CLUB CALL

BRAY BOWLS

The first week of the season is over and Bray had mixed results. Our Division 4 team kicked things off with a home win against Sportslink taking five points in the process.

Thursday saw the three Vets teams in action with Vets 1 taking all four points on offer at home to Kenilworth, Vets 2 taking one point at home to Skerries and Vets 3 taking one point away to Aer Lingus where Gay Cahill had an outstanding game.

Saturday saw Divisions 1 and 2 playing CYM and Division 1 drew 76 shots each and got 3.5 points. Division 2 were away to CYM and unfortunately had no luck at all. This coming week sees Div 4 away to Ierne and our Divison 6 team are making their seasonal debut on Wednesday night away to Westmanstown.

The ladies kick off on Wednesday away to Kenilworth and here is wishing them well for the season ahead.

Thursday sees all three Vets teams back in action with Vets 1 away in Rathmines to Leinster, Vets 2 away in Crumlin and Vets 3 at home to Blackrock at 11.00am. This coming Saturday sees Division 1 away to newly promoted Railway Union and Division 2 at home to Kenilworth who were relegated from Division 1.

Plenty of bowls to play and plenty for all passersby to see.

AVONMORE FC

It was a mixed bag for our Avonmore under-15s and under-16s last weekend as they played in their Shield finals.

Our under-15s were unlucky and were beaten on a scoreline of 5-3, while our under-16s retained their Shield title, beating Wicklow Rovers 2-0 in Roundwood. Well done to both teams and we wish them the best of luck in their upcoming cup finals.

NEWTOWN JUNIORS

Our under-9s and under-11s had no fixture last weekend, as their opposition were unable to field.

Both games against Roundwood and Enniskerry Red respectively have been re-fixed for midweek.

Of the games that were played our under-8s enjoyed an excellent series of games away to Ashford Rovers. Leighton, David, Albie, Alex and Leon all found the net in a close game.

It was disappointing to see that some players never turned up or worse never bothered notifying the coaches that they wouldn’t be travelling to the game.

Our 10s were involved in a close game away to Greystones where they were edged out 3-2.

Cormac Chance scored both Newtown goals and he along with Dylan Dunleavy were the star players.

The under-13s gave it their all in the Premier Shield final against Wicklow Rovers ‘A’ as a late goal gave Rovers a 2-1 win.

Shane Dunleavy scored the Newtown goal with a header from a Luke Breen corner kick to equalise an early second half opener from Rovers.

On the day we congratulate Rovers on their victory. Some of our team probably didn’t hit the heights they usually do but there were star performers on the day for Newtown in Rebecca Gillan, Laragh Davis, Jason Carthy and Fionn O’Reilly and both teams will have to do it all again next Sunday in the Premier Cup final in Greystones.

On Thursday evening our 15s qualified for the Division 1 Cup final after a Titanic tussle with Enniskerry in Bog Meadow.

With the first leg ending 1-all it was all to play for.

Enniskerry took an early lead when a cross come shot snook in under the crossbar.

Our lads gradually got back into the game and had a couple of half chances but they stepped up their game big time in the second half.

On the hour mark after a good move involving Josh Odlum and Andrew McMahon, Steven Coughlan scored with a near post header.

In the final minute what seemed like disaster struck when Enniskerry scored a last minute second goal after a defensive mix up.

Newtown forced a couple of corners and from one McMahon was bundled over in the area and the ref awarded a penalty.

McMahon took the kick and put it away, the final whistle went and it was penalties to decide the winner.

To say the standard of penalties was of the highest quality would be an understatement as our lads won out 9-8 on penalties.

On the night there were many top displays and every player played their part but Andrew Waters, Josh Odlum and Ryan Smillie were among the star performers.

Onto the Saturday morning and the team hosted Wicklow Rovers ‘B’ in the league where maximum points from all their games may be required to attain league honours.

They started off like a train and raced into a three goal lead thanks to goals from Andrew McMahon (2) and Steven Coughlan.

Just before half-time Rovers pulled a goal back and added two more in the second half to take a deserved share of the points as Newtown fell way below the levels of their first half display.

It felt very much like a draw had been snatched from the jaws of victory. On the day Ciaran Mangan, Alex Kelly and Stephen Doran were among the players who played well.

The following are the fixtures for the weekend of April 26-30:

Under-9s at home to Roundwood, Thursday at 6.30pm.

Under-11s away to Enniskerry Red, Wednesday at 7pm.

Under-13s at home to Avonmore F.C. ko at 7pm.

Under-8s at home to Wicklow Rovers White, ko to be confirmed.

Under-9s away to Greystones ‘D’, ko to be confirmed.

Under-10s at home to Coolboy Rangers, ko to be confirmed.

Under-11s at home to Aughrim Rangers, ko to be confirmed.

Under-13s vs Wicklow Rovers ‘A’, ko Sunday at 1.30pm (Premier Cup final, venue: Greystones).

Under-15s vs Avonmore F.C., ko Sunday at 3pm (Division1 Cup final at Greystones.

We are hoping to have a ladies team competing in the Dublin Women’s Soccer League but we need to recruit a number of new players as emigration etc has seriously depleted our squad.

If you are 16 or over and are interested in playing please give Hughie a call on 087 6987653 for further details.

If we don’t get a good response we’ll have to knock the team on the head for this season, which would be a pity, so fingers crossed.

Only one player from the club celebrates a birthday in the coming week and he is Sean Thornton from the under-11s. Happy birthday Sean from everyone at Newtown Juniors F.C.

The Development Squad are back training this coming Saturday (April 29) starting at 10am in the top pitch.

The teams have confirmed their training times for the week beginning Monday, April 24:

Under-8s on Wednesdays 6-7pm; Under-9s Thursdays from 6-7pm; Under-10s on Tuesdays 6-7pm; Under-11s on Wednesdays at 7-8pm; Under-13s on Wednesdays from 5-6pm; Under-15s on Tuesday from 6.30pm.

(Please check with respective team coaches regards training times as they may change!).

Our latest Last Man Standing competition will be going into Week 6, as ten of our players have advanced to Week 6. Week 6 fixtures will be for the weekend of Saturday, April 29 to Monday, May 1. Many thanks to everyone for their continued support.

On a sadder note we extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Veronica ‘Ron’ Hagan from Wicklow Town who sadly passed away last week. May she rest in peace.

For further information on all matters Newtown Juniors F.C. please contact the secretary at 087 6987653 or by email to hughienolan@gmail.com and you can also follow the club on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

BRAY WANDERERS

Bray Wanderers Lotto - There was no jackpot winner on April 23. Numbers drawn were 2, 7, 12, and 14. €30 lucky dip winners: Alison Howard c/o D. Crinion, M.G. Keating C/o J. Keating, Joe and Declan c/o D. Crinion, Betty Egan c/o V. Walsh, Tommy Reid c/o D. Crinion. Next week’s jackpot is €9,350.

Lotto tickets can be purchased in the club shop at home games or you can play the Bray Wanderers Lotto on line at our website www.braywanderersfc.ie.

Lotto tickets are also printed on the rear of match tickets. Simply fill in the ticket and drop it into the club shop at home games.

Fixtures - Bray Wanderers are away to Cork City on Friday, April 28. Kick off at Turners Cross is 7.45pm.

Underage teams - The under-19s and under-17s both drew 2-2 with Limerick FC last week end. Conall Flood and Ross Broderick scored for the under-19s who came from two goals down to draw last Saturday.

Eoin Darcy scored twice for the Bray Wanderers/St. Joseph’s Boys Academy under-17s last Sunday against Limerick FC under-17.

The under-19s have no game next weekend.

The under-17s play Waterford on Sunday, April 30, at home. Kick off at the SJB Academy in Carrickmines is 2.00pm.

The Bray Wanderers/St. Joseph’s Boys Academy is situated at SJB Academy, Glenamuck Road, Carrickmines. Dublin 18. D18 W2X6.

It is opposite the entrance to Wayside Celtic) between the Golden Ball and Carrickmines.

Celtic Legends - Henrik Larsson, Stiliyan Petrov, Tom Boyd and Alan Stubbs plus many more Glasgow Celtic Legends will grace the Carlisle Grounds on Saturday, April 29, for a charity football match between 1888Fitness 11 and Glasgow Celtic Legends.

The match in aid of Ger Doolin who is a close friend of our first team coach Graham Kelly and was the victim of a serious unprovoked assault last July leaving him in a coma with a fractured skull and 3 bleeds on his brain.

All money raised from the game will go to the Ger Doolin rehabilitation fund to continue to help him on his long road to recovery. Tickets priced only €5 are available from the Carlisle Grounds from Monday to Thursday from 10am to 3pm and also in the club shop at all home games.

Tickets are only €5 and now available online http://braywanderersfc.ie/ tickets-info/.

Supporters bus to Cork - The next away game is against Cork on Friday, April 28.

The Seagulls club will run a bus to this game. Seats can be booked by text to 087 9968969.

Bus will depart 2.30pm from the Carlisle Grounds.

Fares for Seagulls Club members are Adults €25, Student (Age 15-17) €15, Schoolchild (under 15) €10. Non-club members €5 extra.

ARKLOW TOWN FC

A great weekend of football in our club, with many of our representative DDSL, WDSL and LSL teams in action.

Our LSL first team travelled to Coolmine Park on Sunday afternoon to play against Verona FC. A thoroughly enjoyable game played between two teams culminating in a two-all draw.

On Saturday afternoon our under-13 DDSL team welcomed Templeogue FC to our Astro facility in Bridgewater Centre Park.

This team are really coming into their stride of late and, with a 4-0 win on the day, now boast a nine-goal tally from their last three games and more impressively have maintained three clean sheets in the process. Goals on the day came from Adam Lacey, Patrick O’Halloran and a brace from Louie Harris Hingerty.

Our under-11 DDSL team won on the road on Saturday against a very disciplined St Mochtas side.

Walking out 2-1 winners, our goalscorers were Ryan Scanlon and Sean O Neill.

This team are taking part in an eight team tournament in Tolka Rovers next weekend; an invitational tournament only, this is a great opportunity and achievement for the team and we wish them the best of luck.

Our under-14 DDSL team played Peamount on Saturday with the game finishing 2-2. Goals on the day scored by Luke Scanlon and Ben Algera.

Our Little Astros Club continues every Saturday morning at 10am. This hour-long session is free of charge and is overlooked by fully qualified coaches.

It provides a fun introduction to football in a very safe and secure environment.

It caters for boys and girls aged between four and seven years old and newcomers are always welcome.

The club provides specialised goalkeeper training sessions every Friday evening for all our club goalkeepers.

These sessions, which are completely free of charge to our goalies, is ran by IPK coaches and have proved invaluable to all our goalkeepers.

We would like to thank all the boys and girls who took part in our very successful Easter Camp. a great time was had by all who attended.

Do check out our Facebook page at The Town-Arklow Town FC for everything that is happening within our Club. THREE CASTLES ROWING

Schools Regatta - The schools regatta took place in O’Brien’s Bridge, Limerick on Sunday with a very large entry of 500 crews representing 70 schools.

Three Castle rowers from Blessington, Aaron Keogh and Luke Flynn, represented their school Blessington Community College in the the under-16 single and double sculls.

They progressed to both finals through the time trials in the two events and then put in a great performance to win the double sculls final.

In the single sculls final Aaron was a close second to Jack Dorney of Presentation College, Cork with Luke coming in third.Great achievement by Aaron and Luke from Blessington Community College.

Junior Training Camp - An Easter training camp for three days was held in Lough Rynn, Co. Letrim for the top 14 junior scullers.

Rowing Ireland invited four juniors from Three Castles RC, Oisin Clune, Rory Quinn, Tadgh Mc Knight and Aaron Keogh.

Trials were held in quad and double sculls and final selections will be decided in late June for crews to represent Ireland in the Home International and Coupe regatta’s in July.

Best of Luck to the four juniors from Blessington.