fixtures:
Saturday September 5:
U16: Play Off:
Athea will play Deel Rangers away in a play-off on Saturday September 5. Cars leaving the village at 10am. All players must have gum shields. All support would be greatly appreciated.
Training:
Friday August 28: U6, U8 & U10:
Training continues for U6s, U8s and U10s in Páirc na nGael this Friday evening August 21 at 6.30pm. All players must have gum shields.
Tuesday September 1: U14:
Training continues for U14s in Páirc na nGael next Tuesday evening September 1 at 6pm. All players must have gum shields.
U12:
Training continues for U12s in Páirc na nGael next Tuesday evening September 1 at 6pm. All players must have gum shields.