Athea GAA

Munster Minor Football Semi-Final:

We would like to wish the Limerick Minor Football team and management especially our Club players James and Sean Ryan the very best of luck as they face Cork in Páirc Uí Rinn on Thursday evening at 7pm.

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 member’s prize

€200 Direct Debit member’s prize

Monthly Prize Money:

1^st €500, 2^nd €150, 3^rd €150, 4^th €100, 5^th €100, 6^th €100, 7^th €100, 8^th €100

Sellers Prize €50.

Athea Coiste na nÓg:

Sponsored 5K Solo /Walk/Run & Bake Sale:

We will be holding a sponsored 5k Solo/Walk/Run around the newly constructed path in Páirc na nGael on Sunday May 22 at 1pm. The U14 Féile team will solo a football around the path, relay style and all are welcome to join in by walking or running with the team. All funds raised are going directly towards the cost of hosting Féile. There will also be a bake sale on the day and if anyone would like to donate some goodies for the bake sale please contact Jacqueline on 086-0670091. All our boys on the Féile panel will be out and about with sponsorship cards for the 5k team solo. This will be a family day out and your support would be greatly appreciated in making our fundraiser a great success.

Church Gate Collection:

Coiste na nÓg will like to thank all those who gave so generously to our church gate collection last weekend. As always your support is greatly appreciated.

Matches:

Saturday May 7:

U14s:

Athea 3-05                        St. Kierans 3-02

Our U14s played their second game of the year when they travelled to Coolcappa to take on St.Kierans. It was a very exciting game with free flowing football played by both sides. Five minutes into the game St.Kierans opened the scoring with a point. Shortly afterwards a great move involving Aidan Curry and Andrew O’ Riordan ended with T.J Hunt raising the white flag for Athea. St.Kierans threatened on several occasions but our backs were outstanding and gave their forwards little opportunity to score. We got our second point when Danny Brady set up Andrew O’ Riordan to tap over the bar from close range. With ten minutes left to the break we conceded a goal, but our response was good and great play by T.J Hunt set up Aidan Curry who blasted the ball to the back of the net to leave the half time score, Athea 1-02, St.Kierans 1-01. It was all to play for in the second half and it was the home-side who scored a goal within the first two minutes. But like the previous half our response was good and we were awarded a penalty when Daire O’ Shea was fouled in the box. Daire converted the penalty himself to restore our two point lead. Another point for the home-side left just one between the teams, but Pierce O’ Brien, Jack Hunt and Thomas McEnery were excellent in the backs making sure St.Kierans were kept at bay. A point each from Andrew and Daire extended our lead and a rocket of a goal from Gavin Ambrose gave us a five point advantage with ten minutes left on the clock. St.Kierans came back into the game, but once again they found it hard to break down our tight marking defenders. Gavin Ambrose added another point to his tally, but shortly afterwards a goal from St.Kierans left just three points between the teams with minutes remaining. We held on to our lead and the score-line read Athea 3-05, St. Kierans 3-02 at the final whistle. Well done to all the boys on a fantastic team performance on the night.  Panel: Gavin Mulvihill, Eoin Sheahan, Thomas McEnery, Pierce O’ Brien, Jack Hunt, Alex McEldowney, Brandon Finucane, Eoin O’ Shea, Aidan Curry, Gavin Ambrose, Andrew O’ Riordan, T.J Hunt, Danny Brady, Daire O’ Shea, Adam Byrne & Luke Gleeson.

Fixtures:

U14:

Wednesday May 11:

Our U14s will play Rathkeale this evening Wednesday May 12 in Templeglantine. Cars leaving the village at 6.20pm. Gumshields are compulsory. All support would be greatly appreciated.

U12:

Tuesday May 17:

Our U12s are away to Dromcollogher/Broadford on Tuesday evening May 17. Cars leaving the village at 6pm. Gumshields are compulsory. All support would be greatly appreciated.

U8:

Friday May 13:

Our U8s will take part in a blitz this Friday evening May 13 hosted by Fr.Caseys in Abbeyfeale. Time will be confirmed by text to parents. Gumshields 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.

Athea Utd Soccer

YOUTHS CLAIM HISTORIC DOUBLE

Youths Division 2 League Cup Final (Sat, May 7^th)

Athea Utd         (1) 1   James Ryan

Broadford Utd  (0) 0 

Athea Utd claimed their first ever youths double when we won the division two league cup with a 1-0 win great rivals Broadford Utd in Abbeyfeale last Saturday afternoon. The early exchanges were cagey with neither side wanting to make any errors with few clear chances being created. We won a few free kicks, one of which was taken by Ronan Hayes that deflected for a corner while centre forward Liam McAuliffe won another corner but neither posed much danger to the Broadford goals. Broadford had the first chance when a free kick ran through to  Mareks Apinis whose sliced clearance fell to their number ten who fired well over. On twenty one minutes our chance when  fine work by James Ryan saw him send in a low cross from the left that Andy Ahern flicked on and brought a good save from the keeper.

Two minutes later came the only goal of the game when a quick throw picked out Ryan whose strength took him to the end line and past two defenders before drilling a powerful shot to the net. Liam McAuliffe then curled an effort just over the bar after great work in midfield from Ryan and brother Sean. At the other end good play by Michael Dalton saw him clear the danger after the Broadford winger sent over a teasing cross from the left while the Broadford number eight headed over from a corner a minute later. Half time came with Athea a goal to the good.

Broadford started the second half on the attack but it wasn’t long before Athea began to get into their stride. Evan Woulfe and Cillian Liston were solid in the centre of defence with Adam Riordan on the left wing keeping the Broadford defence on the back foot and a great run saw him fouled with the free kick cleared away at the back post. We were having a lot of possession now and soon had a man advantage when they had a player sent off. Ahern was then played through by John Sexton but was fouled just outside the box by the keeper with the free coming back off the wall. Sean Ryan then helped out his defence with a great defensive header from a free kick sent in with pace.

Midway through the half James Ryan had a great chance to put us further ahead when he got behind their defence with only the keeper to beat, he took the ball around the keeper but shot agonisingly wide of the right post. Broadford did have a shot on target with a free kick but it was straight at Mareks. Meanwhile Ahern at the other end had a great chance after showing great determination initially to hold off his marker and should have taken a shot but after two attempts the Broadford defence eventually cleared the ball. Milan Williams, with his great pace, almost stretched our lead only for the keeper to get a vital touch to get the ball away. With time almost up the impressive Riordans directness won another corner as Athea finished strongly and we probably should have added another goal or two. As it turned out one goal was enough to create another piece of Athea Utd history, our first ever youths double.

It has been a long season but one that has paid dividends in the end. We played twelve league games, winning nine, had two draws and our only loss was against Pallaskenry where were very under strength on that day. In those league games we scored thirty seven goals and conceding just nine. Our only other domestic loss was in the Desmond Cup semi final where we lost to division one champions Rathkeale. So well done to all the players who worked and trained hard on good nights and bad and a special mention to managers Joe O’Connor and Steven McEnery for their enthusiasm and energy in galvanising this bunch of players into double winners.

After the game the Limerick Desmond Football Leagues Bernadette Hartnett presented Athea Utd captain James Ryan with the league cup trophy.

Player of the match Sean Ryan (Athea Utd) 

Team: Mareks Apinis, Ronan Hayes, Evan Woulfe, Cillian Liston, Michael Dalton, John Sexton, Sean Ryan, James Ryan, Adam Riordan, Andy Ahern, Liam McAuliffe. Subs used Jack Vaughan, Milan Williams. Referee Pat King. 

Referees Assistants Donie O’Gorman, Jim Molyneaux

Division 1 League (Sun, May 8^th)

Carrig Cel (1) 1

Athea Utd (1) 3     Kevin Murphy (2), Shane Mulvihill

The top of the table clash away to Carrig Celtic last Sunday afternoon was an exciting contest that ended all square after ninety minutes. We opened the scoring with the in form Kevin Murphy finding the net, the winger having received the ball on the edge of the area turned quickly before firing a left footed shot into the far corner. Carrig came back to draw level but soon after Murphy got his second of the game when he got onto a lofted through ball from Maurice Hayes before netting from an acute angle. We stretched our lead when Shane Mulvihill scored with a free kick and that’s how it stood at half time.

The second half saw Carrig come more into the game and two goals in a five minute spell had them back on level terms and all to play for. Both sides could have won it with Athea coming the closest when Kevin Murphy hit the bar with five minutes left and the same player saw his volley go just over the bar from close range in the last minute. Full time 3-3.

Team: Pa Ahern, Mike Reidy, Mathew Tierney, Shane Mulvihill, Padraig Reidy, Maurice Hayes, Ger Collins, Joe Vaughan, Jamie Collins Kevin Murphy, Darren Murphy. Sub Gerard Ahern. Referee Pat O’Connor

U16 Division 2 (Thur, May 5^th)

Athea Utd (2) 3     John Sexton (3)

Pallaskenry (2) 3

Athea lead twice in the first half through a brace from John Sexton with Pallaskenry coming back on each occasion and sending the sides in level at half time. Midway through the second half we missed a penalty and from the resulting clearance Pallaskenry broke upfield and won a free kick which produced the lead goal for them. We got a draw out of it when John Sextons free kick from out on the right went all the way to the net.

Team: David O’Sullivan, Liam Henderson, Mark Brosnan, Seamus Leahy, Michael Dalton, John Sexton, Micah O’Connell, Ryan O’Connell, Cathal Brosnan, Andy Ahern, Jason Dillon. Subs Mark Cregan, Cathal O’Brien, TJ McAuliffe.

Referee Ger O’Connor

FIXTURES

Thursday, May 12^th      

U16s home to Askeaton in the cup at 7pm

Saturday, May 14^th      

U10s home to Ferry Rangers at 7pm

Sunday, May 15^th      

Juniors away to Abbeyfeale Utd B at 2.30pm 

Athea Community Games

Athea Community Games are having their annual athletics on Sunday next, May15th at The Vales soccer field at 2pm. All are welcome for a great family day out.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR FOR KEVIN & JAMES

There was further good news for the club recently when Kevin Murphy was voted Desmond League Division 1 player of the year and James Ryan was voted Desmond League Youths Division 2 player of the year. Its fair to say both awards are well deserved as both players have had great seasons so far. Both players will be presented with their awards next Tuesday night, May 17^th in Rathkeale House Hotel at 8pm. Well done from all at the club.

ATHEA UTD LOTTERY RESULTS FOR TUESDAY, MAY 3^rd 
The results of our weekly lottery draw for Tuesday, May 3^rd are as follows –
Jackpot was €5000. Numbers drawn 5, 22, 24, 26. No Jackpot Winner.
Lucky dips to the following – Margaret Cleary, Parkanna. Erika Fealy, Markievicz Park. Declan Barrett, Athea. Sabrina & Doreen Cahill, Ardagh. Lily & Tim Somers, Upper Athea.  Sellers Eileen Kelly & Pa Walsh.
New Jackpot €5100 at Whites Bar on Monday, May 9^th..

ATHEA UTD LOTTERY RESULTS FOR MONDAY, MAY 9^th  
The results of our weekly lottery draw for Monday, May 9^th are as follows –
Jackpot was €5100. Numbers drawn 2, 12, 14, 29. No Jackpot Winner.
Lucky dips to the following – Michael O’Connor, Knockanure. Angela Moroney, Listowel. John Williams, Ballybunion. Olivia Solley, Kilbaha. Duffy, Listowel

Sellers Denis Murphy & Brown Joes.
New Jackpot €5200 at Brown Joe’s on Monday, May 16^th.