Athea Utd Soccer
Youths Division 2 (Sat, March 26th)
Carrig Cel (0) 1
Athea Utd (1) 3 William Sexton, Adam Riordan, James Ryan
An under-strength youths were away to Carrig Celtic last Saturday afternoon and came home with a hard earned three one win. We knew it would be tough but with only ten players the task became that bit more difficult. William Sexton was operating as a lone striker on the day and it was he who got the opening goal in the first half when in a one on one with the keeper placed the ball under the keeper and this was a lead we preserved to the short whistle.
In the second half Carrig came more into the game and levelled matters early in the half and now it was game on again. Our midfield put in a big shift and we were rewarded with two late goals. Having won a corner the ball broke to Adam Riordan on the edge of the box and he sent a rocket of a shot into the bottom corner. Soon after we added a third when from a Carrig corner we counter attacked with William Sexton in a one on one again with the keeper but showed awareness to pass to the unmarked James Ryan to score into an empty net. Full time 3-1.
Team Mareks Apinis, Michael Ambrose, Evan Woulfe, Cillian Liston, Jack Vaughan, Adam Riordan, Sean Ryan, James Ryan, Liam McAuliffe, William Sexton.
Referee: John Roche.
U12 Division 3 (Sat, March 26th)
Creeves Cel (2) 3
Athea Utd (1) 2 Callum Buckley, Daire O’Shea
Our twelves were away to Creeves Celtic last Saturday in a league game and after a close contest it was the home side that came out on top by the odd goal in five. The strong breeze favoured the hosts in the opening half and this was a factor in Creeves taking the lead when a high ball somehow ended in the net. It took us a few minutes to regroup but once we did we gave as good as we got an what was proving to be an entertaining opening half. We were back on level terms six minutes from half time when we were awarded an indirect free kick which Callum Buckley fired to the net off a defender. But by half time Creeves had restored their lead.
The second half was just as entertaining with play going from end to end. Creeves did have slightly more possession and more chances but Gavin Mulvihill was very assured between the posts while Evin Curry had one of his best games this season. With about five minutes left the Creeves winger for once got behind our defence and his well struck shot was superbly saved by Gavin but unluckily for us the ball rebounded perfectly for their striker to score from close range. Many teams would have settled for this but this Athea team kept going and were rewarded when Daire O’Shea found the net from eighteen yards but try as we might just couldn’t get the third goal.
Team – Gavin Mulvihill, Gearoid O’Sullivan, Callum Buckley, Evin Curry, Michael Walsh, James Lee, Daire O’Shea, James Broderick, Donnacha Barrett, Shauna Sweeney, Killian O’Connor, Rory Mahony,
Referee: Pat King.
Reidy Cup S/F (Sun, March 27th)
Creeves Cel (1) 10
Athea Utd (4) 6
Kevin Murphy, Darren Murphy (3), Shane Mulvihill, John Cotter (after extra time)
We were away to Creeves Celtic last Sunday morning with a place in the Reidy Cup final at stake. Looking for the right word or phrase to describe what unfolded in Newbridge on Easter Sunday is certainly leaving me at a loss. This was a semi-final we should have won and you would have gotten long odds against us not advancing but great credit is due to Creeves who never gave up and a never say die attitude saw then through to this seasons Reidy Cup final.
We started well and after four minutes we were ahead when a cross by Darren Murphy was headed back across goal by Gerard Ahern to Kevin Murphy who headed to the net. Soon after Darren made it two nil after a through ball from Joe Vaughan and by the quarter hour mark a second goal from Darren had us three goals to the good. Creeves pulled one back on twenty three minutes after a good move down their right but we restored our two goal lead on thirty five minutes when Shane Mulvihill drilled a free kick around the wall and inside the left post from twenty two yards. We had two more good chances to increase our lead but at half time we led four one.
The second half began and little did any of the spectators present know what was about to unfold before their very eyes. Creeves made it four two before Darren completed his hat trick when a powerful shot from Kevin was only parried by the keeper and top scored Murphy slid home the rebound. Ahern then hit the left post with a header from Kevins cross before the former laid on goal number six for sub John Cotter. The soon to be enthralling semi-final one could argue turned in Creeves favour on seventy minutes. We were awarded a penalty when Cotter was fouled just inside the area and from the resultant penalty Murphys effort thundered off the crossbar. The home side quickly broke down their left and their winger shot low to the net. Two minutes later they scored again, this time they attacked down their right and the midfielder drilled a low shot inside the near post. For some unknown reason we lost our focus and Creeves now had the momentum and looked like scoring whenever they attacked. As the game headed to the ninetieth minute we were hanging on and this bizarre game took another twist when Creeves scored twice in the last two minutes to force extra time.
In the end we were relieved to get to extra time but that’s where the relief ended. Creeves went ahead for the first time when a shot deflected off a defender and we were down to ten players as Joe Vaughan picked up an injury. Two more goals in the first period of extra time sealed our fate before Creeves added a tenth from the penalty spot with three minutes left.
How does one analyse this match? Well it’s a game we should have won with all the chances we had but we didn’t take them and Creeves made us pay the price and a heavy price at that. Fair play to Creeves they never gave up even with the odds stacked against them they fought and battled and deserved to be in the Reidy Cup final and we wish them the best of luck in it. Hopefully we will have learned our lesson for next Sundays game in the league cup.
Team: Pa Ahern, Mike Reidy, Mathew Tierney, Padraig Reidy, Joe Vaughan, James Ryan, Gerard Ahern, Shane Mulvihill, Jamie Collins, Kevin Murphy, Darren Murphy. Subs Steven McEnery, Pa Kiely, John Cotter.
Referee Pat O’Connor.
FIXTURES
Wednesday, March 30th
U16s away to Granagh Utd at 6.30pm
Saturday, April 2nd
U10s home to Killeaney at 11.30am
U14s away to Broadford Utd B at 11am
Sunday April 3rd
Juniors away to Askeaton in the league cup at 11.30am
Monday April 4th
U12s away to Askeaton at 6.30pm
Tuesday April 5th
U14s away to Kildimo Utd at 6.30pm
TRAINING TIMES
U/8s on Saturdays at 11am
U10s on Tuesdays 6.30pm to 7.30pm
U12s on Wednesdays 7pm to 8.15pm
U14s on Thursdays 7pm to 8.15pm
U16s on Tuesdays 7.30pm to 8.30pm.
Youths on Wednesdays 6.30pm to 8pm
Juniors on Fridays at 7.30pm
LAST MAN STANDING
Our last man competition continues and now its starting to get exciting as those still standing as after week six we have just twelve still standing. For those twelve remaining we are looking for their selections for week seven (week ending (April 2nd / 3rd). Best of luck to those still in the running.
Mike Hayes is sponsoring this Last Man Standing competition and the club thanks him for his sponsorship. Prize money is €300 to the winner and €50 to the winning seller.
SYMPATHY
The club extends its deepest sympathy to the family and relations of Nora O’Connell, Athea Village who passed away last week. May She Rest In Peace
ATHEA UTD LOTTERY RESULTS FOR MONDAY, MARCH 28th
The results of our weekly lottery draw for March 28th at White’s Bar are as follows –
Jackpot was €23,400. Numbers drawn 1, 9, 15, 17.
No Jackpot Winner.
Lucky dips to the following – Dean Barrett, Listowel. Ann Flaherty, Dromreask. Ann O’Keeffe, Upper Athea. Ann Horgan c/o Kostal. Seanie Quinn c/o Top of the Town.
Sellers Etty Aherne & Karina Buckley.
New Jackpot €23,500 at Brown Joe’s on Monday, April 4th
Athea GAA
Club Limerick Draw (Mackey Draw):
The Club Limerick Draw (Mackey Draw) will recommence in March and we would really appreciate your support. The draw is an important source of revenue with 50% of all funds collected returned to the local club with the remaining money going towards the development of our county teams, the Green & white, etc. CLUB Limerick Draw also provides Clubs with Finance to Fund their ongoing developments both on and off the field. All members this year will receive a 10% discount card which can be used in Elverys, Limerick Race Course, Limerick Greyhound Stadium, Thomond Park Stadium, Irish Country Hotels and Timmy Macs Restaurant in the Woodlands House Hotel Adare. Like previous years there will be 10 monthly draws from March to December. This year’s prize fund has been increased with in excess of €300,000 up for grabs. For the March and June draws there will be a star 1st prize of €20,000 cash or a choice of car. The top prize for all remaining draws will be €10,000. The second prize will be €3,000, third prize €2,000 and fourth prize €1,000. With sixteen other cash prizes up for grabs plus a guaranteed Lotto Jackpot of €10,000 every month there are lots of chances to be a winner. If you would like to find out more and join for the coming year please feel free to contact any committee member or our draw coordinator Mairead Donovan.
Total Prize Fund in Excess of €360,000
Guaranteed Star Car Prizes March 161 LK & June 162 LK.
All draws
1st Prize €10,000
2nd Prize €3,000
3rd Prize €2,000
4th Prize €1,000
5th – 9th Prize €500
10th -20th Prize €250
Guaranteed Lotto Jackpot €10,000 Every Month (Match 4 numbers 1-36)
Results:
County Football League Division 2:
Saturday March 26:
Athea 0-07 Adare 1-11
West Junior B Football League:
Monday March 28:
Athea 2-09 Gerald Griffins 3-06
Fixtures:
County Football league Division 2:
Tuesday April 12:
Athea will play St. Senans in the County football league on Tuesday April 12 at 6.30pm. Venue to be confirmed. All support would be greatly appreciated.
West Junior B Football league:
Thursday March 31:
Athea are away to St. Kierans in Coolcappa in their second game of the West Junior B football league on Thursday March 31 at 6.30pm. All support would be greatly appreciated.
Thursday April 7:
Athea will play St. Senans away in the West Junior B football league on Thursday April 7 at 7pm.Venue to be confirmed. All support would be greatly appreciated.
Thursday April 14:
Athea will play Glin away in the West Junior B football league on Thursday April 14 at 7pm.Venue to be confimed. All support would be greatly appreciated.
County Minor Football 13aside:
Friday April 15:
Athea are away to Ballylanders in the first round of the county minor 13aside football competition on Friday April 15. Time to be confirmed. All support would be greatly appreciated
Intermediate Football Championship Draw 2016:
There are two groups of six teams who will contest the Championship.
Group 1: Cappamore, Glin, Claughaun, Mungret, Bruff & Galbally.
Group 2: St. Senans, Athea, Cappagh, Adare, Mountcollins & Castlemahon
Round 1: Athea v St. Senans,
Round 2: Athea v Cappagh,
Round 3: Athea v Castlemahon,
Round 4: Athea v Mountcollins,
Round 5: Athea v Adare.
Sympathy:
The Club would like to extend its deepest sympathy to the Denihan family on the passing of Nora O’ Connell, Gortnagross recently. May she rest in peace.
Congratulations:
The Club would like to congratulate Patrick Ahern of Garrygloss and Deirdre Fitzpatrick on their engagement. Wishing them both the best for the future.
Athea Coiste na nÓg:
Fixtures:
U15 Football :
Monday April 11:
Athea are away to Croom in the U15 football league on Monday April 11 at 6.15pm. All support would be greatly appreciated.
Féile Peil Na nÓg 2016:
Athea Coiste na nÓg are delighted to announce that we will be taking part and also be a host club in this year’s National Féile Football Competition (U14) which will take place on June 24- 26. Féile will be the biggest youth sporting event in Europe in 2016 and will take place in South West Munster with clubs from West Limerick, Kerry and North Cork hosting visiting teams. Our visiting club will bring twenty four players who will stay with host families in our Parish for the weekend and each club will play a minimum of four games. This is a great opportunity for our U14 team to take part in a National Football competition and it also gives all involved the chance to make new friends with players from clubs outside Limerick. For further Féile information please check out GAA Féile on Facebook or follow @ Féilegaa on Twitter. If anyone knows of any accommodation available in the parish and surrounding area that weekend for the families of the visiting team please contact Jacqueline at 086-0670091.
Cúl Camp:
We will be hosting our annual Cúl camp from Monday July 11 to Friday July 15. For any further information please contact Jacqueline at 086-0670091. More details to follow.