ALL SET FOR BATTLE
Talented Avonmore FC face Freebooters in cup clash
AHEAD of their crucial LFA Youths Cup clash away to Kilkenny side Freebooters on Saturday, we’re taking a look at the Avonmore Youths squad who are enjoying an unbeaten run in the John Tobin Youth League and are looking to progress to the quarter-finals of the Leinster Cup.
Under the guidance of Ryan Cahill, Jay McGraynor and Darragh Keenan, this talented squad of players have won their first nine league games, scoring 56 goals and conceding eight. They have also won their first two LFA Cup games, defeating rivals Wicklow Rovers ‘A’ 9-0 in the first round and then dispatching Tombrack United of Wexford by a score-line of 5-0.
As part of the team, I’ve had first hand experience with this great bunch of lads and it’s absolutely brilliant to be a part of. The craic does be mighty but the footballing aspect is incredible.
Competition for places are so tough this season and the managers must have a headache naming a starting 11 every Saturday.
Matches in training are always played with very high intensity levels and that has certainly carried on to the playing field.
Here is an inside look into the full squad and the management also give their thoughts on the team and dish the dirt on the panel.
AVONMORE SQUAD
Aaron Tuke
Nickname: Tuke Preferred oosition: CDM (Central Defensive Mid)
One word to describe your playing style: Powerful
Personal highlight of season so far: Making my debut alongside Deco!
Aidan Murray
Nickname: Big Murr Preferred position: Goalkeeper One word to describe your playing style: Heroic/God-Like
Personal highlight of season so far: (Hopefully) Lifting the league trophy in Ashford in a few weeks’ time!
Ayyub Azmat (one goal) Nickname: Yub Preferred position: Right Winger/Wing Back
One word to describe your playing style: Quick/Attacking
Personal highlight of season so far: Coming on as a sub against Arklow Town and scoring a goal and an assist in 20 minutes. Callum Busher (one goal) Nickname: Busher Preferred Position: Left Wing Back
One word to describe your playing style: Nutmegs
Personal highlight of season so far: Telling Eric that I will score and running up and scoring a header straight away.
Cody Reid (two goals) Nickname: Nuts Preferred position: Striker
One word to describe your playing style: Dribbler
Personal highlight of season so far: Scoring against Wicklow Rovers ‘B’
Craig Wall
Nickname: Gyp Preferred Position: Left Wing Back
One word to describe your playing style: Link-Up
Personal highlight of season so far: Helping the team out with a few assists.
Dale Fluskey (four goals) Nickname: The Flu Preferred position: Central Attacking Mid
One word to describe your playing style: Unpredictable
Personal highlight of season so far: Assisting Oisín McGraynor Dan Hagan (two goals) Nickname: Hogan Preferred Position: Striker One word to describe your playing style: Poacher
Personal highlight of season so far: Scoring against Tombrack in the LFA Cup
Danny Morley
Nickname: Morls Preferred position: Centre-Back/Goalkeeper
One word to describe your playing style: Passing
Personal highlight of season so far: Going in goal at half-time against Arklow Utd.
Dean Carter (four goals) Nickname: Deano Preferred Position: Striker One word to describe your playing style: Speed
Personal highlight of season so far: Coming back from injury and scoring a hat-trick against Arklow Town.
Declan Breslin (one goal) Nickname: Deco Preferred position: Centre Mid One word to describe your playing style: Wizard
Personal highlight of season so far: Scoring on my debut vs Arklow Town
Eric Olohan (two goals) Nickname: Van Dijk Preferred position: Centre back One word to describe your playing style: Crunch
Personal highlight of season so far: Seeing the “Rossy chop” in action/doing the Matuidi celebration away to Arklow Utd.
Jack Manley (six goals) Nickname: Tiesto Preferred position: CDM One word to describe your playing style: Useless!
Personal highlight of season so far: Being able to hit the target the odd time.
Kevin Kinsella
Nickname: Kev Preferred position: Defender One word to describe your playing style: Tough
Personal highlight of season so far: Playing against Arklow United as I was injured and hadn’t played for over a year.
Liam Dickenson
Nickname: Liamo Preferred position: CDM One word to describe your playing style: Defensive
Personal highlight of season so far: The team’s unbelievable! Mark Cullen (six goals) Nickname: Marky/Lil Wayne Preferred position: Striker One word to describe your playing style: Creative
Personal highlight of season so far: Coming on as a sub against Arklow United to bag two goals and an assist.
Oisín McGraynor (35 goals) Nickname: McJesus Preferred position: Striker One word to describe your playing style: Powerful
Personal highlight of season so far: Hitting the 30-goal mark in 10 games.
Rob Vard
Nickname: Vardy Preferred position: Right wing back
One word to describe your playing style: Tough
Personal highlight of season so far: Turning up for training
Ross Merry
Nickname: Rossy
Preferred position: Central Attacking Mid
One word to describe your playing style: Class!
Personal highlight of season so far: My nutmeg against Wicklow Rovers ‘A’.
Ross Ward (three goals) Nickname: Wardy Preferred position: Centre Mid One word to describe your playing style: Electric
Personal highlight of season so far: Beating Ashford 4-0
Ryan Kenny (two goals) Nickname: Kenny Preferred position: Centre Back One word to describe your playing style: Composed
Personal highlight of season so far: Winning every game
Seán Leonard
Nickname: Seamie Preferred position: Centre Mid One word to describe your playing style: Dynamic
Personal highlight of season so far: Beating my old club Wicklow Rovers.
Zach Cullen (captain) Nickname: Jack, because Cahill always mixes me up! Preferred position: CDM One word to describe your playing style: Crisp
Personal highlight of season so far: Beating Ashford, because they’re our main rivals.
MANAGERS
How would you describe the team’s style of play?
Ryan Cahill: Creative attacking football
Darragh Keenan: We play an exciting passing game which is very easy on the eye. We like to keep the ball on the deck and play football the way it should be played.
Jay McGraynor: It’s fair to say we are obsessed with our style of play, we talk about it and practice it constantly. We place a lot of focus on accurate short passing and moving and don’t really believe in long ball football. We have adopted a certain style of pressing which suits the team.
How far do you think this team can go?
Ryan: In Wicklow, I don’t see why we can’t repeat what we did last year (win the treble). In the LFA Cup we are going into the unknown so who knows. The only think I do know is it’ll take a very, very good team to stop us!
Darragh: I think we are more than capable of repeating the treble, and we are a long way to doing so. In terms of the LFA Cup, I have great belief that we can go very close to winning it, we know Freebooters will be a tough task but one I believe we are more than capable of upsetting the odds in.
Jay: Our aim is to continue to work hard and pick up more silverware by the end of the season.
Who is the most naturally gifted player on the team?
Ryan: Tough question, there’s a few but the one that caught my eye from day one was Mark Cullen, his ability comes naturally to him.
Darragh: I think the most technically gifted would be Zach Cullen, his reading of the game is a joy to watch. When it comes to feet, I don’t think you get a better pair of feet than Dale Fluskey, great to watch! We also have a naturally born goal-scorer in Oisín McGraynor who seems to be scoring for fun lately.
Jay: Very difficult question and I’m not sure I’d get away with naming someone specifically. We’re lucky to have a number of naturally gifted players and a great blend of different qualities.
Which player has what it takes to be a manager?
Ryan: Easy! Zach Cullen, he has a footballing knowledge well beyond his age.
Darragh: I can’t really pinpoint anyone, although Aidan Murray would definitely fancy himself as one! He always has something to say!
Jay: There’s a few but the one that stands out is Ross Ward. Ross possesses a very commanding presence on the pitch and is quick to let people know when they’re doing right and wrong.
Who is the most two-footed player?
Ryan: Oisín McGraynor, scores off both feet in almost every game.
Darragh: Ross Merry, lethal tekkers!
Jay: Rob Vard has wands on both feet.
Who’s the manager’s pet? Ryan: Jack Manley, loves a good gossip at training!
Darragh: Zach Cullen likes to think he is!
Jay: We actually had a mock award for this at last season’s dinner, Ryan Kenny took it home. He’s always there to back us up when things get a bit hairy. Who’s the joker?
Ryan: There’s a few, for some reason, Craig Wall always cracks me up.
Darragh: Callum Busher, always stitching lads up!
Jay: Dan Hagan never stops. Who can’t take a joke? Ryan: Declan Breslin 100 per cent.
Darragh: Declan Breslin, he gets awful upset.
Jay: Some of the lads get very upset about my joke refereeing performances in training. Particularly Callum Busher and Eric Olohan.
Who works hardest at training?
Ryan: Either Dean Carter or Cody Reid, both are very similar, very hard working
Darragh: Liam Dickenson, always gives 100 per cent.
Jay: Without a doubt it’s the management team trying to control 20 hooligans.
And finally, who’s the laziest player in training?
Ryan: Callum Busher! Lazy isn’t the word!
Darragh: Aidan Murray, spends all night lying on the deck!
Jay: Aidan Murray would do anything to avoid running. He’s a great keeper so he gets away with it.