Athenry Soccer Club, April 2007

Athenry Soccer club senior award winners: Back row Left to right: Nick Leeson Galway United, Jonathan Keane, Shane Gilhooley, Conor O’ Grady, Jonathan Mernagh Stephen Rabbitte and Managers Timmy Holian and Michael Dunleavy. Front row: Colin Bane, Neville Hynes, Cathal Fahy and Aidan Fahy

Athenry Soccer Club league season continued over the last week with some vital results for both senior and under-age teams.

Connacht Final

Athenry Soccer Club qualified for its first Connacht cup final at junior level. Athenry went to Sligo and beat holders Abbey United 1-0.

Athenry 1 0 Abbey United

Athenry took the game to Abbey from the beginning and took an early lead through top scorer Johnny Mernagh after a fine free from Alan O’ Donovan. Athenry continued to press on a bad pitch and really should have won the game by more. Cathal Fahy twice, Johnny Mernagh and Jonathan Keane had all had good chances with the Abbey keeper also making some fine saves.

Athenry had only one moment of worry with Emmet Byrne getting back to clear off the line. With Alan O’ Donovan outstanding and the defence also in excellent form Athenry continue to progress. They look good to win their first Connacht final which will take place in Terryland in a couple of weeks against Carberry from Sligo.

The Athenry team was Kieran Kilkelly, Stephen Rabbitte, Ronan Kineen, Emmet Byrne, David Crimmins, Alan O’Donovan, Johnny Keane, Jamie O’ Driscoll, Paddy Quinn, Cathal Fahy, Johnny Mernagh.

Subs: Ollie Keogh, Micky Quinn, Seamie Crowe, Adrian Cronin, Micky Noone, Benny Costelloe. Athenry are also through to the semi-finals of the Michael O’Byrne cup having beaten Hibs 2-O in the quarter final through 2 goals from Johnny Mernagh and are still in contention in the league with two games left.

The Athenry B team reserves are also in contention for the league and recently beat Dynamo Blues 5-0 with Vlasta Sadelik, Darragh Starken, Shane O’Neill, Conor Cannon and Darren O’ Grady scoring. They followed up by beating Kinvara 8-l with Darragh Starken getting a hat trick, Vlasta Sadelik, Neil Murphy, Trevor Alcorn, and Neville Hynes and also beat Oughterard 1-0 with Conor O’ Grady on the score sheet. If they win their last game they will win the league.

The Athenry under 16s were very unlucky to lose 3-l after extra time to Renmore in the Connacht shield semi-final.

Athenry equalised in the last minute of normal time with a great Niall Quinn volley from an Adam Duffy corner. Despite being short a number of regulars through injury Athenry were unlucky not to win in normal time with Shaun Dooley unlucky.

Athenry still have a great chance of winning the league. With four games left they are only a point behind the leaders. This Athenry team under the management team of Sean Mulroe, Paul Mitchell and Willie Killeen have done very well this season winning six games and drawing two. With both Joey Burke, Michael O’Halloran and Niall Quinn making their senior debuts this season and Shaun Dooley, Jamie Stephens, Shane Kelly, Declan Cullen, Adam Duffy, Jamie Stephens, Daniel Hanlon, Stephen Beirne and Wayne Caulfield all providing great support this Athenry team have a great chance of success.

The under 14s had a great win against Mervue United with Mark Hannon scoring. Well done to Johnny Mernagh and Seamie Crowe on another international call up for the lrish junior team.

Athenry Soccer Club’s Annual draw is commencing again on 3lst March 2007. The draw is held each month with a first prize of €600, second prize €250 and third prize of €l50. The draw is limited to 300 members and runs from February 2007 to January 2008. Athenry Soccer club deeply appreciates 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 €l44 per year and can be paid by standing order.

Tickets are available from all committee members or at the club house. Information can be obtained from the club house (091- 875939), or from draw co-coordinator Lester McNamara (Tel: 087-7726555).

Awards: Athenry Soccer Club recently held an awards night in the Raheen Woods Hotel. With an attendance of over two hundred people the following award were presented for Season 2005/2006 by guest of honour Nick Leeson of Galway United.

Senior

Players of the Year: Stephen Rabbitte and Neville Hynes

Young Player of the Year: Jonathan Keane and Aidan Fahy

Top Scorers: Jonathan Mernagh and Michael Madden

Reserve Player of the Year: Timmy Holian and Joe Maloney

Reserve Young Player of the Year: Shane Gilhooley and Colin Bane

Trainer of Year: Conor O’Grady

Juvenile

Under 18 Player of the Year: Cathal Fahy

Under 18 Most Improved Player: Conor Cannon

Under 16 Player of the Year: Darragh Starken

Under 16 Most Improved Player: Michael O’ Halloran

Under 15 Player of the Year: Declan Connolly

Under 15 Most Improved Player: Niall Quinn

Under 14 Player of the Year: Shane Kelly

Under 14 Most Improved Player: Richie Hynes

Under 13 Player of the Year: Liam Cannon

Under13 Most Improved Player: Eoin Glynn

Under 12 Player of the Year: Daniel Bane

Under 12 Most Improved Player: Gerard Kilkelly

Under 11 Player of the Year: Mark Lawless

Under 11 Most Improved Player: Niall Egan

Under 10 Player of the Year: Darragh Keane

Under 10 Most Improved Player: Andrew Collins

Awards were also presented to Cathal Fahy and Jonathan Keane for their junior international caps. To Adrian Cronin for his achievement as Galway Soccer Sport Star of the year. Also receiving awards was Theresa Glynn for her work as an under age coach and the A team management of Timmy Holian, Gabriel Glavin and Colin Byrne.

Compiled by: Michael Dunleavy PRO

Photos: Paul Mitchell

This article was first published in News and Views April 2007

Athenry Soccer Club website