Athea Utd Soccer
“YOUTHS ARE LEAGUE CHAMPIONS”
Youths Division 2 League Playoff (Mon, May 2nd)
Athea Utd (1) 3 Ronan Hayes, Andy Ahern, Adam Riordan
Broadford Utd (0) 0
On Bank Holiday Monday, May 2nd Athea Utd youths were crowned league champions after a playoff win over Broadford, a game was played in the grounds of Newcastle West AFC. As the league progressed it became obvious that there was little to choose between ourselves and Broadford with our two league games both ending in draws. It was 2-2 at Cove Park on March 5th and 0-0 at The Vales on April 9th so it was fitting that a playoff would decide the destination of the league title.
Both sides took to the field on Monday and on a good surface there couldn’t be any reason for both sides to play good football. As expected early exchanges were tense, neither side wanting to give away any advantage unnecessarily. The first salvo of anger was on nine minutes when a Broadford free kick just outside the area was straight in to the arms of keeper Marek Apinis. Two minutes later we were ahead. We were awarded a free just on half way which Ronan Hayes delivered into the Broadford area and which eluded both defenders and attackers before hitting the left post and somehow ended in the net. The dubious panel met and agreed it was Ronan’s goal. Back came Broadford and another free kick outside the area was again saved by Marek. Broadford were attacking now but our defence was solid with left back Michael Dalton and centre half Evan Wolf in great form. John Sexton on the right of midfield was getting a lot of ball and was linking well with right full Hayes. On twenty three minutes the hard working Andy Ahern played a through ball to Liam McAuliffe whose low shot was gathered at the second attempt by their keeper. Half time 1-0 in a game of very few clear cut chances.
We started the second half on the attack and Sean Ryan went close with a left footed shot from twenty two yards that fizzled just past the right post. After this Broadford began to get on top for about the next fifteen minutes and it was in this spell that they came nearest to scoring. A shot on the turn brought a good save from Marek who turned the ball around his left hand post and from the corner the ball broke to a Broadford player whose half volley hit the bar and behind for a goal kick. After this we came back into the game again with James Ryan, brother Sean and Adam Riordan getting on top in midfield. Riordan went close on sixty seven minutes when a pass from McAuliffe gave him space to shoot and when his shot took a deflection off a defender the Broadford keeper did well to tip the ball over the bar. With fifteen minutes left we doubled our lead when Sean Ryan’s corner from the left was headed to the net by Ahern to give us a bit of a cushion. Broadford then won a few corners and then a free kick, the latter gathered confidently by Marek under his crossbar and then we looked like we might just get there. Then with three minutes left we made it three when the impressive Riordan got the ball inside the Broadford half and took it forward before firing it low across the keeper and inside the right post. That finished the scoring and minutes later referee Eoin Barrett sounded the final whistle and Athea Utd were champions.
After the game the Limerick Desmond Football Leagues Bernadette Hartnett presented Athea Utd captain James Ryan with the league trophy.
It has been a long year but it isn’t over yet as we have to play Broadford Utd again, this time in the league cup final and another tough game is in prospect. Well done to all the players and the management team of Joe O’Connor and Steven McEnery who have put in a lot of time and hard work.
On the day we had some good performances and it wouldn’t be fair to single out any one player, it was a team performance so well done again to all involved.
Team: Mareks Apinis, Ronan Hayes, Evan Woulfe, Cillian Liston, Michael Dalton, John Sexton, Sean Ryan, James Ryan, Adam Riordan, Andy Ahern, Liam McAuliffe. Sub Jack Vaughan. Referee: Eoin Barrett. Referees Assistants Pat O’Connor, Tom Fitzpatrick
Division 1 League (Sun, May 1st)
Rathkeale B (0) 1 Athea Utd (6) 7
Mark Horgan (3), Kevin Murphy (2), Darren Murphy, Maurice Hayes
We resumed our push for promotion last Sunday when we travelled to play Rathkeale B. We played some good soccer and were rewarded with a convincing seven one win with six of these in the first half. Scorer in chief on this occasion was Mark Horgan who grabbed a hat trick, his first at junior level, Kevin Murphy chipped in with a brace with Darren Murphy also netting while Maurice Hayes got a goal in the second half. This win leaves us one win away from a return back to the premier division with four league games left to play.
Team: Pa Ahern, Mike Reidy, Mathew Tierney, Shane Mulvihill, Padraig Reidy, Mark Horgan, Maurice Hayes, Joe Vaughan, Jamie Collins Kevin Murphy, Darren Murphy. Subs Ger Collins, Gerard Ahern, Pa Kiely Referee Liam O’Connor
Youths Division 2 League Cup S/F (Sat, April 30th)
Athea Utd (0) 3 Andy Ahern, James Ryan (2)
Shannonside (2) 2 (after extra time)
Last Saturday the youths were at home to Shannonside in the semi-final of the league cup. Like our home meeting in the league they gave us plenty of problems and they went into the half time break two good to the good. We had to dig deep and eventually we got two late goals from Andy Ahern and James Ryan to force extra time. We just about got over the line with another goal from Ryan in the second period of extra time. In the final we will be again be playing our great rivals Broadford Utd.
Team: Mareks Apinis, Ronan Hayes, Evan Woulfe, Cillian Liston, William McEnery, Michael Dalton, Sean Ryan, James Ryan, Andy Ahern, Adam Riordan, Milan Williams. Sub Jack Vaughan Referee: Sean Hartnett
U14 Division 3 (Sat, April 30th)
Athea Utd (1) 3 Michael Tierney, Eoin O’Shea, Daire O’Shea. Broadford Utd B (1) 2
The U14s got back on the winning ways after a couple of draws with a three two win at home to Broadford Utd B last Saturday morning. The visitors opened the scoring but we replied with a well taken goal from midfielder Michael Tierney to leave it all square at the break. Within a minute of the restart Broadford were back in front but we rallied and five minutes later Eoin O’Shea ran from midfield and drilled a low shot to the bottom right corner. After this it was nip and tuck with both sides having chances but we got the vital goal in the last minute when Daire O’Shea chipped the keeper with the ball hitting the crossbar on the way to the net.
Team: Tomas McEnery, Eoin Sheahan, Brandon Finucane, Shane Scanlon, Gavin Ambrose, Paraic Enright, Andrew O’Riordan, Michael Tierney, Evan Wallace, Jack Hunt, Eoin O’Shea, Daire O’Shea, Luke Gleeson, Jack Vaughan, Luke Gleeson. Referee: Donie Wallace
FIXTURES
Thursday, May 5th
U14s away to Newcastle West in the cup at 7pm
U16s home to Pallaskenry at 7p
Saturday, May 7th
Youths Division 2 League Cup Final v Broadford Utd in Abbeyfeale at 2.30pm
Sunday, May 8th
Juniors away to Carrig Celtic at 2.30pm
Thursday, May 12th
U16s home to Askeaton in the cup at 7pm
TRAINING TIMES
U/8s on Saturdays at 11am
U10s on Mondays 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
ATHEA UTD LOTTERY RESULTS FOR TUESDAY, May 3rd
The results of our weekly lottery draw for Tuesday, May 3rd will be published in next week’s club notes.
SUMMER SOCCER SCHOOLS 2016
Athea Utd are delighted to announce that we will be running a SportsDirect.com FAI Summer Soccer School camp this year. The camp will take place between Monday, July 25th and Friday, July 29th and is open to boys and girls of all abilities from 6-14 years of age.
This is a great opportunity for your child to develop their football skills, whilst making friends and having fun in the process. Entry to our camp costs €65 per child with a special sibling discount of €10 per child if one or more siblings join the same camp.
An exclusive FAI Summer Soccer School kit, football, and backpack is provided for all children who enrol on our camp this year.
Only a limited number of places are available at our camp this year so we urge people to book as soon as possible to avoid missing out.
To find out more, or book your child’s place at our club visitwww.summersoccerschools.ie
All coaches will be Garda vetted as per FAI policy.
Athea GAA
Matches:
County Intermediate Football Championship:
Friday April 30:
Athea 2-19 Cappagh 1-06
They say a week is a long time in football and so it was for our Intermediate team who after a poor performance against St. Senans in the first round put in a top class performance against Cappagh in Foynes on Friday evening last. In front of a large crowd of Athea supporters, our direct football was causing Cappagh all sorts of problems and we were five points to the good with only ten minutes gone on the clock. Shane Mulvihill with three frees, one from play and Pat Ahern with a beauty off his left leg. Cappagh got their first point of the game mid way through the half, but a point each from Darren Murphy and Shane Mulvihill gave us a six point lead. Cappagh responded with a goal against the run of play but Pat Ahern, Shane Mulvihill and Darren Murphy all raised white flags to put us into double figures. Just before the break both sides exchanged points to leave the half time score Athea 0-11, Cappagh 1-02. Athea continued their fine form in the second half with Kevin Murphy adding a point to the score board after a minute of play. Cappagh responded with a point of their own, but a scoring blitz from Athea put the result beyond doubt. Our boys score two goals and five points without reply. Pat Ahern and Kevin Murphy with the goals and Shane Mulvihill, Philip Collins, Darren Murphy and Pat Ahern with the points. Both teams exchanged late points and the final score read Athea 2-19, Cappagh 1-06. This was an outstanding team performance and a much needed boost as we break for the championship till the end of July. Team: Timmy Enright, Michael Reidy, Matthew Tierney, Padraig Reidy, Shane Tierney, Jonathan Fitzgerald, Tommy Quaid, Pa Chawke, Jamie Collins, Darren Murphy, James Ryan, Shane Mulvihill, Ger Collins, Pat Ahern & Kevin Murphy. Subs: Kevin Mahony, Philip Collins, Padraic Walsh, Gerard Ahern, Dan McMahon, Pa Kiely, Neilo Keane, Mark O’ Connor, Paul Mahony.
Club Draw 2016:
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 an increased prize fund of €12,000 to be won. Your support would be greatly appreciated as all monies raised will help fund the ongoing development of our pitch. Please contact Mairead Donovan on 087-7703673, if you have any queries. Our prizes this year is as follows:
€1000 fully paid up members prize
€200 Direct Debit members prize
Monthly Prize Money:
1st €500 , 2nd €150, 3rd €150, 4th €100, 5th €100, 6th €100 7th €100, 8th €100. Sellers Prize €50.
Congratulations:
Congratulations to Paul and Audrey Collins on the birth of their son Jack. No doubt he will follow in his father’s footsteps playing football.
Athea Coiste na nÓg:
Church Gate Collection:
Coiste na nÓg will be taking up our Annual church gate collection at all masses this weekend May 7 & 8. As always your support would be greatly appreciated.
Matches:
Friday April 30:
U12s:
Our U12s played their first game away to St. Kierans on Friday evening last. St. Kierans were very strong but our young team put in a great effort on the night, they worked hard and did their best, the half time score was St. Kierans 1-02 to Athea 0-00. In the second half St. Kierans scored 1-03, but we were all delighted when Athea scored a great goal mid way through the half to leave the final score Athea 1-00, St. Kierans 2 -05. Panel: Donnchadh Barrett, Calum Gleeson, Shauna Sweeney, Callum Buckley, Rory O’ Mahony, Daire O’Shea, Conor Mullane, Evan Curry, James Lee, James Broderick, Cillian O’ Connor & Gearoid O’ Sullivan.
Monday May 2:
U14s:
Athea 1-05 Shannon Gaels 2-02
Our U14s took to the field for the first time this year when they travelled to Glin to take on Shannon Gaels. This was a very exciting game with never more than a kick of a ball between the teams throughout the game. Scores were hard to come and it was Andrew O’ Riordan who opened the scoring with a great goal after seven minutes. The home-side responded with a goal of their own and then a minute later added a point to take the lead. Our backs were outstanding on the night with Jack Hunt, Alex McEldowney and Pierce O’ Brien playing out of their skin. Just before half time a long ball into the forwards was gathered by Colin Broderick and he laid it off to Andrew O’ Riordan who tapped it over the bar to leave the half time score, a goal and a point each. In the second half, Shannon Gaels put us under pressure and took the lead when they scored a goal after a few minutes. But our backs tightened up again with Thomas McEnery and Eoin Sheahan doing trojan work and Evan Wallace was solid as a rock in goals. We had other great displays on the night with Danny Brady, Eoin O’ Shea, Aidan Curry and Brandon Finucane all linking up creating scoring opportunities for our forwards. Andrew got on the score board again when he score a lovely point. Shortly afterwards Luke Gleeson scored a great point to close the gap and the sides were level when Andrew scored his third point of the evening. Shannon Gaels crept in front again when they scored a point, but the very impressive Alex McEldowney split the posts with the last kick of the game to leave the final score Athea 1-05, Shannon Gaels 2-02. Panel: Evan Wallace, Eoin Sheahan, Thomas McEnery, Pierce O’ Brien, Jack Hunt, Alex McEldowney, Eoin O’ Shea, Michael Tierney, Aidan Curry, Gavin Ambrose, Andrew O’ Riordan, Brandon Finucane, Luke Gleeson, Colin Broderick, T.J Hunt, Danny Brady, Padraig McMahon, Paraic Enright & Daire O’ Shea.
We would like to wish Michael Tierney a speedy recovery as he sustained an injury early in the game.
Fixtures:
U10: Saturday May 6:
Our U10s will take part in a blitz this Saturday morning May 6 hosted by St. Kierans at 10.30am. Venue will be confirmed by text to parents. Cars leaving the village at 9.50am. Gumshileds are compulsory. All support would be greatly appreciated.
U12:
Thursday May 12:
Our U12s are away to Dromcollogher/Broadford on Thursday evening May 12. Cars leaving the village at 5.45pm. Gumshileds are compulsory. All support would be greatly appreciated.
U8:
Friday May 13:
Our U8s will take part in a blitz on Friday evening May 13 hosted by Fr. Caseys in Abbeyfeale. Time will be confirmed by text to parents. Gumshileds are compulsory. All support would be greatly appreciated.
U14:
Wednesday May 11:
Our U14s will play Rathkeale on Wednesday evening May 11 at 7.15pm. Venue to be confirmed. Gumshileds are compulsory. 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 will 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 is Warwickshire and they will bring twenty four players who will stay with host families in our Parish for the weekend. 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 Face book 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.