FAI Junior Cup 2005/06

[swift]

it promises to be a good game allrite, ive played with a few of the castlebar lads and im sure we'll have a few bevvies after in rockys or where ever the footie local is now!

if the milebush pitch is still in as good condition as i remember it, both sides will give a good show!


I was just wondering who you played with?

[bigball]

i hope to see the westport branch of the athenry supporters club at the game on sunday! athanri abu::o :p :o

[The Gaffer]

Think it's looking like another "June" Final

[bigball]

i dunno i hear its booked for terryland on 14th May. don't know how realistic that is. will the fai senior cup interfeer with the final? all 3 teams are still in it.

did anyone see the latest odds? i can't access betting sites on my work pc so i can't access ladbrooks!!! I pressume crystal are favourites followed by celtic with athenry the outsiders. however that could change if athenry win on sunday as they'd have a home final.

[The Gaffer]

i dunno i hear its booked for terryland on 14th May. don't know how realistic that is. will the fai senior cup interfeer with the final? all 3 teams are still in it.

did anyone see the latest odds? i can't access betting sites on my work pc so i can't access ladbrooks!!! I pressume crystal are favourites followed by celtic with athenry the outsiders. however that could change if athenry win on sunday as they'd have a home final.

The Final will not be on the 14th because of the Intermediate Fianl on that day. I also heard Castlebar (presuming they win) & Crystal will be unavailable to play on Sunday 21st because of family communions and the FAI senior Cup is on the 28th so that rules that weekend end out.
I think Saturday the 13th is a good day for it. Any comments??
Still cant understand why its not on the 14th, the junior cup & intermediate cup teams dont interfer with each other in any way (is it that the FAI want a two day free drinking session rather than the one?)

[bigball]

The Final will not be on the 14th because of the Intermediate Fianl on that day. I also heard Castlebar (presuming they win) & Crystal will be unavailable to play on Sunday 21st because of family communions and the FAI senior Cup is on the 28th so that rules that weekend end out.
I think Saturday the 13th is a good day for it. Any comments??
Still cant understand why its not on the 14th, the junior cup & intermediate cup teams dont interfer with each other in any way (is it that the FAI want a two day free drinking session rather than the one?)

don't see why not on a saturday. however family communions isn't much of a reason! the whole country prob have communions around the same time. then it'll be confirmations..graduations....weddings. we'll never get a game played!! mite have a different opinion when i have a few sprogs!!!

[gnasher]

i hope to see the westport branch of the athenry supporters club at the game on sunday! athanri abu::o :p :o

Probably will have a few curious covies (with 15 euro to throw away) going over, probaly won't all be supporting Athenry though - heard the fourth official is an ex-centrefold (from the Farmers Journal)!

[renovater]

the lastest from castlebar from milebush Celtic taken the lead after 4mins from a free kick against the run of play goal score by barry O Dywer,
Celtic were force into early sub, having Joey Maloney TAKEN OFF DUE TO INJURY.
In the early exchanges too chances by joe murnagher failed to find the net
since ealy exchanges Athenry are well on top.
Celtic need to tighten up at mid field.

[renovater]

the lastest from castlebar from milebush Celtic taken the lead after 4mins from a free kick against the run of play goal score by barry O Dywer,
Celtic were force into early sub, having Joey Maloney TAKEN OFF DUE TO INJURY.
In the early exchanges too chances by joe murnagher failed to find the net
since ealy exchanges Athenry are well on top.
Celtic need to tighten up at mid field.

On 37minBarry O DYWER PICKS up booking

On 40 min Celtic lose the ball middle of park KEOGH picks up the BALL and cooly puts it past Kelly to bring it back to 1-1

On 43 min Meraghner brakes thought gets the best out of kelly with fine save
it appears to be all Athenry upto Half time.

[renovater]

On 37minBarry O DYWER PICKS up booking

On 40 min Celtic lose the ball middle of park KEOGH picks up the BALL and cooly puts it past Kelly to bring it back to 1-1

On 43 min Meraghner brakes thought gets the best out of kelly with fine save
it appears to be all Athenry upto Half time.
Athenry as started 2nd half as they finshed the first on 47 min hopkins failed to clear his lines ball taken off him by meraghner easy put the ball past kelly who was wrongly position
Athenry are now clearly on top and there fans are in fine vioce.

[hamish]

Just listening to it now, Renovator, on MWR website - seems to be a good crowd at it. Commentator sounds very anxious - understandably I guess.

[renovater]

Athenry as started 2nd half as they finshed the first on 47 min hopkins failed to clear his lines ball taken off him by meraghner easy put the ball past kelly who was wrongly position
Athenry are now clearly on top and there fans are in fine vioce.
On 65min celtic have now made sub change bringing on A Russell Gibbons for there Captain Fintan McHale,
Gibbons take up centra forward position formation now gone from 4-4-2
to 4-3-3
while celtic enjoyed 8min period of possesion the change in formation has not so far change anything.

[renovater]

On 65min celtic have now made sub change bringing on A Russell Gibbons for there Captain Fintan McHale,
Gibbons take up centra forward position formation now gone from 4-4-2
to 4-3-3
while celtic enjoyed 8min period of possesion the change in formation has not so far change anything.
75 min johnie Mernagher comes off to agreat aplause on comes Costello.
celtic still can't get there passes together as Anthenry in control.
we have 12 min left all is well for the East Galway side
Ronan killeen taken down Stevie Ryan free kick to celtic Chris kelly step up to take it and drives it wide to the delight of the Athenry following.
Ollie keogh comes off to be replaced as time runs out.
82 MIN CELTIC GET PENO RABBITT HANDLE IT SEE RED
KELLY PLACES THE BALL ON THE

[renovater]

75 min johnie Mernagher comes off to agreat aplause on comes Costello.
celtic still can't get there passes together as Anthenry in control.
we have 12 min left all is well for the East Galway side
Ronan killeen taken down Stevie Ryan free kick to celtic Chris kelly step up to take it and drives it wide to the delight of the Athenry following.
Ollie keogh comes off to be replaced as time runs out.
82 MIN CELTIC GET PENO RABBITT HANDLE IT SEE RED
KELLY PLACES THE BALL ON THE
SPOT AND IS SAVED. BY CRONIN
86 MIN IT ALL CHANGES WHEN COSTELO MAKES IT 3-1AND BEATS KELLY
IT APPEARED TO BE OFFSIDE THE MATCH OFFICAL DIDN'T THINK SO.
cELTIC GONE QUITE

[renovater]

SPOT AND IS SAVED. BY CRONIN
86 MIN IT ALL CHANGES WHEN COSTELO MAKES IT 3-1AND BEATS KELLY
IT APPEARED TO BE OFFSIDE THE MATCH OFFICAL DIDN'T THINK SO.
cELTIC GONE QUITE
THE FACE OF FERGIE SAYS IT ALL NOT TO BE FOR CELTIC AS THE GROWDS BEGIN TO LEAVE MILEBUSH AND ONLY THE NAME OF WESTPORT WILL BE ON THE CUP FROM MAYO.
One must relize that Celtic didn't play well Athenry were well on top Celtic got there chance to bring the sides level but failed to convert from the spot.
while the 3rd Athenry goal will be talk about by those celtic suporters that's football you get some you lose some
Well done to Athenry hard luck to celtic at leased they can lookforward to the Connaught Cup final

[hamish]

Janey, with the final in Terryland there'll be a massive crowd at that.

Renovator - what was the crowd like at the game??

Hard luck to Celtic and best of luck in the other Cups you're in and a huge congratulations to Athenry. I rememeber playing against Athenry in the late 60s and early 70s for Beeslow and neither club had any facilities and barely a ball between us - Unbelievable and fantastic story.:eek: :)

[renovater]

Janey, with the final in Terryland there'll be a massive crowd at that.

Renovator - what was the crowd like at the game??

Hard luck to Celtic and best of luck in the other Cups you're in and a huge congratulations to Athenry. I rememeber playing against Athenry in the late 60s and early 70s for Beeslow and neither club had any facilities and barely a ball between us - Unbelievable and fantastic story.:eek: :)
One must say it was one of the bigest I have seen great Athenry turn out they were
the 12 man.
you would think they were at home, they were in great form and why wouldn't they.
they will paint the town red and good luck to thwn enjoy looking forward to the final
they have a good chance well organised at the back, hopefully they keep there heads keep koegh and Meraghner fit my man of the match

[bigball]

was at game. athenry were excellent. lucky in the end but it would have been highway robbery if castlebar won the game. big pitch and excellent surface suited athenrys style down to the ground. should be a huge crowd in terryland for final. ath an ri abu:p :p :p

[Fair Play]

Well done to Athenry. An excellent performance from a very good footballing side. They have every reason to believe that the cup can stay in Connacht after a display like that in Milebush. Well done also to the Milebush committee, the pitch was in excellent shape.
As for Celtic - they tried but I am afraid they were always playing second fiddle. They should have scored from the penalty, but it was an excellent save from the 'keeper. The early loss of Joey Moloney didn't help their case. Athenry won and won well, but the third goal was well offside. Good luck to Athenry in the final against Crystal. If you repeat the performance on the 20th May in Terryland, you have every chance of winning. Good luck to Celtic in the Connacht Cup.

[renovater]

was at game. athenry were excellent. lucky in the end but it would have been highway robbery if castlebar won the game. big pitch and excellent surface suited athenrys style down to the ground. should be a huge crowd in terryland for final. ath an ri abu:p :p :p
have to agree justice is done Athenry would have been robbed the ground didn't suit celtic back four easy for ATHENRY in the end even the suporters though so
just goes to show you can't buy the FAI Cup you must build a team and bring them though.
Celtic will be disapointed and Westport will say we did it

[hamish]

What was the crowd lads? 2 or 3 or 4,000 at it?? What's the capacity of Celtic Park and have they stands, seating etc in it?? Haven't been in the stadium for donkey's years.

[Bestie]

Congratulations to Athenry. What a great performance. The big pitch and surface suited Athenry. It was an overall team performance, and they well deserved their victory. They are worthy representatives of Connaught in the FAI Junior Cup final, and are well capable of winning the competition. They had some great performers in Ollie Keogh, Stephen Rabbette and Johnny Mernagh. Thje goalkeeper came to the rescue when he was needed with a great penalty save. Celtic tried to get into the game, but it was not going
to be their day with Joey Moloney departing the scene so early.

I feel Celtic should have adopted a 4-4-2 formation much earlier when matters where not going their way. It was hard for Sean McHale to make anything happen up front when support was coming too late. The last 15 minutes were really exciting, and there was a great atmosphere in the stand. I wonder what might have happened had Ciaran Kelly converted from the penalty spot or if Steve Ryan's earlier header had hit the back of the net before the ball was handled. Anyway, well done to Athenry, and good luck in the final. Let's hope Celtic fare out better in the Connaught Cup. I am sure no one from Celtic will begrudge Athenry their place in the final - great perfomance, and a great occasion. Milebush Park was looking majestic despite the bad weather.

Bestie

[lim abroad]

What was the crowd lads? 2 or 3 or 4,000 at it?? What's the capacity of Celtic Park and have they stands, seating etc in it?? Haven't been in the stadium for donkey's years.
great result for athenry,they've been building a good side there for the last few seasons.should've knocked fairview out a few seasons back but didn't take their chances on the day

[Bestie]

Just a further comment......................The 3rd goal was most definitely offfside (by 5 yards at least), but it should not take away from Athenry's superiority in the game. It would have been most interesting if the scores had been level at that stage!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hamish]

Bestie - the game was in Milebush not Celtic Park:confused: - any idea of the crowd??

[Bestie]

Sirhamish...I never said the game was in Celtic Park. I complimented the pitch in Milebush if you read my post. I would say the crowd was in the region of 1000.....people were saying about 2000, but I don't think so. There was a good atmosphere there however. The stand was full and the entire railing around the pitch was practically full...two to three deep in places where the umbrellas were.

Bestie

[hamish]

Sirhamish...I never said the game was in Celtic Park. I complimented the pitch in Milebush if you read my post. I would say the crowd was in the region of 1000.....people were saying about 2000, but I don't think so. There was a good atmosphere there however. The stand was full and the entire railing around the pitch was practically full...two to three deep in places where the umbrellas were.

Bestie

Thanks for all that news Bestie - sorry, no, it was myself that was confused - didn't mean to infer that you said it was in Celtic Park - you kinda threw me when you said Milebush. For some reason I was convinced it was in Celtic's own ground.:o
1,000? I was listening to it on MWR and it seemed really noisy - thought there'd be 3 or 4 thousand at the game.
Was last in Milebush in 1996 or 1995 - is that stand opposite the clubhouse??
Anyway, hard luck again to Celtic and best wishes to Athenry in the final.:)

[Bestie]

Thanks for all that news Bestie - sorry, no, it was myself that was confused - didn't mean to infer that you said it was in Celtic Park - you kinda threw me when you said Milebush. For some reason I was convinced it was in Celtic's own ground.:o
1,000? I was listening to it on MWR and it seemed really noisy - thought there'd be 3 or 4 thousand at the game.
Was last in Milebush in 1996 or 1995 - is that stand opposite the clubhouse??
Anyway, hard luck again to Celtic and best wishes to Athenry in the final.:)
Yes sirhamish, the stand is up a few years in Milebush, and it is on the opposite side to the clubhouse. It holds about 3 or 4 hundred seated.
By the way, where did you pick up a name like sirhamish?
Bestie

[hamish]

Yes sirhamish, the stand is up a few years in Milebush, and it is on the opposite side to the clubhouse. It holds about 3 or 4 hundred seated.
By the way, where did you pick up a name like sirhamish?
Bestie

Thanks Bestie for all that news about Milebush.
SirHamish? - I had two nicknames once - Hamish (Ham -mish not Hay-mish) in school and Sir Alf in the soccer club. Eventually the two kinda linked together as SirHamish. Sir bit was eventually dropped too and I'm usually called Hamish.
I only reactivated the Sir bit 'cos Hamish was already taken for an email name.

BTW the Hamish name came from my second name - Ambrose. In the space of a few minutes, Ambrose became Amby which became Hammy which became Hamish. Friend in school coined it and I've had it for about 40 years now.

Did you follow all that??LOL:D

Betcha "Bestie" was given to you 'cos you were nifty on the ball in footie games:)

[Bestie]

You really have me confused now Sirhamish, but I will take your word on it. I got my name a long time ago too - pure genius.

[hamish]

You really have me confused now Sirhamish,

You're not the first and won't be the last to be confused and addled by ol' Hamish.:D

The pain will pass - trust me. LOL

Just call me Hamish btw - if I can get Dahamsta in real good humour some fine day I might ask him to drop the Sir bit in my avatar.
Hope he's not reading this.

[p_o_r]

Any idea when the final is on
The 'program' at the game today said May 20th but teh FAI webdite say's the 14th

http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=452

Athnery were much the better team on the day and deserved it.

[clean sheet]

i heard rumour its on 20th in terryland at 7.30
anyone else confirm this,why such a late kick off

[Thunderblaster]

I was at the game and congrats to Athenry. I was definitely surprised as to how good they were. Celtic were literally chasing shadows. The banter from the stand was good with chants of "easy, easy" for each goal. The thing that puzzled me was how on earth Clonmel Town managed to lose against a one-dimensional Castlebar Celtic team that were cruelly exposed by Athenry?

[markydo1]

who do u think will win the final between waterford crystal and athenry, and the fai final is supposibly on in limerick on the 21st yet to be confirmed, should be this week

[Thunderblaster]

who do u think will win the final between waterford crystal and athenry

I will go with Waterford Crystal in this one.

[bigball]

in 1990 athenry had 1 adult team struggling in division 2A and 1 underage team (U15) getting hammered every day and lucky to field 11. They had no pitch and no dressing rooms (and footballs were also a problem!!). today they have a new clubhouse, a gym, 3 full size pitches, a floodlit all weather pitch and underage teams from 6 year olds up to under 18. There b team is in Div 2A First team is consistantly in the shake up in the galway prem div and they have 2 reserve teams near or top of their leagues. if they win this competition it will be the biggest fairytale since george michael got caught with his pants down:D

hope they win it but they will have it tough against crystal.

[headerball]

Thats a tad harsh but one thing is worth noting, it seems like mayo teams in the last few years have been on the positive end of all decisions handed down by the fai.
Whether these are the correct decisions or not i don't even think the lord himself could give us a straight answer.
i do think that the mayo league in general seems to have a lot of clout in regard to the fai.
maybe mr quigley has something to do with this !
anyway i firmly believe that castlebar will not even come close to winning the fai and that their stay of execution is only temporary !

glad to see that my prediction was right !

[headerball]

i think they winners may come from the following,

westport
killester
pike
carew
carrick
portmanock

outside bet
athenry

glad to see my outside bet are in the final !

[Athenryboy]

I had a feeling we would hear from you today headerball, i recall you making the call a long time ago.fair play

Im glad people have seen how well we actually can play after sundays result, we were being writtin off last week. I think we suprised a lot of people including Ladbrokes in Castlebar, odds of 4-1 before the game!!!

I have to say well done to the Groundskeepers of Milebush , the pitch was in great nick on sunday. Thanks to Castlebar for their hospitality also and best of luck in the Connaught Cup.

And thanks of course to all the support we had up in castlebar, it was unreal!!!!

[gnasher]

Well done Athenry, saved gnasher a few quid.

Will they still be seen as underdogs for the final? Surely with home advantage and the players they have in the spine of their team they're a match for anyone on the day.

[Thunderblaster]

I have read on the papers that Celtic believed in their own hype and that there was a certain amount of arrogance coming out of the squad in the run up to the game on Sunday. Dykes used that as part of his excuse for Celtic's capitulation to Athenry. However, it was that same arrogance that hung them against Ballynanty last year when a Celtic scout brazenly came out on the local media about Ballynanty's pace.

[Mad Moose]

I have read on the papers that Celtic believed in their own hype and that there was a certain amount of arrogance coming out of the squad in the run up to the game on Sunday. Dykes used that as part of his excuse for Celtic's capitulation to Athenry. However, it was that same arrogance that hung them against Ballynanty last year when a Celtic scout brazenly came out on the local media about Ballynanty's pace.

Shame if that was the case.In fairness Castlebar was a great place to be Saturday.The support and recognition of the teams achievement was impressive and great credit must go to both clubs.Its what football is all about, particularly at Junior level.I have to say I enjoy football more at this level than say League of Ireland.There's something more real and honest about it.However thats just my opinion.

Brendan

[bigball]

Shame if that was the case.In fairness Castlebar was a great place to be Saturday.The support and recognition of the teams achievement was impressive and great credit must go to both clubs.Its what football is all about, particularly at Junior level.I have to say I enjoy football more at this level than say League of Ireland.There's something more real and honest about it.However thats just my opinion.

Brendan


have to agree. great entertainment in castlebar on sunday. pitch was unreal (groundsman deserves an award!). and as for dykes, a man that takes no prisoners on the pitch, after game he went straight to athenry manager and wished him the best of luck. took alot as he must have been gutted.

[Mad Moose]

Of course he must have been but in the spirit of the game the better team one and that has to be acknowledged. I think in relation to Junior football when a club gets this far there's an appreciation and acknowledgement of this. As someone says on another thread Junior football should remain Junior football.For example i've seen the papers here the lcouple of weeks and the higher the profile a club the more negative the profile and support can become.Just of late in relation to Finn Harps for example there's an awful lot of critisism in the press, whether its been the manager critisising support and vice-versa.This has a very negative impact. Its great to see defeat been accepted as defeat and Castlebar Celtic should be very proud of themselves and the support they generated.Thats the positivity I prefer to see in the game as opposed to baiting etc. There's an awful lot to be learned from that.

Well done to everyone concerned.

Brendan

[trevy]

Have the venue and date been confirmed for the final yet lads?

[irishyop]

Terryland in Galway, I think 2nd last weekend of May.

Fair play to Athenry totally deserved their win, Celtic did not turn up and I was very disappointed with a number of players.
Formation was strange with playing 1 up front but it seems Rusty was injured so could not play a full game.

Was excellent banter between the supporters and a good laugh, even if we did get totally drenched.

As said Milebush was a carpet, it is a dream to play on.

[bigball]

fai have said saturday 20th 7.30 in terryland park galway (although the fai website says 14th). as far as i'm aware terryland had been picked for the final long before athenry qualified so it was just times and dates to be decided. its unlucky for crystal that its in galway but they got the luck of the draw last year with a venue just up the road ie buckley park. should be a big crowd as no galway team has got to the final since galway bohs in 1941!!!

[Thunderblaster]

As said Milebush was a carpet, it is a dream to play on.

Supplied by Des Kelly of course!!:D

[irishyop]

Supplied by Des Kelly of course!!:D

J Dee Carpets supplied this pitch as far as I know, M Walsh Underlay did the underlay for it ;)