Mar 7 12C's make it three from three
Town 12C's kept their Shield ambitions firmly on track today with a good 3-2 win away at St. Fergal's A, their third successive win keeping them atop Group B and with a semi final place in sight.  Liam Cullen and Nathan Cullen bagged the goals for Town's 9A's as they triumphed against Wicklow Rovers A in cup action.  Disappointment though for both 9C and 9D teams, exiting the WDSL despite excellent performances, the 9D team agonisingly beaten on penalties.  10B's also departed the cup going down to Aughrim.  Town's 11A eased past Greystones United A to finish top of their group while the 12A's were equally as convincing with victory over Wicklow Rovers.  The 13A's were also winners, in league action, against Wicklow Rovers B with goals from Kaelim Broughan and Ciaran O'Reilly.  The 17's edged past Dalkey United 4-3, with Des Bermingham netting a brace.  Match reports to follow.

Mar 6 Big cup wins for young Town sides
Town's 10A's dug deep to overcome a spirited Wolfe Tone B in Bray earlier today, winning 2-1 with goals from Eoghan O'Neill and Clive Keenan.  Town's 9B's trailed to an early Avonmore goal but stormed back to win 4-1.  A wonderful derby game between Town's new 8F and 8G sides lit up the Community College, the sides sharing the spoils in a six goal thriller.  The 8B's defeated Newtown A with a Luke Cummins strike while it was a rare defeat for the 8A's against Ardmore Rovers A.  8C's put in an excellent performance away at Wicklow Rovers E, drawing 2-2 while Dylan O'Reilly was on the mark for 8E in defeat at Glencormac.  Ross Coady netted for Town's 11D's in a draw with Greystones United C but disappointment for already qualified 11C, beaten 3-2 at Arklow United A.  The 15A's eased past St. Anthony's A on a 4-1 scoreline.  Defeats though for 13B and the 14's, against Rathnew A and Kilcock Celtic respectively.  Town's 12B's were given a walkover when Enniskerry A failed to appear.

Feb 28 Deadline extended for It's A Grand Old Game
You have just seven days and nights left to submit your entry for this year's It's A Grand Old Game prediction competition.  Would you like to win €1,000?  Predict the outcome of twenty of the biggest sporting events in 2010 and ONE THOUSAND EURO could be yours!  It's as simple as that!  We hope with this fundraiser that all who play it enjoy the fun aspect it will no doubt bring over the course of the year.  We thank you in advance for your support in this venture and we might suggest, in keeping with the fun element of the game, that you consider running mini leagues of your own, with friends and work colleagues, centred around the main game at play here.  Click here for further details.  €1,000?  It could be YOU!

Feb 28 Tompkins brace eases Town past Rovers
Two goals from defender David Tompkins helped Town's 15A's ease past Wicklow Rovers A at the Leisure Centre earlier today.  Further goals from Lee Kenny and Sean Hurley put the seal on an excellent team performance and 4-1 result.  Town's 11C's recorded an impressive 4-0 win over Greystones United B to secure a Shield semi final place, with goals coming from Ros McBride, Caleb Briggs-Wolohan, Tom Hurley and Pádraic O'Connor.  A big win also for Town's 11A team over the 11B team.  Mark Hardy bagged a hat trick for Town's 17's in a 5-0 success over SDFL side Cabinteely FC at Bridgewater Centre Park.  Frustration though for the 13B team who travelled to Glencormac to find no referee present for their fixture against the Kilmacanogue based side.

Feb 27 Town dig deep to reach last sixteen
Town's U15's are into the SFAI U15 Evans Cup last 16 after a dramatic late winner from striker James Sheehan secured precious victory over a very game Newbridge Town at Bridgewater Centre Park earlier today.  The visitors rocked Town with an opening goal in just the fourth minute with Town offering little or no defence as a Newbridge attacker headed home.  Jordan Forde rocketed home a free kick from all of thirty yards out just two minutes later to level, his goal another genuine contender for Goal Of The Season.  Late in the game, with just fifteen minutes remaining, the tireless James Sheehan was rewarded with what turned out to be the winning goal, as he steered home from the edge of the six yard area, putting Town into the last sixteen where another home time against opposition as yet unknown awaits.  Elsewhere, the 11D's were nothing short of superb in giving Roundwood A a right ol' fright at the Leisure Centre, a late winner from the visitors denying the home side a deserved share of the spoils after Aidan Lyons had given Town an earlier lead.

Feb 21 10s edge nearer to a League title with emphatic win
Town's 10A team kept their hopes of back to back league titles on track with an emphatic 4-0 away win at St. Peter's A in Bray earlier today.  Goals from Quentin O'Reilly, Ryan O'Donovan, Rory Heffernan and Niall Murphy leave Town with their destiny firmly in their own hands as the race for the title hots up.  Town's 11C's kept their own Shield ambitions on course with a big 5-1 win at Wolfe Tone B.  Equally, the 13B's enjoyed a good 4-1 win at Aughrim A to advance in Shield competition.  Town's 14's shared the spoils with Aughrim Rangers A in a highly entertaining 3-3 draw at Bridgewater Centre Park while a strike from young Conor O'Brien ensured the spoils went to Town's 9C team in a fine 1-0 win against St. Anthony's B.  Oran Walker bagged an excellent hat trick as the 8C's continued their fine progress with a good win at Coolboy.

Feb 20 Lethal Ledwith sees off Bohs
A brace from Daniel Ledwith ensured Town's Youth progressed to the 4th Round of this season's Leinster FA Youth Cup after a dramatic 2-1 win over League of Ireland side Bohemians' youth team. Trailing to a strike on the hour Ledwith levelled minutes later before firing home a late late winner.  Town's 17's were also winners, easing past Dublin side Granada on a 4-1 scoreline.  Dáire O'Conchubhair netted four of the 12A's ten in a landslide victory over Wicklow Rovers A while the 12C team earned back to back wins with an impressive 7-0 win over Wicklow Town.  Disappointment though for the 12B's with defeat at Wicklow Rovers B.  A bad day too for the 11B's, heavily beaten at Greystones United A.  Similarly, off days at U9 level with defeats for 9A, 9B and 9D.  The 10B team went down to a league title chasing Wolfe Tone B team.  The 8A's enjoyed a magnificent seven at Wolfe Tone A while the 8B team were edged out in a thriller at Carnew.  Our new under 8 sides enjoyed an eventful second weekend of WDSL action with one win, one draw, and two defeats rapping up a busy schedule of games today.

Feb 14 Key derby win for Town 11C team
A St. Valentine's Day meeting of Town 11C and Arklow United A ended in a home victory for Town, 3-0 winners with goals from Philip Molloy, Pádraic O'Connor and Caleb Briggs-Wolohan.  Town's 9A's faced Wicklow Rovers in a dress rehearsal of their upcoming league title play off, with Town winning this Shield encounter 2-1.  Less fortunate the 9B team, losing out 1-0 at Avonmore.  Mark Fitzgerald fired home for the 9D team, also against Wicklow Rovers opposition, in a 1-1 draw.  Disappointment though for Town's title chasing 10A's, edged out 1-0 at home by Greystones United A.  Frustration for the 12A's, a scoreless draw at home against Newtown in their opening Shield fixture.  Town's 12B's though brought their shooting boots to Enniskerry and dismantled the home team, 5-0.  A fine win for Town's 13A side, with Cillian Doyle netting twice in a 3-2 win over Greystones United A.  Nathan Doyle hammered home a hat trick for Town's 13B's, 4-0 winners over Glencormac.  Town's 17's eased past Beechwood 5-1, with Des Bermingham hitting the back of the net twice.

Feb 13 Culleton brace eases Town into FAI Youth Cup Fourth Round
Two goals from Darragh Culleton and one from Dara Verney eased Town's 18A side into the 4th round of this season's FAI Youth Challenge Cup at Paddy Maloney Park in Edenderry earlier tonight.  Town proved too strong for their hosts, winning 3-1, and in truth should have won by a greater margin.  Closer to home, in WDSL action earlier today, Cillian Kavanagh was on the double in Town's 10B win over Carnew.  Not to be outdone Clive Keenan fired home four goals for the 11D side in a superb 7-4 victory at Greystones United.  At the Leisure Centre the honours went to the 11A team in the clash with Town's 11B team, the floodgates opening in the latter stages seeing the A's to a 6-0 romp.  Disappointment for the 14's with defeat against Cabinteely in the Alliance League while the 18B team overcame a tough test against Newtown, winning 4-1.

Feb 13 Great day for youth as four new under eight teams take to action
Arklow Community College proved to be a hive of exciting activity earlier today with three of Town's new under 8 teams facing their first steps in WDSL action.  Town's other new U8 team, Town 8E were on the road, travelling to face Ashford and indeed they enjoyed a fine day out, winners on a 3-2 scoreline.  Aaron Bermingham drilled home the only goal of the game to give the new 8D team an excellent win over a game Enniskerry side while goals from Luke Scanlon and Sean Breen, for the 8G team, and one from Leigh Hannigan, for the 8F team, saw an exciting meeting clash of two new Town sides.  PJ O'Connor fired home the only goal of the game to give Town's 8C a very good win over Wicklow Rovers E.  Cian Quinn was on target twice as Town's 8B's went down 5-2 at Newtown.  Also on their travels, the 8A's were 4-3 victors at Ardmore Rovers A, with Callum Randall netting twice.

Feb 7 Stalemate at Whitegates
Honours even at Whitegates earlier today with the meeting of Wicklow Rovers A and Arklow Town A in WDSL U13 Premier Division (Shield) Group A.  A solid performance from Town with chances at a premium for both sides.  Keith Byrne was closest to opening the scoring for Town while keeper Aaron Jackson was alert to any efforts from the home team.  The share of the spoils sees Town edge nearer to a semi final place top of the division with four points from their two outings to date having already beaten Rovers in Arklow a fortnight ago.  Town's 11C's were beaten 4-2 at Greystones United B with Pádraic O'Connor and Ros McBride on the mark for Town.  Town's 8B team were in also in action, away at Ardmore Rovers.  Match reports to follow.

Feb 6 Town advance to last 32 in style
Three second half goals from Aidan O'Callaghan, Kevin Russell and Shane Walker proved more than enough to see Town's U15's through to the last 32 of this season's SFAI Evans Cup after an entertaining clash with Galway side Cregmore at BBK earlier today.  Scoreless at half time O'Callaghan struck first with a composed finish.  Kevin Russell doubled Arklow's lead with an excellent goal and Shane Walker completed a perfect day with a clinical third.  Town now face Newbridge Town in the last 32, the tie to be played in Arklow.  Mark Hardy struck five times for Town's U17's in a 8-1 demolition of Glencormac at Quill Road.  Defeats though for our 8A and 8C sides, away at Greystones United A and Enniskerry C respectively.  All other scheduled fixtures were postponed due to waterlogged pitches.  Match reports to follow.

Feb 5 It's A Grand Old Game - Know your sport?  Can you pick a winner?
Fancy yourself as a bit of a tipster, a sporting expert?  You could win €1,000 if your sporting predictions for 2010 are simply the best.  Arklow Town Football Club (Juniors) have launched a new game called "It's A Grand Old Game", where you are invited to predict the outcome of 20 global sporting events this year.  For example, will Brian O'Driscoll lead Ireland to back-to-back Grand Slam success in the Six Nations?  Can the Italians retain their World Cup title?  Will Tiger Woods re-emerge to lead USA to Ryder Cup glory?  Henry Sheflin the man to lead Kilkenny to another All Ireland Senior Hurling title?  You get the picture, it's so simple!  Some tips, a help or a hindrance you decide, can be found here.  Entry costs €10 per entry and details of the game can be found here.  Rules and regulations are detailed here.  Best of luck to all players!  And don't forget to tell your friends and work colleagues about it.  You could be €1,000 richer and with the sporting bragging rights!

Jan 31 It's a play off!
Composure was the order of the day for Town's U9A's requiring a win in their last Premier Division fixture against St. Anthony's A to join Wicklow Rovers A at the top.  Despite falling behind to a goal midway through the opening half the home side proved too strong for the Kilcoole side with four excellent goals from Kian Bolger (2), Andrew Maher and Eoin Quigley.  Town will now meet Rovers in a play off for the title.  Lady Luck chose not to shine on the 9B's also needing a win to retain title hopes, losing 1-0 at home to Newtown in a very tight game.  Conor Doyle netted for Town's 14's in their Alliance League defeat at Ardmore Rovers while major disappointment for Town's 17's when bowing out of the FAI Umbro Challenge Cup after a dramatic penalty shoot out defeat away at Home Farm, the game having ended 3-3 after extra time.

Jan 30 A little bit of O'Leary magic sees Town into last 16
Arklow Town U16's safely accounted for a game Templemore side in an entertaining SFAI Barry Cup Round of 32 clash at Bridgewater Centre Park earlier today, winning 4-1 with goals from Mark Hardy, two from Adam Moorehouse and an absolute sublime effort from Darragh O'Leary.  One of the visiting players suffered a bad injury and all at Arklow Town FC wish him a speedy recovery.  Also in National Cup action today were the 12A side, welcoming reigning champions Cherry Orchard to Lamberton.  The Dublin side edged ahead with an early strike and that unfortunately proved enough to see them advance to the last 16 at Town's expense.  In matters more local, defeats for the 15A's at Wicklow Rovers and the 11B's at home to Greystones United A.  The 11C's enjoyed an emphatic 5-0 win over Wolfe Tone B with Gerard Hackett netting a hat trick.  Aaron O'Toole netted a hat trick for the 12C's in a superb 6-3 win at Wicklow Town A while Ethan Curran and PJ O'Connor were on the mark for the 8C team who shared the spoils with Rathnew in a supremely enjoyable game at the Community College.

Jan 28 Town sides set to face each other after WDSL Cup draw
Unquestionably the one fixture to jump out of the many draws made earlier tonight sees Arklow Town 11B and Arklow Town 11A coming face to face in the first round of this season's WDSL U11 Premier Cup.  Ironically, a similar draw saw both 11A's and 11B's drawn to face each other last season with the two sides providing a fabulous night's football at Bridgewater Centre Park under the lights, with the A team prevailing on that wonderful occasion.  The draws were made for all age groups at the monthly meeting of WDSL clubs in Rathnew.  Details of all the draws made earlier this evening can be viewed here.

Jan 24 Superb Doyle strike sees Town past Rovers
A wonderful goal from striker Cillian Doyle secured the points for Town's 13A's after a titanic clash with rivals Wicklow Rovers A in their opening Shield fixture earlier today.  Doyle fired home the winner midway through the second half to give Town a perfect start to the Shield and confirm Rovers' first defeat of the season.  A Craig Kinsella hat trick was the highlight of Town U15A's emphatic 9-1 win over Avonmore A while Conor Kenny was on the mark for the 11D team in a spirited performance that ended in defeat against a strong Enniskerry A.  Nathan Cullen fired home two goals as the U9A's recorded a vital home win over Carnew A.  Andrew Maher, Kian Bolger and Conor Roche netted the other goals in a 5-1 win that now sees Town needing a win in their last fixture to force a play off for the title with Wicklow Rovers A.  The U9C's, who have already secured the runners up spot in Division 4A lost at home to Coolboy with Jacob Moody the lone scorer in a 4-1 defeat.

Jan 23 Second half blitz sees Town reach last 36 in Evans Cup
A brace from Aaron Ward and speculative strikes from Gavin Forde and Aidan O'Callaghan eased Arklow Town U15's past Blessington and into the (Open Draw) last 36 of this season's SFAI Evans Cup, where they will welcome Connacht side Cregmore to Bridgewater Centre Park for the right to advance to the last 16 in this season's National Cup.  First half goals from Philip Nolan and James Sheehan had eased the home side into a two goal lead but the visitors levelled with two quick strikes.  Town upped their game in the second half and were deserving winners.  Disappointment for Town's 12B team, losing out 2-1 at home to Carnew despite a brilliant Garrett Kenny piledriver free kick hitting the back of the net.  The 18B's played out an entertaining 2-2 draw with Granada at Lamberton with Des Bermingham bagging Town's two goals.  Jack O'Reilly, Liam Moore and Christopher Furlong all netted for Town's U8A's in an impressive 3-1 away win at Ardmore Rovers A.  The U8C's were edged out 4-3 in a seven goal thriller away at Rathnew while a valiant effort from Town's U14's ended in unlucky defeat, 1-0 against Wicklow Rovers.

Jan 23 Futsal tournament Week 2 schedule
Three Arklow Town FC sides will once again compete in this weekend's WDSL U10 Futsal League at Arklow Sports and Leisure Centre.  After a successful opening weekend the divisions have been rejigged.  The A team will play in the Red division while the B and C team compete in the Blue division.  All players are requested to be in attendance 30 minutes before first kick off.  Squads consist of a minimum 7 players and maximum 9.  More details and full fixture schedule here.

Jan 21 Town duo earn FAI Schools call up
Congratulations to Adam Hanlon and Jack Tim Murphy on their selection to play for the FAI Schools (U18) team in the upcoming international friendly versus Australia.  Both Town players impressed when playing for Leinster Schools at last October's FAI Schools Inter-Provincial Tournament and earned their call up to the national team.  They will face the Australians next Thursday afternoon, a 1pm kick off at the Oscar Traynor complex in Coolock, Dublin.  The duo are following in the footsteps of former clubmate Shane Murray who also earned international recognition at this level, playing and scoring against New Zealand Schools in 2008.  More details here.

Jan 18 Town set to implement Don't X The Line campaign
Arklow Town Football Club is set to introduce the Don't X The Line campaign in the very near future.  The Don't X The Line campaign is designed to eradicate aggressive and abusive behaviour from players, coaches and spectators alike.  Even though we have in place our own Code of Conduct, we feel this campaign deserves our full support.  The Junior Committee has decided to implement the Don't X The Line campaign across Under 8, Under 9 and Under 10 football involving our teams.  Pitch barriers and signage will be erected at all games involving our teams in these age categories.  Barriers are to be erected 20 yards each side of the halfway line.  Nobody will be allowed to stand behind goals and the emphasis is on those watching games to encourage players.  Coaches and managers are to stand in front of these barriers and are also to be discouraged from walking along the line.  More details on Don't X The Line here.

Jan 16 New teams all set for action:  All systems are GO!
Great excitement earlier today with our new under 8 teams coming together for a pre-Shield campaign training session.  All these players have graduated from the ever popular 6s and 7s Club and are eagerly awaiting their first games in WDSL action.  Every season Arklow Town enter new teams drawn from the 6s and 7s Club and enter them into the Shield format competition, a worthwhile process for young children taking their first steps in team football.  The placement of the new teams into various divisions has yet to take place.  All at the Club wish the very best to the new players and their coaches as they get set for action.

Jan 16 Five star Town too hot for 'Stones
With the weather once again decimating much of the WDSL fixture schedule Town were reduced to one solitary game today, with the U11A team travelling to Greystones United A for their opening meeting in the WDSL Shield Premier Group A.  Town were always on top and led at the interval with goals from defenders Jack Somers and Thomas Rowan.  Further goals in the second half from Liam Scales, Tom Maher and Calem Devereux ensured a comfortable 5-0 win for Town.  Match report here.  Sunday's programme has also been decimated with just two fixtures remaining - the 13A's travel to Greystones United A and the 15A's host Wicklow Rovers at the Leisure Centre.  The WDSL U10 Futsal League remains intact for play at the Leisure Centre also despite the traffic problems caused by flooding in the Arklow area earlier today.

Jan 12 Ledwith earns call up to Colleges National squad
Arklow Town's Daniel Ledwith has been selected by national team manager Danny Crowley for this season's Colleges National squad.  Studying at IT Carlow and playing in the Colleges and Universities Football League Premier West Division Ledwith impressed the National management team at trials in December.  Daniel, in making the 20-man squad, will face fixtures against both Defence Forces and Universities Representative teams as well as undertaking a Development trip abroad later this year.  Congrats from all at the club.