Athea Utd AFC

PENNY WOULFE R.I.P.

This past weekend has been a sad one for the village of Athea and in particular the Woulfe family with the sudden passing of Mary Woulfe or Penny as she was more affectionately known as. For as long as I can remember Penny was seen at almost every Athea Utd junior game, be it at home or away, and if she didn’t get to a game you can be sure there was a very good reason why not. She could be seen in Abbeyfeale, Adare, Broadford, Glin and even as far away as Rockhill with whom we had many a hard battle. If you heard “come on boys” at a match rest assured Penny was there supporting the blue and white of Athea Utd and if you were playing badly you would soon know about it. She was a real character and it’s very difficult to use the past tense as it hasn’t sunk in yet that she is gone and it will take a very long time, if ever to grasp it.

The days when Athea Utd weren’t winning any cups, especially in the 1980’s Penny remained a stalwart supporter. Who remembers our home games at Ahern Park when at half time Penny would have oranges at the ready for the players and each orange sliced perfectly. Our first cup winning was in May 1990 when we won the Division 3 League Cup with a 1-0 win over St Bens in Shanagolden. A roasting hot Saturday evening in which it is safe to say all of Athea were at and Penny and her husband Thady were there cheering on Teddy and Athea Utd to success. The winning goal coming late in the game when Teddy’s shot came off the crossbar and Tim O’Riordan scored from the rebound. Her other son Mossie also played junior soccer for Athea Utd, at right back and it was a position he was accomplished in. Her grandchildren also played for the club, Megan played underage as did Ryan who also played junior while Jamie currently plays with the under tens.

To her husband Thady, daughters Margaret and Liz, sons Jim, Teddy and Mossie, relations and a large circle of friends we extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathies. Penny was one of a kind and we will never forget her. God Rest Her Soul.

AWARDS NIGHT

Athea Utd will holds its Annual Awards Night on Friday night June 23rd at The Top of the Town. Time 9.30pm. All are welcome to attend.

AGM

Athea Utd will holds its Annual General Meeting on Saturday, June 24th at The Top of the Town. Time 8.30pm. All are welcome to attend 

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, JUNE 5th          

The results of our weekly lottery draw for Monday, June 5th are as follows –
Jackpot was €6,500. Numbers drawn 7, 10, 11, 14.

No Jackpot Winner.
Lucky dips to the following – Michael O’Connor, Upper Athea. Lillian Fitzgerald, Park, Athea. Karina Buckley, Templeathea. Mary Curley, Ardagh. Ellen Slemon, Listowel.

Sellers White’s Bar & Agatha
New Jackpot €6,600 at Brown Joe’s on Monday, June 12th

Athea GAA

Club Draw:

Well the main topic on the GAA scene is the Club draw, for which the tickets are now on sale. They are €10 a month for 8 months and there are 3 ways you can pay. 1. A once off payment of €80 which entitles you to an extra draw for €1,000.

  1. Pay monthly by direct debit which entitles you to an extra draw of €200. 3. Payment of €10 a month to your ticket seller. There will be eight monthly draws with the following prizes– 1st-€500, 2nd-€150, 3rd-€150, 4th to 8th -€100. Sellers Prize-€50. Tickets are on sale from GAA Club members or phone me on 087-1233361.

By buying a ticket you are helping the club to reduce its €40,000 debt. Thanks.

Junior B:

Reportedly the ‘Junior B’ team have a great “Buzz” about them this season –  watch this space!

Co. League:

Athea were unfortunately beaten by St. Senan’s on a score of 0-15 to 1-15 here in Athea during the week in Div. 2 of the Co. League. Here’s to better results.

History Book:

Jamie Kelly (Clash) is asking all GAA enthusiasts in the parish for help in compiling a ‘History Book’ of Athea GAA stories etc. names with a world of knowledge are Oliver McGrath, Seanie O’Connor, Sean Hanrahan, Billy Collins, Tom O’Keeffe, Conor and Johnny Mullane, Timmy
Woulfe. If anyone else can help out please give your name and ideas to Paul Curry or Jamie Kelly.

Fundraising:

Well in the next few months you are asked to put your “heads and ideas” together with regard to putting another grand fundraising show/concert or whatever to try and further offset the pitch debt. Maybe the Lip Sync groups would come up with any ideas – maybe “Strictly Dancing” -maybe a “Battle of the townlands” – what about an “ABBA” themed night or maybe bring some well known performer to our parish. I’m sure many of the Lip-Sync ladies and men would be anxious to get on the stage/pitch again – brain storm your ideas and you never know what might come up?

Coiste na nÓg:

Cúl Camp:

We will be hosting our annual Cúl camp from Monday July 10 to Friday July 14. For any further information please contact Jacqueline at 086-0670091. More details to follow.

Fixtures for June:

U14s:

Monday June 19:

Our U14s will play Adare on Monday evening June 19 in Adare at 7.15pm. Cars will be leaving the village at 6pm. Gum shields are compulsory. All support would be greatly appreciated.

U10s:

Friday/Saturday June 23/24:

We will be travelling to Cooleyroe for an U10s blitz on Friday/Saturday June 23/24. More details will follow closer to the time. Gum shields are compulsory.

U16s:

Monday June 26:

Our U16s will play Bruff on Monday evening June 26 at home in Páirc na nGael at 7.15pm. Players to be in the dressing room at 6.45pm. Gum shields are compulsory. All support would be greatly appreciated.

U8s:

Friday June 30:

We will be hosting an U8s blitz on Friday June 30. More details will follow closer to the time. Gum shields are compulsory.

Training:

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

Exams:

We would like to wish all our players who are doing exams in the coming weeks, the very best of luck.

Sympathy:

We would like to extend our deepest Sympathy to the Woulfe family, Templeathea on the passing of Penny. May she rest in peace.