Athea GAA Club Notes:

Men’s:
Results:
Woodlands House Hotel County Premier Junior A Football Championship
Group 2 – Round 1 Monagea 2-11 Athea 1-11
Athea produced a spirited performance but ultimately came up three points short against Monagea in the first round of this year’s Premier Junior A Championship last Thursday in Killeedy, with two Monagea goals proving the decisive factor. We settled well and opened the scoring through Sean Ryan, before Monagea struck for the opening goal after seven minutes to seize the initiative. Although we responded with scores from Andrew O’Riordan, Daire O’Shea and a superb two-point free from O’Riordan, Monagea remained clinical in attack. Scores from Gavin Dorgan, Tom O’Callaghan, Jamie Baynham, and frees from Cian Berine and Stephen O’Dwyer kept the scoreboard ticking for Monagea. A two-point effort from Sean Ryan ensured we stayed in touch, and at the break there was little separating the sides.
We made an excellent start to the second half. Evan Curry landed a two-point score from distance before another point stretched our advantage to three points. At that stage, we looked to have seized control. Monagea however, responded in impressive fashion. A goal from Jamie Baynham swung the momentum back in their favour, and a series of well-worked
scores and accurate frees from Stephen O’Dwyer saw them move four points clear entering the closing stages. Credit to us, we refused to give in. A black card for Monagea created an
opportunity, and Shane Mulvihill confidently converted a late penalty to cut the deficit to a single point and set up a tense finish. Monagea showed their composure when it mattered most. A late free from Cian Berine restored daylight between the teams with a two-point score, and they successfully saw out the remaining minutes to record a hard-earned 2-11 to 1-11 victory. Our next game is against Fr. Caseys on Saturday in Ballyhahill.
Athea: Tomás Ahern; Tommy Quaid, Eoin Sheahan, Micheal Dalton, Callum Buckley, Denis Greaney, Tomas G Ahern, Evan Curry 0-2 (1 tpf), Jonathan Fitzgerald, Andrew O’Riordan (0-3, 1tpf), Brian O’Connor (2-0), TJ Hunt 0-1, Shane Mulvihill (1-0, pen), Sean Ryan (0-3,1tp), Daire O’Shea (0-1). Subs: Darren Murphy, James Hunt, Andy Ahern.

County Junior C Football Championship Group 1 Round 1:
We made the trip to The Bog Garden for the first round of the Junior C Championship on Sunday. Even with the early throw-in, conditions were very hot as the current heat wave
prevails. We found ourselves three points down early in the game as the home side knocked over a point and a fortuitous two-pointer as Conor Fitzgerald and the full forward jostled for possession. We clocked up four wides while playing with the wind before we got our first score, a two-pointer free from Aidan Curry. Tom F Ahern fired over a point to level the game shortly afterwards. The home side built their lead with four unanswered points before Aidan Curry scored two from play. Rathkeale bounced back with two of their own. Alan Kelly
narrowed the margin to three just before half time with the scoreline at 0-9 to 0-6 at the break.
In the second half, we traded points as Mark Reidy got off the mark. Rathkeale hit the net after 10 minutes and followed it up with a point to go seven points up. Gavin Ambrose clipped over a point shortly afterwards. We had opportunities but were off target as the home-side kicked a 45 to extend their lead. Mark Reidy kicked a late free to leave the final scoreline at 1-12 to 0-9. Our next game is at home to St. Senan’s next Tuesday.
Team Colin Broderick, Cillian O’Connor, Conor Fitzgerald (C), Sean Twomey, Gavin
Ambrose (0-1), Martin Chawke, Pierse O’Brien, Tadhg Ahern, Mark Reidy (0-2,
0-1f), Alan Kelly (0-1), Michael Tierney, Tom Ahern (0-1), Aidan Curry (0-4,1tpf),
James Broderick, Jack Sexton. Subs Jason Dalton, David O Connor, Jack Hunt, Dan McMahon, Eoin Horgan.

Fixtures:
Woodlands House Hotel County Premier Junior A Football Championship
Group 2- Round 2
Saturday 18th July, 2026 at 2:00pm
Athea v Fr. Casey’s
Venue: Ballyhahill
Referee: Sean Hartnett

County Junior C Football Championship Group 1 – Round 2
Tuesday 21st July, 2026 at 7:30pm
Athea v St Senan’s
Venue: Athea
Referee: Sean Hartnett

U10:
Well done to our U10 footballers who played some outstanding football against Shannon Gaels and Killeedy last Friday evening.

Ladies:
Athea Mothers & Others are back training and everyone is welcome to join for fitness, fun and football. It doesn’t matter if you have played for 20 years or never kicked a ball in your life, come and join the ladies for a bit of craic at Athea GAA pitch on Wednesdays at 7pm.
Contact Jacqueline on 086-0670091 or David on 087-6019317, or any member of the Mothers & Others team.

Munster LGFA Festival of football 2026:
A sincere thank you to the 28 teams representing 16 clubs from across Munster, for making the festival such a memorable occasion. Also a huge thank you to all the players, coaches, referees, volunteers, pitch co-ordinators, car park stewards, and everyone who gave their time and effort behind the scenes. Your commitment and teamwork ensured the day ran seamlessly from start to finish. We were proud to showcase the fantastic facilities we have here in our beautiful village of Athea and were delighted to welcome so many visitors to our community over the weekend. Thank you all for your support, your sportsmanship, and for helping make this year’s festival such a wonderful success.

Club Draw:
Support Athea GAA club by entering our annual club draw. For €50, you stand a chance to win a share of €7,450 in guaranteed cash prizes, with over 40 winners taking home between €100 and €500 across five monthly draws starting this August. All proceeds go directly toward the daily maintenance of our club facilities and walking track. You can secure your ticket from our usual ticket sellers, any committee member, or by expressing your interest to an underage coach. Your support is greatly appreciated by all users of our wonderful facilities.

Underage Training:
Our Friday evening underage training from nursery to U12s continues from 6:30 to 7:30pm.
Hurling
Hurling training continues Sunday mornings at 10am.

Split the Bucket:
The last draw took place on the 13th of July and the lucky winner of €379 was Amy Sheehy, congratulations Amy. The next draw will take place on Monday the 27th of July 2026.
Tickets can be Purchased at Collins’ shop, Ger White’s bar, Brown Joe’s bar, Gables Grill, O’Riordan’s Pharmacy, Credit Union, Batt’s bar, Athea Hairstyles, Doctor’s waiting room, Bingo Friday evenings and also online @ https://atheagaa.clubforce.com/products/draw/athea-gaa-draw