Athea Utd AFC

U14s LIFT LEAGUE TROPHY

U14 Division 3 (Tue, May 16^th)

Breska Rvs (2) 2

Athea Utd   (1) 2     Michael Tierney, Brandon Finucane

Having already won the division three title we travelled to play Breska Rovers in the final game of the league last night week where we would be presented with the league trophy after the game. On a beautiful evening for football we started brightly and opened the scoring early on through a solo goal from Michael Tierney who beat a number of defenders on the right edge of the box before squeezing the ball inside the right post. We had chances to score more goals but didn’t take them and found ourselves down two one at half time after Breska scored twice with long distance efforts.

Ten minutes into the second half Brandon Finucanes got onto a through ball and from outside the left edge of the box drilled a screamer across the keeper and into the bottom right. The sides were level again and that’s how the game finished though we had great chances to win the game but the combination of great goalkeeping and very poor finishing denied us the win. Still we had won the league which was the target from the start of the season.

Well done to all the players and to the managers Tim and Sean who have put a trojan amount of work into this team and it has paid dividends.

A big thanks also to all our supporters, especially our die hard followers.

After the game Betty Somers from the LDSL presented Athea Utd captain Gavin Ambrose with the division three league trophy to jubilant scenes amongst players, managers and loyal supporters. Afterwards it was back to The Vales where refreshments were ready and waiting for all.

Panel: Gavin Mulvihill, Danny Hartnett, Dermot Pierse, Daire O’Shea, Gavin Ambrose, Shane Scanlon, Paric Enright, Michael Tierney, Andrew O’Riordan, Jack Vaughan, Eoin O’Shea, Brandon Finucane, TJ Hunt, Pierce O’Brien, Killian O’Connor, David McEnery, Gearoid O’Sullivan, Conor Mullane, Fergal Pierse.  Referee Eugene Noonan.

THANKS: A huge thanks to Denise and Kathleen for having the food and refreshments ready and organised, it was most welcome and much appreciated.

JUNIORS ENSURE PREMIER STATUS 

Premier Division (Fri, May 19^th)

Ballingarry (0) 1

Athea Utd (0) 3 Ger Collins, Darren Murphy, Steven McEnery

With three games left we knew we needed another win to secure our premier division status and this game away to our direct opponents for survival Ballingarry. With Killeaney winning away to Glin Rovers on the same night the result of our match took on extra significance and so a win was vital.

We played well in patches in the first half but never found the breakthrough we needed, perhaps both teams were a little edgy. We did make the breakthrough early in the second half when a pacy corner was delivered by Sean Ryan and was met by Ger Collins who rose highest to plant a fine header past the keeper. Indeed both aforementioned players were very influential on the night. After all the hard work we then conceded a rather soft goal, also from a header to level the score and make for a nervous conclusion. As the game drew near the end it looked like both teams would miss a big opportunity to grab three big points. That was until speed merchant Darren Murphy used his pace to set him free to restore our lead with a clinical finish. Instead of sitting back we pushed on and substitute Stephen McEnery blocked a clearance and finished cheekily to make it three one. With the final whistle we knew that we would be playing in the premier division next year. It was a fine performance in what were perfect conditions for a game.

Team: Pa Ahern, Michael Reidy, Joe Vaughan, Padraig Reidy, Matthew Tierney, James Ryan, Sean Ryan, Ger Collins, Jamie Collins, Darren Murphy, Kevin Murphy. Sub used Stephen McEnery. Referee Eugene Noonan.

Premier Division (Sun, May 21^st)

Abbeyfeale Utd (0) 1

Athea Utd (3) 4    

Jamie Collins, Sean Ryan, Dylan Griffin, Darren Murphy

With survival secured on the previous Friday night we knew the pressure was off for our game away to third placed Abbeyfeale Utd. Considering the effort put in on Friday night this was always going to be a tough task but transversely it turned out to be one of our best performances this year. We had a number of early chances with Dylan Griffin, Darren Murphy and Kevin Murphy causing a lot of difficulties for the home defence. We got the lead through Jamie Collins whose looping header ended in the net. The second goal was due to great work by Dylan Griffin who put the centre back under pressure, steal possession and use the advantage played from a foul to play Sean Ryan in on goal. Sean had a lot to do but his pace opened the space up for him to slide it past the keeper. To the players credit they did not sit back but instead get a third before half time when Griffin lobbed the keeper from the edge of the box following a killer pass from Joe Vaughan.

We started the second half three up and soon found ourselves extending our lead when Darren Murphy finished to the net from outside the box after a tricky mazy run. We would concede a consolation goal but due to some solid defending it finished four one. A score line which did not flatter us at all.

Team: Shane Mulvihill, James Ryan, Padraig Reidy, Joe Vaughan, Matthew Tierney, Stephen McEnery, Sean Ryan, Kevin Murphy, Jamie Collins, Darren Murphy, Dylan Griffin. Sub Ger Collins. Referee Paudie Manning.

JAMES BRODERICK PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Another Athea Utd player has joined the growing list of club players who have won player of the year at league level. Last Friday night James Broderick joined that list when he was presented with the Limerick Desmond Schoolboys/Girls League U12 Division 3 player of the year. This is a great honour for James, his family and the club when he was presented with his award from Charlie Boyle of the LDSL at The Rathkeale House Hotel. Well done again James.

FIXTURE

Sunday, May 28^th    Juniors home to Rathkeale at 11.30am

FAI SOCCER CAMP 2017

Athea Utd are delighted to announce that we will again be running a SportsDirect.com FAI Soccer Camp this year. The camp will take place at The Vales from Monday, July 24th to Friday, July 28th and is open to boys and girls of all abilities from 6-14 years of age.

ATHEA UTD LOTTERY RESULTS FOR MONDAY, MAY 22^nd         

The results of our weekly lottery draw for Monday, May 22nd are as follows –
Jackpot was €6,300. Numbers drawn 7, 12, 19, 24. No Jackpot Winner.
Lucky dips to the following – Sheila Casey, Brosna. Noreen Brouder, Templeathea. Elizabeth Moody, Moyvane. Mike & Karina Buckley, Athea. Mrs Bridget King, Ardagh.

Sellers Agatha & Brouders Shop.
New Jackpot €6,400 at Donie’s on Monday, May 29^th

Athea GAA

Junior B.

Unfortunately the Junior B team lost to Knockaderry on Thursday evening here in Athea in the Junior B league Round 3. However, they put in a good display and here’s to future wins.

Club Draw:

Tickets are now on sale for the annual ‘500’ Club fundraising draw. Promoters will be calling to homes in the next few weeks and flyers showing the prizes etc will be distributed by our postmen shortly. You are asked once again to get behind the draw as it’s one of the major fundraisers for the club and they need every Euro to bring the €40,000 approx debt down further. The Lip-Sync brought in much needed funds and the quicker the debt is paid off the less interest payable and who knows you might be lucky. The direct debit method is an easy way to make your payment and there is an extra prize for paying this way.

This week the mixer for the dug-outs will be going up to the pitch and this will be another step forward for the field and an added bonus. The wheelchair ramp, the podium and the 3 garden benches are also an further asset to the grounds. When the lighting goes up around the running/walking track it will be great for the darker evenings.

Coiste na nÓg:

Matches:

Friday May 19:  U10s:

Our U10s played their first Blitz of the year at home in Páirc na nGael on Friday evening last. This was a very enjoyable evening for our young team as they played very well in two matches against St. Kierans and one match against St. Senans.  There was great skill on show from all the boys and girls who took part much to the delight of the parent and spectators who travelled to the blitz. A big thank you to David O’ Connor for refereeing the games. Thank you to Loretta Brouder and Sarah O’Connor for helping out on the night. All the players, coaches and parents enjoyed some well deserved refreshments after the game. Panel: Tom Ahern, Louis O’Sullivan, Jamie Collins, Jamie Flynn, Tomás Ahern, Jamie O’Mahony, Eric Barrett, Jack Sexton, Sean Twomey & Fionn Histon.

Monday May 22: U14s:

The U14s got their league campaign off to a winning start on Monday night last when they defeated Granagh/Ballingarry in Ballingarry. They played some great football at times especially when they let the ball into the full forward line fast and early. They kicked some great long distance points and they could have got a few more handy points, if they stopped going for goals. Team: Gavin Mulvihill, Cillian O’Connor, Pierce O’Brien, Gearoid O’Sullivan, Dermot Pierse, Michael Tierney, Brandon Finucane, Eoin O’Shea, Andrew O’ Riordan, Paraic Enright, Daire O’Shea, Michael Walsh, James Broderick, Gavin Ambrose, Conor Mullane, James Lee, Fergal Pierse, Callum Buckley and Evan Curry.
We play Croom next Monday night at 7pm. in Athea in round 2. Players to be at the field at 6.30pm, and remember if you haven’t got your gum shield you can’t play.

Fixtures for May:

U12s: Thursday May 25:

Our U12s will play Rathkeale at home this Thursday evening May 25 in Páirc na nGael. Players to be at the field for 6.15pm. Gum shields are compulsory. All support would be greatly appreciated.

U8s: Friday May 26:

Our U8s will travel to Cappagh to take part in a blitz on Friday evening May 26. More details will follow during the week. Gum shields are compulsory.

U14s: Monday May 29:

Our U14s will play Croom on Monday evening May 29 in Páirc na nGael at 7pm. Players to be in the dressing room for 6.30pm. Gum shields are compulsory. All support would be greatly appreciated.

Training:

A text will be sent out to all parents regarding the training times for all age groups for this week.