ATHEA GAA CLUB NOTES
Another very busy week to report for Athea GAA with some good wins achieved by our teams and coaches. A reminder that tickets for our club draw remain on sale from the usual ticket sellers, from Athea & District Credit Union and through the Athea GAA Club Force App. This is our main fundraiser of the year and the proceeds will be used to support club activities as well as the development of our facilities for the benefit of our Mens Football Teams, Ladies Football Teams, Hurling Club, Coiste na Nóg, Mothers and Others and indeed the whole Athea community and beyond who regularly use the walking track. We are very grateful to everyone who has supported our draw to date. The first draw is due to take place in September.
Athea Ladies
Our Junior team made the short journey to Clounmacken on Thursday last where they played well against Clounmacken Ladies to record a win of 0.10 to 0.07. A challenge match was also played against Old Mill on Sunday where the ladies also recorded a win against Old Mill on a score line of 2.13 to 2.03. It is clear to see that this team has now become very familiar with each other’s style of play and have gelled together well as a team. We are all anxiously looking forward to their next Championship game against Ahane on August 30th which will be played in Athea. The U12 girls team will play Gerald Griffins on Tuesday 18th August in Athea at 6.30pm in Round 1 of the championship and will play St Senans in Foynes in Round 2 – date to be confirmed. The U14s will play Gerald Griffins on Wednesday August 19th at 7pm in Athea and will play Moher Boher on Wednesday 26th TBC. Last but by no means least, not forgetting our U8 & U10s who played the Old Mill in a friendly blitz on Monday night. Some fine footballers in the making – the future of Athea Ladies GAA is looking well!
There was huge excitement in our club this week with the arrival of our new jerseys for our underage teams which were kindly sponsored by O’Riordan’s Pharmacy. Looking forward to their first outing!
Athea Junior A (Match report by Kevin O’Keeffe)
Junior A Championship Round 1
Athea V Bruree The Bog Garden, Rathkeale
Athea 3-20 Bruree 1-02
The first round of the championship gave our team a chance to show the huge amount of work they have done in a short time. It was also Eamon McElligott and his selectors Roger Ryan and Mike Ahern’s first championship game in charge. Our quest for an immediate return to Intermediate football got off to a great start in a one-sided affair but we are aware there will be tougher tests ahead.
Tommy Quaid captained the side for the first time with Jack O Connor, Alan Kelly and Brian O Connor all youthful additions to the starting team. Brian O Connor had a great game, always showing for possession and helping to set up the first goal for Kevin Murphy. Jonathan Fitzgerald who was strong in midfield got the second goal in the first half. James Ryan started very well but had to be replaced by Mark O Connor due to injury. It was good to see Jack O Connor get a great point and show confidence throughout. Brian O Connor got his deserved scores, including the third goal during the second half, set up by Mark. Kevin Murphy and Gerard Ahern were also free scoring throughout. The full complement of subs was also used including David O Connor and Micheal Dalton, two more players for the future. Credit must be given to the Bruree players who were obviously short of numbers on the day but fought hard throughout.
Team
Timmy Enright, Padraig Reidy, Martin Chawke, Tommy Quaid, Mark Reidy, Micheal Reidy, Dylan Griffin, Jonathan Fitzgerald, Alan Kelly, Jack O’ Connor, Gerard Ahern, Darren Murphy, James Ryan, Brian O’ Connor, Kevin Murphy.
Subs used- Mark O’ Connor, Micheal Dalton, David O’ Connor, Gerard Collins and Shane Tierney.
The Athea Junior A team will play their second match of the championship against Hospital/Herbertstown on this Sunday August 23rd in Ballingarry at 1pm. In line with Covid restrictions, the club has been allocated a maximum of 50 tickets for supporters, as a result, tickets are very limited. Anyone looking for a ticket is asked to text club secretary Pat O’Sullivan on 087 2997728 before this Thursday evening at 5pm. Tickets are priced at €8 and those looking for tickets must first be registered as members of Athea GAA. This can be done by following the Athea Club Force link https://clubforce.com/clubs/gaa-athea-gaa-club-limerick/. Cost of membership for a non-playing adult is €20. Live updates of the match will also be provided on the Athea GAA Twitter page @AtheaGAA.
Junior B
Athea Junior B team will play St. Senans on Tuesday August 18th in Athea at 7pm in their first match of the year. Best of luck to the boys!
Congratulations
Our club would like to offer our congratulations and best wishes to Pa & Deirdre Ahern who were blessed with a healthy baby boy recently who they are calling Louis. A footballer of the future no doubt!
Athea Hurling
Unfortunately the visit of TJ Ryan had to be postponed last week but will take place instead on this Sunday August 23rd at 11.30am.The Athea GAA Hurling Club has recently entered its second season and our players are beginning to master the fine art of hurling. We may have a TJ Ryan in our midst in the not so distant future! Looking forward to showing off our skills to TJ on Sunday.
Photographs
1. Athea Ladies U8 & U10 who played Old Mill on Monday 17th in a blitz
2 . New underage Ladies Jersey Sponsored by O’Riordan’s Pharmacy