C.L.G. Áth an tSléibhe
by Damien Ahern
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
In what was another busy and successful year for our Club, we would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported Athea GAA throughout 2023. We would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.
U21 Shannon Gaels Athea
Shannon Gaels Athea 1:11 Ballysteen 4:06
We met with Ballysteen on Saturday to play the fourth round of the U21A Championship in Páirc na nGael. This was a must win game and one where we had a few players unavailable nevertheless we still had a big panel to pick from on the day. Conditions were good and the match was well supported.
This was a game played with intensity from the start. Ballysteen took an early 3 point lead before we registered a score. A lack of composure and some wayward free taking on our part contributed to a string of wides. Hugh O Donnell knocked over two points from frees with Zach Behan pointing from play. We conceded a penalty which was converted as well and two quick points followed. A pinpoint pass from Evan Curry led to a well taken goal by Donagh McEnery to leave it 1:03 to 1:05 at half time.
In the second half Cormac Thompson scored four points, however goals from counter-attacks proved to be our undoing, as we piled on the pressure. We did get the margin down to level pegging with points from Conor Shine, Andrew O Riordan and Calum Buckley before they bagged another goal and added a further point to win by four on a scoreline of 1:11 to 4:06.
Even though we exited the competition, playing at this level will have done no harm to the players involved and the six youngest Athea players from this panel will be eligible to play Premier Junior football in 2024.
Team: Tomas Ahern, E. Sheahan, C. Shine (0-01) ,L. Gleeson, J. Hunt , H. O’Donnell(0-02), G. Woulfe, C. Thompson (0-04), M. Tierney, A. O’Riordan, E. Curry(0-01), Z. Behan (0-01), J. Broderick, D. McEnery(1-01), B. Hogan. Subs: AJ Behan, C. Buckley(0–01), A. Curry, P. O Connor, A. Fogarty, M. McNamara, G. Ambrose, C. Fitzgerald, R. Cleary, Tadhg Ahern.
Coláiste Íde agus Iosef U17 Hurling
The Coláiste Íde agus Iosef, Abbeyfeale U17 team had a good win last Wednesday against Mungret Community College in the Munster E semi-final. Athea players involved were Jamie O’Mahony, Jamie Collins, Jack Sexton, Timmy O’ Keeffe, Louis O’ Sullivan & Tomás Ahern. Best of luck to the team in the Munster Final.
Bord na nÓg Christmas Quiz
Our annual Table Quiz will take place at Con Colbert Hall on December 28th from 7pm – 9pm, with doors open at 6.30pm. €10 per person. A raffle will also take place on the night. We would gladly accept any Spot Prizes from local businesses on the night, feel free to get in contact with any member of the committee.
Split the Bucke
Congratulations to Eileen Windle who was this week’s winner of Split the Bucket, winning €524. The next draw will take place on January 2nd. Wishing all our supporters a very Happy Christmas & Peaceful New Year.
Athea GAA AGM
Our Annual General Meeting will take place on Sunday January 14th at 7.30pm at Con Colbert Memorial Hall. All members are invited to attend & new members are most welcome.
Please Clean up after your Dog!
We are disappointed to find dog excrement at the Pairc na nGael over the past few days, and also damage to our new training pitch, caused by dogs. We are again appealing to all dog owners to keep dogs on leads at all times and to clean up after their dogs. If this problem persists, we will be left with no alternative other than to ban dogs from our grounds.
