Athenry Football Club U13’s Fantastic Win 2005/6

Athenry’s under 13s had a fantastic win in the cup final in Terryland recently in front of a large crowd.

The score was O-O after full time with Mervue taking the lead in extra time but Thomas Flynn scored a great equaliser for Athenry. The tie went to penalties and Athenry goal keeper William Dooley proved the hero saving the sixth Mervue penalty and with Keith Loughnane, Thomas Flynn, Paraic Hynes, Mark Hannon, Ian Kilkelly and Dara Glynn all scoring excellent penalties Athenry won 6-5. Great scenes of excitement followed! Well done to all the players and manager Peter Gilhooley.

Biggest Game in History

Athenry Soccer clubs season continues next Sunday with the biggest game in the club’s history. They play Castlebar Celtic in Castlebar at 2.30 pm in the semi-final of the F.A.I. junior cup.

Managed by Timmy Holian, Gabriel Galvin and Colin Byrne, Athenry, won most of their matches away from home beating Aishling Annacotty, Manulla, Sheriff United and Dublin Bus on the way.

Athenry, who have upped their game since last year’s narrow league play off defeat, have a nice blend of youth and experience with senior players David Crimmins, Adrian Cronin, Brian Costelloe, Micky Noone, Ollie Keogh and Emmet Byrne to the fore. These are well supported by young guns Johnny Mernagh, Cathal Fahy, Johnny Linnane, Niall Gibbons, Micky Quinn, Kieran Kilkelly, Stephen Rabbitte, Alan Lynch, Brian McDonagh and newcomer Jonathan Keane and with Paddy Quinn, Ronan Kinneen and the excellent Jamie ‘O’ Driscoll showing extra maturity this season Athenry are a force to be reckoned with. All support is welcome and travel details can be obtained from the club house.

The results of games for the last week are as follows:

The Athenry A team had 2 game s last week going down 2-0 to Corrib Celtic at home. Athenry then gave a much-improved performance against Renmore drawing 1-1 with Johnny Mernagh on the score sheet. Athenry deserved a win with the Renmore keeper producing some outstanding saves. This leaves Athenry in fourth place and still in with a chance of winning the league. Athenry B kept up their promotion chances with a resounding 3-0 win over Moyne Villa with Neville Hynes, Mike Madden and Jason Quigley (his first at senior level for the club for DJ Quigs!).

Athenry’s under 16s had a fantastic win in the cup qualifying for the quarter final with a 2-1 win over St Bernards with Joey Burke and Adam Duffy on the score sheet. The under 14s narrowly lost to a Mervue team containing 2 Irish internationals, in a top of the table clash. The under 12’s lost narrowly to Renmore.

Athenry B play Loughrea in a vital clash next Saturday in Loughrea at 6.30pm in Loughrea. The under 12 team play Mervue next Saturday at 11am in Mervue. All support is welcome.

Athenry Football Club’s Annual draw starts on 1st March 2006. The draw is held each month with a first prize of €600, second prize €25O and third prize of €l5O. We deeply appreciate your support for our annual draw over the past few years. It has helped with our new facilities and enables us to run the club on a daily basis. Tickets are €144 per year and can be paid by standing order. Tickets are available from all committee members or at the club house.

This article was first published in “Athenry News and Views” in April 2006