CRAUGHWELL U N IT E D BLACK AND BLUE The Craughwell United FC Newsletter Issue 14 December 2014 Free United celebrate success at the Galway FA Awards Night The Club wishes our United Players a Merry Christmas Anthony Gilligan, Aidan Collins, Aoife Raftery, Daragh Raftery and Dean Raftery with the Nicky Hardiman Fair Play Shield. Craughwell were well represented at the recent Galway FA Awards which took place in the Menlo Park Hotel. United were awarded the Nicky Hardiman Fair Play Shield for the least amount of yellow/red cards last season which highlights the competitive but fair approach from all our teams. Aoife Raftery was honoured as part of the Galway U14 team that achieved national success in winning the Gaynor Cup. In fact, Aoife is the first Craughwell United player to win a national title which is a fantastic achievement. The club was also recognised for winning five juvenile cups last season, a feat only bettered by city sides Mervue United and Salthill Devon out of the forty nine clubs registered in the Galway FA leagues. The biggest cheer of the night went to our Club Secretary Anthony Gilligan who received the Special Merit Award for his long service to Craughwell United and to Galway football (see page 6). For the latest news, photos, fixtures and results log onto www.craughwellunitedfc.com
U14 boys on the upward curve this season The Craughwell United U14 Boys before their recent SFAI Cup match against Maree/Oranmore. Back row - Dean Clarke, Darren Lyons, Thomas Hynes, Evan Kelly, Ryan Cahill, Michael Joyce, Vincent Boyle, Oisin Connaughton, Conor O'Neill. Front row - Kevin Molloy, Keelan Woodlock, Josh Wells, Joseph Jackson, Darragh O'Connor, Jason Burke. Our U14 boys have had a great season so far. We lie third in the Championship table, one point behind the leaders and are the only team undefeated. We have played six matches, won four and drawn two. We are also through to the second round of the GFA Cup having recently defeated Knocknacarra away 4-1. It has been a real squad effort with players coming in when others have been unavailable. Five players have been ever present, so all credit to Vincent Boyle, Darragh O'Connor, Joseph Jackson, Ryan Cahill and Evan Kelly. We entered into the SFAI cup and Connacht Cup and although knocked out of both competitions, it was good experience for the squad. Congrats to our very own Adam Cunney on being selected for the Galway U14 Kennedy Cup squad, well done Adam. A mention also, to Michael Joyce who has stepped up to be our goalkeeper this season and has performed really well. He is growing into the position with each game. Thanks to Vince Boyle who has carried out a few fitness tests on the squad. Also, to Connor Dolan (TY Student) who has assisted us at training and matches. Finally, last but not least, a special word of thanks to our coach Mark Faherty. Mark joined up with our squad this season to give me a helping hand. Mark's hard work, training and assistance is very much appreciated. Here is to 2015, hopefully we can continue our good form into the New Year. Willie O Connor. 2
U12 Boys reach mid-season in top form. The Craughwell United U12A team who defeated Renmore in their recent Championship league match. Back row Sam Finnerty, Shaun Gilligan, Liam Mulveen, Sam Maduka, Jack Regan, Gavin Kelly. Front Row Conor Hynes, Ross Whelton, Conor Trehy, Thomas Pierce, Sean Joyce. The Craughwell United U12B team who played Corrib Celtic B in their Division 3 league match. Back row Alex Craven, Sean Cahill, Niall Kennedy, Tomas Barlow, Conor Rooney. Front Row David Ruane, Jack Gilligan, Alan Higgins, Gearoid Meehan, Oisin Bloomer. The U12 Boys squads reach the half way mark of their league campaigns with both squads in contention for title honours. After 8 games played, the A squad are top of the GFA Championship Division and the B squad are 2nd and in touch with the league leaders in their division. There are 32 registered boys playing U12 this year and all seem to be enjoying their football. So far, they have played 22 games in total. Their record so far is very impressive with 17 wins, 3 draws and only 2 losses. At the time of going to press, the squad is still competing in the League Cup and the Connacht Shield. Goals have been plenty with 90 scored in the 22 matches. The lads deserve a good break with the leagues not starting up again until 31 January 2015. However, we will have friendly matches organised for January 2015 to keep them on their toes until then. Special thanks goes out to the parents who have helped out car pooling and assisting the coaches during away matches. Without this help, maintaining the great league and cup form would not be possible. Aubrey Mulveen. 3
U6/7 Craughwell United s U6 and U7 boys who started their season recently with coaches Mark Barry, Sean Keaveney and Declan Burke. U9 Some of the Craughwell United U9 boy s squad with coaches Karl Zimmerer and Sean Regan. U13 The Craughwell United U13 boys before their 1-1 draw against Premiership rivals Knocknacarra. Back row - Sean Connaughton, Alan Higgins, Eanna McDaid, Finbarr McFadden, Ciaran Connaughton, Jack Walsh, Alex Boyle, Adam Tully. Front row - Kyle Moorhead, Alex Evans, Ben Keane, Stephen O Halloran, Kevin Molloy, Cian Garman. 4
U11 U11 boys are busy in both the GFA league and Colga Friendly League Back Row, L to R- Niall Dillon, Michael Trehy, Darragh McCartin, Eoin Nugent, Aaron Gilligan, Oisin Quirke, Mathew Faherty, James Coleman Front Row, L to R-Cian Irwin, Tadgh Connaughton, Adam Stewart, Noah Keane, Harry Barlow, Cathal Kelly, Odhran Keane (Inset) U11 Back Row, L to R- Ross McGuinness, Jerry Boyle, Cian Geoghegan, Eoin Byrne, Kieran O Connor, Ben Brady, Shane Tuohy Front Row, L to R- Oisin MacAindreasa, Lukas Schukat, Tom Doran, Robert Urquhart, Nigel Kelly, Dara Collins, Danny Morrissey, Cillian Boland. Kian Cloonan (inset) U17/18 The U18B Boys who drew 6-6 away to Corofin United. Back row - Brendan Callanan Coach, Jack Craven, Willam Finnerty, Adam Flynn, Cole Connolly, Ian Connolly, Malachi McCormack, John Dolan, Conor Hamill, Dylan Prendergast, Mike Dolan Coach. Front row - Stephen Joyce, Stephen Callanan, Mikey Shiel, Chris Philips, Evan O Brien, Adam Rowan, Declan Berry. 5
GFA Special Merit Award 2014 - Anthony Gilligan Anthony has been an integral part of Craughwell United right from our humble beginnings in 1991. He was a key member of the very first club team that entered Division 3 of the Galway Leagues and got promoted in consecutive years up to the old Division 1. He quickly established a reputation for his no nonsense style of play and certainly most officials earned their refereeing fees at Craughwell matches in those days. Anthony has held the position of Secretary for most of the club s history but took time out from that role to hold other executive positions including Chairman along the way. This has given Anthony a popular profile both in Craughwell and in the greater footballing community. It is often recognized and reminisced in Craughwell that the club would not have continued in the leaner years without his drive and persistence. Certainly to this day, without his experience and commitment at every monthly meeting, the club could not run as smoothly. On behalf of Craughwell United we are proud that the Galway FA recognise Anthony s efforts in presenting him with a Special Merit Award this year for his services to football. Aidan Collins Craughwell United FC Chairman Craughwell United Secretary Anthony Gilligan accepting his Special Merit Award from Galway FA Secretary Declan Mooney. The Craughwell United U16 team who played Kinvara United in their Championship league match. Back row Ger Fahy Manager, Oisin Woodlock, Cian Egan, Oisin O Brien, Mark Cunningham, Kyle Heverin, Conor Roche, Troy Slattery, Morgan Flynn, Jack Lally, Cillian Dolan, Declan Burke Coach. Front Row Ronan Nevin, Ronnie Galvin, Alan Callanan, Eoin Fahy, Jonathan Boland, Jack Doran, Adam Lawlor-Smalle, Ben Creaven. 6
CRAUGHWELL U N IT E D 0 No Pitch FUNDING NEW PITCH DEVELOPMENT 20,000 Credit Union Loan + 22,000 S.C.P. Grant + 9,500 Fundraising so far 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 (November 2014-51,500) New Pitch CUFC Christmas 1000 Cash Draw Our Christmas 50-50 1000 Cash Draw will take place on Sunday night 28 December in rafterys Bar, Craughwell. Yellow 5 envelopes now on sale and are available from team managers, committee members and in all the usual Craughwell outlets. CUFC TExAS HOLD EM NIGHT In CAWLEY S BAR, CRAUGHWELL On FRIDAY 30 JANUARY 2015 1500 GUARANTEED PRIZEPOOL! 20 ENTRY with 10 Rebuys and Top-up DEALING CARDS @ 9:00pm Tickets 20 now available from club secretary Anthony Gilligan 087 2467230 Check our club website or www.lawlesspoker.ie for more details. Please Support Our Sponsors CHEEVERS Lounge Bar & Accommodation Craughwell, Co. Galway All Rooms En-Suite, TV, Car Parking Telephone: (091) 846090 NESTOR S Oranmore Tel: 091 792 044 WEDDING BIRTHDAY OCCASION THANK YOU IN MEMORIAM 34 Upper Abbeygate Street, Galway www.jayceefinecards.ie Doughiska, Galway. 091 785100 ACCIDENT & EMERGENCY UNIT OPEN 7 DAYS 10AM - 7PM SEAMUS COLEMAN Track Machine Site Work & Land Reclamation Tractor & Dump Trailer Hire Aggard House, Craughwell, Co. Galway Tel: 091 846766 087 2676300 sheamieno1@gmail.com Please email any relevant or newsworthy information to tomcunningham147@gmail.com 7
JUNiOr TABLe quiz Enjoying our Junior Table Quiz on Sunday 7 December in St Michael s Hall OUr FirST 25 YeArS A look back at the early years of Craughwell United. Pictures courtesy of Helen Cloonan See more photos in the Photo Gallery on our website www.craughwellunited fc.com Design & Print