Arklow Town FC Under 11s

<<< Season 08-09                                                                                                                       

May 22 Town edge closer to Treble
A gloriously hot day at the Carlisle Grounds in Bray as Arklow Town 11A's met Greystones United A in the WDSL U11 Premier Cup Final.  The cup represented Greystones' best hope for silverware this season, having somewhat surprisingly lost to Wicklow Rovers A in the Shield semi final.  The league title has yet to be confirmed but anything other than an Arklow triumph at this stage would greatly surprise.  The Woodlands based team started brightly, dominating the opening fifteen minutes play.  Somewhat against the run of play Town grabbed the lead.  Winger Liam Scales threaded a ball into Conor Byrne and the Town midfielder burst into the Greystones area, lifting his effort over the advancing keeper into an empty net.  Arklow settled down and began to dictate matters.  A fine move led to Town doubling their lead, started at the back by keeper Cathal Kelleher.  The sweeping move, involving the keeper, Stewart Mills, Mikey Quigley and Darragh Fitzgerald ended with Fitzgerald playing an exquisite inch-perfect pass to Liam Scales and in a fashion similar to the previous Arklow goal he fired home over the keeper.  A good move saw Greystones half the deficit with a well taken goal.  Any chance of a Greystones revival being completed were totally snuffed out in the closing stages when Town midfielder Fitzgerald put the icing on the cake with a wonderful goal from halfway, spotting the keeper off his line the young Arklow captain fired home a magnificent goal from distance.  The two sides have yet to meet in their crucial final league meeting of the season with the Arklow side primed to secure a Shield, Cup and League treble.

Images from today's Cup Final victory:

May 15 Bitter pill for spirited B team
A hard defeat to take for Town's 11B's today at Woodlands in Greystones, going down 4-3 after extra time to Ardmore Rovers A in the Premier Division Plate Final.  Town had endured an off day when meeting the same opposition in a league meeting just a matter of weeks ago; one of their lesser performances of the season to date, losing deservedly so 5-1 on a bad day at the office in Ballywaltrim.  Acknowledged by both teams that day, the performance, or otherwise, of the match official.  Mindful of that day, Town went into today's game hoping that the very same referee would be as much improved as a Town performance.  Well, we got a very much improved Town performance and little else.  Town opened well and in a competitive opening spell were showing the necessary hunger.  A foul on Amy Guilfoyle, inside the D, in just the fourth minute, gave Alex Tyrrell a glorious opportunity to gain an early advantage for Town.  Tyrrell duly delivered, driving home into the bottom left hand corner beyond the Ardmore keeper.  Seven minutes later though the sides were level with the Ardmore number ten skipping through Arklow's back line, placing his shot wide of Town keeper Eoin Kavanagh into the bottom right hand corner.  Peter Tyrrell, who had started slowly, began to increasingly influence Town's creative play, sliding in a succession of telling balls through Ardmore's rearguard, with Amy Guilfoyle going close to converting one such opportunity.  It was Tyrrell himself though who restored Town's lead, superbly lobbing the keeper from the edge of the area after excellent play down Town's right wing involving both Adam Harvey and Nathan Feeney.  Ardmore levelled for a second time when Town switched off defensively, conceding a very sloppy goal after spurning numerous chances to clear from the Bray side's corner.  Cullan Walsh, tireless in Town's midfield, then broke forward, a surging run taking him all the way to the edge of Ardmore's area before being denied a chance to strike.  Equally, Cameron Walker, working hard in the Town 'engine room', trying to force home Town's advantage, probing for an opening.  Town were then denied a blatant penalty when Peter Tyrrell, primed to put Town ahead, was pushed over in the area by the Ardmore number five.  Cruelly so, right on half time Ardmore took the lead for the first time, controversially so with their number eight at least three yards offside.  Not so said the referee as the Bray side went into half time 3-2 ahead.  Town were forced to shuffle the pack at half time with captain Tom Delahunt forced to retire early with a niggling injury.  Joseph Cummiskey slotted in alongside Daniel Boyle with Cal Kelly replacing Adam Harvey, freeing Cameron Walker to operate from the right wing. The second half saw Town camped in and around the Ardmore penalty area.  Credit where credit due, Ardmore defended with great determination and Town, though dominant, created very few clear cut chances.  Zach Kilbride, composed as ever, linked up well with Walker on Town's right as Arklow camped in the Ardmore half for long spells.  Andrew Cash went close to levelling with a shot just wide of the post ten minutes from time.  With just three minutes left Town grabbed their deserved equaliser, a wonderful move up Town's left flank - Amy Guilfoyle, Town's 'man' of the match linking up well with both Jake Byrne and Nathan Feeney (another Town candidate for the man of the match honour) and it was Byrne who thundered home from just inside the Ardmore penalty area.  It was absolutely nothing less than what Town deserved for their second half performance.  Into extra time and Town's frustration grew in a very stop start period.  Ardmore sneaked ahead 4-3 thanks to a defensive error and though Town pressed for another equaliser it was not to be.  A Nathan Feeney strike on goal was clearly handled by an Ardmore defender, with the referee again waving away Arklow shouts for a penalty.  A hard defeat to take all things considered.  However, it is games like this, in defeat, where you hope children learn to appreciate all aspects of the game we love.  Very well played Town, a defeat the team did not deserve.

Images from today's Plate Final:

May 15 Five-star Town land first leg in Treble chase
In the end no real surprise at the outcome of today's WDSL U11 Premier Shield Final, with Arklow Town 11A accounting for a game Wicklow Rovers A side, 5-0 the result in Town's favour.  In the two previous meetings of the sides Town had rattled home twelve goals without answer and today was to prove no different.  However, accustomed as the team are to winning games, nerves still play their part and Town opened in somewhat hesitant fashion, and Rovers were keen to contest every ball in an even opening quarter of an hour.  Just past the 15th minute Town went ahead, a lovely sweeping move started at the back by keeper Cathal Kelleher.  He eased the ball out to Stewart Mills who showed awareness and composure in finding Liam Scales operating out wide left.  Scales danced off on one of his trademark runs down the left flank before sliding through to Ross Hanley, bursting through the middle and he slotted home Town's opening goal in style.  Despite enjoying a growing percentage of possession Town failed to add further goals before the interval.  Defender Thomas Rowan twice went close to doubling Town's lead with headed efforts well saved by the Rovers keeper.  The recently very prolific Calem Devereux also went very close to extending Town's lead with a few strikes on goal.  However, the pressure finally told and Town did indeed double their lead, with Scales finding Conor Byrne unmarked, and he drove home from six yards out.  Another lovely sweeping Town move saw Cian Doyle finding Morgan Harris in acres of space.  Harris then drove at the Wicklow rearguard before passing to Ross Hanley who in turn found Mikey Quigley in position to add further to Town's total.  Quigley soon added a fourth for Town, driving low and hard after excellent team work all over the pitch.  The seal was put on the victory midway through the half with Conor Byrne netting his second and Town's fifth goal of the game.

Images from today's game:

May 8 Town reach Premier Cup Final with convincing win over Enniskerry
An early shock for treble chasing Town, going 1-0 down inside the opening minutes against Enniskerry B, in this semi final meeting in the WDSL U11 Premier Cup.  However, Town soon got into their normall stride and before half time had slotted home six goals without reply.  Playing in midfield today, Stewart Mills fed a lovely through ball into forward Calem Devereux and he fired home the first of his three goals.  Morgan Harris' pace was always a source of creative play for Town down the right flank and he netted Town's second goal.  Liam Scales too, on the other flank, found himself on the scoresheet, netting once in each half.  Ross Hanley showed a striker's instinct when netting from close range to further extend Town's half time lead. Town's eighth goal was scored by Conor Byrne, smashing home from outside the area.

May 4 Town hammer Rovers as title looms
Town's 11A team eased ever closer to the 11 Premier League title with a 7-0 hammering of Wicklow Rovers A at Whitegates earlier tonight.  Goals from Calem Devereux (3), Darragh Fitzgerald, Liam Scales (2) and Ross Hanley.  No match report.

May 2 Good performance, poor result!
Having lost to Town's 11A team on Wednesday evening, the 11B's needed nothing less than three points from today's trip to Greystones United A if to maintain any hope of grabbing a runners up spot in the 11 Premier Division this season.  Though Town did indeed play very well, with some neat passing throughout the game, they were second best to a good Greystones side today.  The home team's off ball movement proved key, with Town players not as alert as their opponents.  Town were a little unlucky to find themselves falling two behind right on half time having more than matched Greystones in the opening 25 minutes.  An unlucky own goal from Cal Kelly sealed Town's fate midway in the second half, and heads dropped, a further two goals unnecessarily conceded.  However, credit to Cal for a brilliant individual goal as he waltzed past a number of Greystones tackles, into the area and sliding underneath the home keeper for what amounted on the day as nothing more than a consolation goal.  Back at the Leisure Centre, a brace from Caleb Briggs-Wolohan earned the points for Town's C team against St. Anthony's.  No match report received.

Apr 28 A's edge closer to league title with late show against the B's
A cracking contest between Town's A and B teams at the Leisure Centre earlier tonight.  The A's, in pole position and primed for another 100% win record, duly made it eight wins from eight league outings.  But not without being tested, and frustrated, in equal measure.  The opening half proved to be a tight affair with plenty of competition for possession across the pitch.  The A team probed down both flanks without their usual success, the B's defending superbly well, notably Zach Kilbride at left back, an immense performance all game.  It was the B team who had the best chance to lead at half time, a long range free kick from midfielder Cameron Walker beat keeper Cathal Kelleher, rebounding off the post and back across the six yard area.  Peter Tyrrell was perfectly placed to tap the ball home to give the B team the lead but keeper Kelleher scrambled superbly well to make an excellent save.  To be expected, the A team enjoyed a lot of possession in the second half but were continually thwarted by good defending, or when called upon B team keeper Eoin Kavanagh showed good awareness and a fine pair of hands.  Late in the game, the A team made the vital breakthrough.  A thunderous Mikey Quigley shot brought out an excellent reactionary save from Kavanagh in the B team goal.  However, unfortunately for the B's, striker Ross Hanley was quickest to react and he pushed the ball home to break the deadlock.  The B's reaction was good, winning a corner kick in the last minute and twice they went close, a glancing header from Cameron Walker being cleared and Adam Harvey did well to find Alex Tyrrell with the breaking ball, Tyrrell then firing low and hard across the six yard area, with sub keeper Gary Fennell clearing.  In the closing seconds the result was put to bed with an unfortunate own goal being conceded by the B's.  However, in summary, an excellent contest between the sides resulting in the A team moving closer to a league title.  The B's on the other hand will now need to beat Greystones United A home and away if to entertain any notion of finishing runners up.

Images from tonight's game:

Apr 25 Under strength D's bow to Pat's
Another gallant effort today from the 11D's in their Division 2 Cup quarter final meeting with St. Patrick's A at the Leisure Centre.  Once again short of players the D team applied themselves as best as possible to the task in hand and credit is due for their display.  However, two well taken goals from the Avoca side eased them into the semi final at Town's expense.  Town's C team travelled to Glencormac for a league fixture with the Kilmacanogue based team only to find no referee present.  Equally frustrating, the 11A team were given a walkover from Avonmore A in their scheduled Premier Division Cup quarter final.  The 11B team again had no fixture.

Apr 18 Semi disappointment for C's and D's
Double disappointment today with both 11C's and 11D's falling at the semi final stage of the Division 1 Shield and Division 2 Plate respectively.  The 11C's had been leading 1-0 against Enniskerry B thanks to a Tom Hurley strike.  A late late goal, conceded in injury time, brought the tie into extra time and the Ballyman Road club went on to score two further goals.  Town's 11D's were under strength in facing Aughrim Rangers but still gave a mighty account of themselves and though Aughrim netted the only goal of the game, a spirited performance from the team ensured that Aughrim had to fight hard to hold their slender advantage.  Town's 11A's were also in Shield action, facing Wolfe Tone A in the Premier Division Shield semi final.  As expected Town were far too strong for the Bray side and they ran up a double digit scoreline for the second game running, with Ross Hanley's five goal haul the highlight.  Other goals came from Morgan Harris, Conor Dodd, Conor Byrne, Thomas Rowan and Darragh Fitzgerald.

Apr 15 Facile win for Town A's
Town's A team eased into pole position at the top of the League this evening with a facile win away at Avonmore A.  Town's ten goals were scored by Morgan Harris, Conor Byrne (2), Ross Hanley (2), Mikey Quigley, Darragh Fitzgerald, Liam Scales, Stewart Mills and Conor Dodd.

Apr 11 Town "not at the races"
Bad timing from a Town perspective for the 11B's to put on their worst display of the season thus far, spurning a glorious opportunity to edge ahead of Greystones United A and into second place behind Town's own 11A team in the Premier Division.  A hot sunny day in Ballywaltrim, Town were slow to get going and in truth Ardmore looked the hungrier side by far, winning most of the battles across the park.  Added to that a performance by the man in the middle that served only to add to Arklow frustratrions on the day!  A close enough first half, Town fell behind to yet another goal conceded from a corner kick, failing to clear.  Cameron Walker and Cal Kelly went close with headed efforts from Town crosses, both unlucky not to find the net.  However, no qualms with the result as Town were a definite second best on the day.  Plenty of room for improvement.  Best for Town were Amy Guilfoyle on the left and a versatile Joe Cummiskey.

Mar 28 Town sides in cup action
Three Town sides were in Premier Cup action this morning, with the 11C's playing host to Avonmore A at the Leisure Centre and Town's 11A and 11B sides meeting each other (again!) at the Community College.  The game at the Community College proved to be a highly entertaining affair.  Liam Scales opened the scoring for the A team in just the fifth minute, heading home unchallenged in the six yard area.  Ross Hanley mirrored Scales' opener five minutes later with another headed goal uncontested in the B team area.  The B's then came into the game trying to work their way back into the tie.  Cullan Walsh up front for the B's was linking up well with midfield and from one sweeping move Amy Guilfoyle was released clean through, from a Walsh flick, before being upended, the referee left with no other choice than to point to the penalty spot, giving the B team some hope with half time looming.  Unfortunately for the B's A team keeper Cathal Kelleher made a superb save, diving to his left to deny the B's.  Kelleher was excellent throughout the game.  To rub salt into the wound there was still time for Liam Scales to waltz past four B players unchallenged, into the penalty area to fire home a third goal for the A's before half time.  Credit though to the B team for continuing their workrate in the second half, refusing to give up despite the concession of further goals from Ross Hanley, Calem Devereux and Darragh Fitzgerald.  The back four were all superb with both full backs Nathan Feeney and Zach Kilbride showing great composure.  Stand in keeper Jake Byrne also did very well, taking regular keeper Eoin Kavanagh's gloves just five minutes before kick off after the keeper was deemed unable to start, due to sickness.  Cameron Walker was a pivotal player in midfield, his energy and drive a pleasing sight.  Late in the game the B's finally earned small reward for their efforts with a good move out wide right seeing the sprightly Andrew Cash fending off the challenge from A team defenders before firing home beyond Kelleher.  Result?  Everyone happy!  Best of luck to the A's in the next round where they will now face Avonmore. 

Avonmore, having been heavily beaten by the A's just last weekend, proved just a little too strong for a gallant Town C team at the Leisure Centre, winning 7-4 on the day.  Town's goalscorers were Gerard Hackett (2) and Pádraic O'Connor (2).

Images from today's game at the Community College

Mar 21 11B's complete double over Rovers
As good a display as they have put in all season resulted in Town's 11B team recording a highly satisfying league double over Wicklow Rovers A with a thoroughly deserved win at Whitegates earlier today.  After last week's poor showing against Avonmore every Town player was determined to rectify matters and they all knew that the trip to Wicklow would prove a tough assignment with the home team keen to make amends for their 3-2 defeat in Lamberton earlier this season.  The game opened brightly for both teams, with the home team enjoying slightly more possession.  Town though were passing the ball about well but with Rovers working very hard were limited to sporadic attacks on the Rovers goal.  Town's starting back four of Nathan Feeney, Daniel Boyle, Tom Delahunt and Zach Kilbride were nothing short of superb in the opening half, continually catching their opponents offside:  a tactic that was worked to great effect all game, frustrating the opposition and their management.  However, chances being few and far between in a tight contest the crucial opening goal went against Town - cruelly so with half time imminent.  Debatable whether the Rovers attacker was onside or not, he was clean through and he slotted under the advancing Town keeper Eoin Kavanagh to give the home side a 1-0 lead at the half time break.  Town opted to utilise all four subs at half time, with Peter Tyrrell, Alex Tyrrell, Joe Cummiskey and Andrew Cash replacing Tom Delahunt, Jake Byrne, Cullan Walsh and the injured Adam Harvey.  Delahunt had been a major doubt pre-game, suffering from sickness, but his determination to play was richly rewarded as he, within a tight back four, was a rock in the first half.  His replacement in the second half, Joe Cummiskey, was to prove equally as influential on the day.  Walsh, Byrne and Harvey had also enjoyed bright opening halves, all contributing to a solid 30 minutes despite the 1-0 scoreline at half time.  Town levelled early in the second half, a telling corner kick from Alex Tyrrell found Cameron Walker on the right edge of the area and he cleverly steered home beyond the keeper and two defenders on the line.  It was Walker six minutes later who put Town ahead with a moment of sheer magic.  A sweeping move out wide left, beginning at the back with keeper Kavanagh rolling a ball out to the ever dependable Zach Kilbride and he found Amy Guilfoyle in space on the left wing.  Guilfoyle, who had put in an unmerciful amount of work all game, beat one defender before cutting inside and drilling a ball across to Alex Tyrrell on the right edge of the Wicklow area.  Tyrrell was well shepherded by the Rovers' defence but he still managed to push the ball into the path of an incoming Cameron Walker and he drove home from the edge of the area with a precise drive, leaving the keeper beaten all ends up.  As good a goal as we may see all season, from the initial rolling out from the keeper to the execution.  Town then grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and Alex Tyrrell deservedly added a third for Town with a shot from distance that eluded not only the Wicklow Rovers keeper but all on the sideline also, a delayed spontaneous reaction to his long distance strike only after all realised he had hit the back of the net from afar!  Despite the three excellent goals scored it would be wrong not to highlight just how well Town defended today.  As already mentioned the back four were superb throughout, with Joe Cummiskey slotting in alongside Daniel Boyle in the second half.  Boyle has been nothing short of superb in recent weeks and it is an absolute pleasure to see his confidence growing with each measured performance.  Eoin Kavanagh behind them was hardly troubled throughout the second half though when tested he pulled off a dramatic save to deny Rovers a way back into the game.  Andrew Cash's tireless running and Cal Kelly's work rate are both deserving of mention in what was a telling team performance from the B team.  True, they will come to regret the shocking result from last weekend at Avonmore but a double league success over Wicklow Rovers, and in particular their A team, always sits well - a fine team performance by all concerned.

Mar 21 Solid Town hit five
A very good three points today for an under strength 11C team, travelling to Bray to face Wolfe Tone B at Ballywaltrim and recording a comfortable 5-0 win.  Town largely dominated the opening half, strong at the back and passing the ball well across midfield.  Despite their possession Town by and large were spurning good chances for goals.  Pádraic O'Connor did manage to find the back of the net on the quarter hour mark but that remained Town's solitary goal in the first half.  Substitute Gerard Hackett changed all that when coming on at half time as the away side stepped up the tempo of their game and he bagged a second half hat trick, with O'Connor also getting his second of the game and Town's fifth to wrap up a satisfying league win.

Mar 20 Too easy for 11A's
After easing into the semi finals of this season's Shield competition it was back to league action today for Town's 11A team, welcoming Avonmore A to the Leisure Centre.  Calem Devereux opened the scoring with a shot from outside the area.  Liam Scales then went close but his shot was well saved by the Avonmore keeper.  The ball however fell kindly to Ross Hanley and he slotted home a second goal for Town, the first of his three on the day.  Scales did manage to find the net just moments later, receiving a great through ball from Thomas Rowan.  Morgan Harris was next on the scoresheet with a fine effort.  Stewart Mills then found Conor Dodd with a good cross and Dodd headed home the first of his three goals.  Mills got in on the scoring act himself after a fine run, rounding the keeper and firing into the empty net.  Jack Somers then smashed one home from outside the area to seal an emphatic win for the home side.

Elsewhere, the 11D team travelled to Roundwood short in numbers and though giving their all oncemore they ended up well beaten by the Roundwood A team.

Mar 14 11B's hit the self destruct button!
If ever there was a game of two halves then this was it.  Town's 11B's travelled to Avonmore A today determined to earn three invaluable league points to maintain their own push towards the higher placings in the Premier Division.  Thirteen minutes into the game, all was going swimmingly well with Town three goals to the good and playing, at times, some nice football.  Alex Tyrrell drove home a free kick from outside the area to give Town the lead.  Cameron Walker then bravely put his head in where you can get hurt to double Arklow's lead, a whipped in cross from the left wing from Jake Byrne causing problems for the home team.  The move of the game, out wide left, involving Zack Kilbride and Jake Byrne saw Byrne oncemore fire in a dangerous ball and again Cameron Walker did brilliantly well to get a head to the ball to direct home from close range.  Byrne was then taken down in the area and he himself took the penalty, a weak effort straight at the keeper.  At this point, no one would have given Avonmore a cat in hell's chance of finding a way back into the game.  Furthermore, they were given a penalty with half time looming but were denied by an excellent stop from Town keeper Eoin Kavanagh, pushing the ball wide of his right post.  Whatever happened at half time (jelly tots are now off limits!) Town restarted in reverse gear, conceding three goals inside the opening ten minutes.  Avonmore by now were really up for the challenge and fought for every ball while Arklow players went missing.  Second to every ball?  No, Arklow players were third.  This problem remains the achilles heel for the team.  When Avonmore scored a fourth the sense of disbelief was very real.  But in truth the home team by then deserved their good fortune and it needs to be a hard lesson learnt for Town.  One late chance, one of very few created in a very poor second half, saw Joe Cummiskey fire in from the right with Jake Byrne agonisingly putting his header just inches the wrong side of the post.  On a positive note, Zack Kilbride and Cameron Walker were probably the pick of Town's players.  All in all, a bad day at the office and no excuses!

Mar 13 Town prevail in seven goal thriller
Plenty of action at the Leisure Centre today with Town's 11C team edging their way past Glencormac A on a 4-3 scoreline.  The visitors grabbed an early lead in just the second minute but that was cancelled out by Gerard Hackett's fifth minute leveller.  The game swung back Glencormac's way with a goal on the quarter hour mark.  However, their lead did not last to that long as Tom Hurley went on a mazy run, beating a number of Glencormac players before smashing home from outside the area.  A cracking goal.  Hurley then gave Town the lead for the first time with a strike early into the second half.  Town then doubled their lead with Pádraic O'Connor firing home a fourth goal.  Town then spurned a number of good chances to further extend their lead and with Glencormac pulling one back with just six minutes remaining the closing stages were keenly contested, Town holding firm to claim the points.  The management would like to thank the presence of three 10A players who made themselves available today as the 11C team were missing a few players.

Mar 6 Mixed bag for C's and D's
Frustration for both 11C's and 11D's today, both teams in Shield action.  The 11C's travelled the short distance to Old Dublin Road to face Arklow United having already qualified for the semi final stage of the competition.  United were in need of a win to keep their own Shield ambitions on track.  Town started superbly well with Brandon Hogan firing home in just the fifth minute.  Ciarán Winters doubled Town's lead in the tenth minute but it was all downhill from there on, as a litany of errors allowed the home team back into the tie, coming from two down to win 3-2.

At the Leisure Centre, the 11D's were desperately unlucky not to take all three points in an entertaining clash with Greystones United C.  A win would have placed Town in joint pole position alongside Enniskerry A in the group and Ross Coady gave Town hope with an excellent goal.  Greystones levelled though and honours remained even at the full time whistle leaving the group magnificently poised, with all four teams - with two games remaining each - battling for Shield semi final places.

Feb 28 Town book semi final Shield place in style
After two 4-2 reverses against today's opponents Greystones United B in both League and Shield away fixtures, Town's 11C's today welcomed the opportunity to turn the tables with the sides meeting at the Leisure Centre.  Both teams have made excellent starts to their respective Shield campaigns and with a win today Town's C team knew they were guaranteed a place in the semi finals.  That they achieved with a comprehensive performance firing home four goals without reply.  Town's four goals came from Ros McBride, Caleb Briggs-Wolohan, Tom Hurley and Pádraic O'Connor.  Most pleasing though was the team performance, the defence once again unbreached.  Stephen Cullen and Jack Donnelly excelled in full back positions while at the heart of the defence both Kyle O'Connor and Michael O'Sullivan stood tall denying and frustrating the visitors.  In front of them Gerard Kavanagh, playing in a position he thoroughly enjoyed, patrolled and defended with ease.  Buoyed by the wall behind them Town's midfield were to enjoy their best day.  Ross McBride, Brandon Hogan and Pádraic O'Connor played their best football of the season to date and they continually worked hard to create openings for front duo Tom Hurley and Gerard Hackett.  Indeed, the front pairing proved to be a real thorn in Greystones' side all game.  Ros McBride opened the scoring in the tenth minute with a well taken goal.  Tom Hurley doubled Arklow's advantage before the break, as the home team began to dominate.  Caleb Briggs-Wolohan replaced Tom Hurley for the second half, with Conor Ahearne also coming on, for Michael O'Sullivan at the heart of the defence.  Ten minutes into the half Town went three up, with Briggs-Wolohan firing home a cracker of a goal.  Ciarán Winters came on for Jack Donnelly and not long after Pádraic O'Connor slotted home a fourth goal to seal victory.  Hard to pick a man of the match after a complete team performance, with all the players deservedly earning the plaudits.  Well done team!

The latest meeting of Town's 11A and 11B teams ended in a 9-0 victory for the A's.  No match report.

Feb 27 Lady Luck deserts D team after spirited performance
With undoubtedly their finest performance of the season thus far, the 11D team were to be cruelly denied at least a share of the spoils after a spirited performance saw them edged out 2-1 at the Leisure Centre against Roundwood A earlier today.  Short on numbers and forced to recruit three players from the 10B team, the home side applied themselves superbly to the task in hand.  Aidan Lyons, one of the recruits from the 10B's gave Town a lead midway through the opening half.   Arklow, in truth, should have and could have extended their lead, with a succession of good moves resulting in chances being spurned.  At the other end, keeper David Thomas excelled in goal and was unlucky not to prevent the visitors from levelling.  Football, they say, can be a cruel game at times, and late in the game the visitors stole all three points with a deflected effort that nestled in the back of Town's net.  However, credit where credit is due, and to dwell on a positive, this was by far Arklow's best performance of the season and gives confidence for the games ahead.  The management would sincerely like to thank the three 10B players who acquitted themselves fantastically today into the team - David Thomas, James Shannon and goalscorer on the day, Aidan Lyons.

Feb 21 Town stay on top with away win
Another good performance today from Town's 11C team, arriving in Ballywaltrim with just 13 available players.  Town were forced to start with central defender Gerard Kavanagh in goal and he performed his 'emergency' role admirably.  Town edged ahead in the 7th minute with a strike from Caleb Briggs Wolohan.  The home team cancelled that out just five minutes later.  Town's response was positive.  Ben Makin was restored between the posts with Kavanagh reverting back to his more familiar central role and for the remainder of the half it was the Arklow side who dominated, creating a number of good chances but with no further goals it was 1-1 at the break.  Town retook the lead when Gerard Hackett was felled in the area, Stephen Cullen stepping up to slot home from the penalty spot.  Hackett, a half time substitute, was to prove highly influential on the game, hitting the woodwork three times before netting twice himself, to give the team a comfortable 4-1 advantage.  Pádraic O'Connor, enjoying a good run of scoring of late, added a fifth late in the game to ensure Town maintain a slender advantage at the top of the Division 1 Group B Shield table.

Feb 20 Dreadful first half seals B's Shield fate
A first half to forget at Woodlands earlier today against Greystones United A saw Town's B team's Shield ambitions ended.  Poor defending allowed the home team to streak into a 3-0 lead before the quarter hour mark.  Town then had their noses rubbed in it when a shot from distance came crashing off the bar and away to safety but the referee deemed it to have crossed the line.  4-0.  One of those halves to forget.  To compound matters, a fifth goal only served to add insult to injury.  Town were vastly improved in the second half and though the home team were comfortable in the knowledge they'd secured the points they continued to work for further openings.  Town though fought much harder and Andrew Cash should really have netted with the goal at his mercy.  'Stones added a sixth goal to confirm their supremacy but with a much improved second half from the team there was a smidgeon of positivity to dwell upon on an otherwise poor day at the office.

Feb 14 Town C's earn the bragging rights in local derby win
Back to winning ways for the 11C's with a great all round performance to comfortably defeat Arklow United A at the Leisure Centre earlier today.  Each and every player from number 1 to 14 played their part.  In goal Ben Makin hardly putting a foot wrong.  The two full backs, Jack Donnelly and Stephen Cullen, remained composed throughout while central defenders Kyle O'Connor and Gerard Kavanagh were quite simply outstanding in defence.  Ciarán Winters marshalled the area in front of Town's defence superbly all game and was full of running.  Midfielders Gerard Hackett,  Brandon Hogan and Pádraic O'Connor chased down everything, denying United any real openings.  Up front Caleb Briggs-Wolohan and Philip Molloy were ready to pounce on any ball that came their way.  In the fifth minute Philip Molloy latched on to a loose ball that broke in the penalty box and slotted home the opener.  Town were unlucky not to go in further ahead before half time though United rallied with the whistle approaching.  Ros McBride came on at half time for Philip Molloy and Conor Ahearne replaced Ciarán Winters.  Town restarted the game sluggishly, sitting back and allowing United to dictate matters, but with Town's defence in excellent form there was no way through for the visitors.  The defence absorbed all the pressure and cleared their line brilliantly.  From one of Town's rare breaks in the second half Caleb Briggs-Wolohan was on hand to crack home a second goal to afford Town breathing space.  Then with just seven minutes remaining came what had to be the move of the match Pádraic O'Connor won a ball just inside the Town half,  headed off down field with some lovely inter-passing between himself and Briggs-Wolohan beforeCaleb flicked a ball into the box and who else but Pádraic was there to smash home a third for Town.   Michael O'Sullivan replaced Kyle O'Connor with seven minutes to go and slotted in brilliantly as Town secured an emphatic win to remain on top of the Shield group.

Feb 13 Hard lessons to be learnt for B team
A calamitous ten minute period in the second half for the 11B's ended what up to that point had been a well contested affair against the 11A's on a sticky pitch at the Leisure Centre earlier today.  Both sides had played just one Shield fixture before today's meeting - with the A's defeating Greystones United A 5-0 and the B's losing 1-4 to the same opposition.  The B team were determined to atone for that reversal to keep Shield hopes alive but in facing a team that is unbeaten in WDSL action since April 2008 their task was, to state the obvious, a pretty tough one.  Straight from the off it proved to be a highly competitive affair with both sides finding it hard to create clear cut openings.  The A team looked likelier to score, largely due to the B team's penchant for defending far too high upfield - a definite achilles heel in their play.  Peter Tyrrell and Amy Guilfoyle put in trojan efforts in midfield as did Cal Kelly, given the task of marshalling Mikey Quigley.  Daniel Boyle, once again, was superb at the back with a series of timely challenges averting danger.  The B team finished the first half strongly with a number of counter attacks yielding corner kicks and from one set piece they went close with an effort not too high over the bar.  Scoreless at half time, the wheels came off in dramatic fashion ten minutes into the second half when Jack Darcy was on hand at the back post to tap home for the A's.  B team captain Tom Delahunt, injured in the first half, was unable to play any further role in the game.  The B team's effort up to this point was undone with far too many heads dropping, making life easier for the A team, who went on to rattle home six goals unanswered.  That aligned with playing far too high up the pitch undid the previous good work for the B's.  However, to end on a positive, the B's showed a great spirit and endeavour in the first half to suggest that with a little tinkering there won't be too many under ll teams in the county better than them.  Now, there's your challenge B team!

Elsewhere, an excellent win for Town's 11D team, 7-4 winners away at Greystones United C.  Clive Keenan, drafted in from the under ten ranks, smashed home four goals to ease Town to victory.  Ross Coady grabbed two well taken goals for himself while Town's seventh came courtesy of the hard working Sean Saunders.

Jan 30 No pain no gain for B team
A very harsh look at the final score, 4-1 in favour of the visiting Greystones United A side, paints a slightly cruel picture of the 11B team performance as they had chased a leveller against their opponents right till the last minute when two goals in injury time only served to add insult to injury.  Having said that, the very same 11B's have twice enjoyed 4-1 victories in the last month or two (against Wolfe Tone A) when neither victory reflected truly a 4-1 scoreline!  Town started slowly, second to the ball and showed none of the desire on view from a 'Stones side that was eager to dictate matters.  Town's defence was continuously under pressure though with Greystones doing so much pressing that afforded Town a series of counter breaks that on another day may have yielded some success.  Today was not to be their day though.  The crucial opening goal came midway through the half, cloaked in controversy with not one but two Greystones players yards offside.  The 'Stones attacker duly converted to put the visitors ahead and in truth it was no less than they deserved, as Town were lethargic and appeared rusty after a lengthy lay off from competitive games.  The home team were dealt a blow at half time with injury curtailing captain Tom Delahunt's presence at the heart of defence.  In his absence fellow centre half Daniel Boyle was to truly rise to the occasion with a wonderful individual performance throughout the second half.  Jake Byrne replaced Cameron Walker and Zack Kilbride stepped in for injured Delahunt.  Town were much brighter from the restart but were cruelly caught with a second goal conceded after a loss of focus out wide right of defence.  Valiantly Town pushed for a way back into the game, opting for three at the back and a combination of Kilbride and Byrne on the left wing saw Byrne smash home a great goal leaving the Greystones keeper with no chance.  Alex Tyrrell almost levelled with six minutes remaining, a free kick on the left edge of the 'Stones area was well hit and also well saved.  That was as close as Town were to get as 'Stones threatened to score on more than one occasion, each and every time the bravery and drive of defender Daniel Boyle averted danger.  However, in cruel fashion, with 'Stones enjoying possession in Town's area as the game entered injury time they sealed the game after a scrap in the six yard area ended being scrambled home.  To rub further salt into the wound they scored again straight from the kick off.  The B team have much to learn and need to show greater mental strength in the weeks ahead.

Jan 30 Shield campaign off to a flier!
It was good to be back playing games for the 11C's after an unwelcome lengthy absent from games spell of weeks that just ran into weeks, and then another week; you get the picture!  It's fair to say that the length of time without regular match time showed with the team not fully focused, failing at times to spread out and play it wide as they welcomed Wolfe Tone B to the Leisure Centre earlier today.  In goal Ben Makin played brilliantly.  Jack Donnelly was again very solid in defence.  Stephen Cullen gave a man of the match performance both in defence and attack culminating in him scoring two brilliant goals.  Central defenders Gerard Kavanagh and Kyle O'Connor didn't put a foot wrong.  In the middle of the field Town were full of running with Brandon Hogan, Michael O'Sullivan, Gerard Hackett and Ciarán Winters never stopped trying.  Up front Tom Hurley and Ross McBride were trying but just could not make the breakthrough.  Just before half time Caleb Briggs-Wolohan came on for Ross McBride and the Wolfe Tone defence was breached more often.  Philip Molloy replaced Michael O'Sullivan at half time and things really started to open up.  Plenty of ball was sprayed forward and indeed Gerard Hackett pounced three times to earn himself a hat trick.  Pádraic O'Connor came on for Tom Hurley and  was unlucky not to have ended up on the score sheet himself.

Jan 24 Gallant Town give their best
A tough assignment for Town's 11D side away at Enniskerry A in Ballyman Road earlier today, short in numbers and facing a stronger Enniskerry A.  A recurring theme this season with the team requiring new players the players and management have done their very best to ensure a team takes to the field and indeed the situation remained as ever with the trip to Enniskerry.  Conor Kenny netted an excellent goal for the team and hopefully in the coming weeks we will see some new players coming into the squad to help those who are giving it their best shot.  The team is seeking players born in 1998, eligible to play WDSL football this season.  Contact the club via the website if keen to join the team.

Jan 16 Five star performance from Town
Arklow Town U11A opened their WDSL Shield campaign with a convincing 5-0 win at Greystones United A in Woodlands earlier today.  The visitors dictated matters right from the off, probing for openings, notably down the flanks.  After making a surging run through the middle of the Greystones defence in the seventh minute midfielder Conor Byrne spurned Arklow's first scoring opportunity with a weak shot straight at the home keeper.  Town went closer in the tenth minute, Thomas Rowan finding Conor Dodd out wide right and Dodd in beating his marker fired across the six yard area finding Mikey Quigley who drew an excellent save from the 'Stones keeper.  Two minutes later Town were ahead.  Again, good work down the right wing from Dodd earning the visitors a corner kick and from the setpiece the ball was only half cleared, to the waiting Jack Somers on the edge of the Greystones penalty area and he smashed home an excellent strike.  Town doubled their lead ten six minutes before half time with a similar finish from defender Thomas Rowan showing great awareness and control on the edge of the area before firing home.  Greystones tried to find a way back in the early stages of the second half and a good scoring opportunity was denied when Town defender Jack Somers made a timely intervention.  The game as a contest was ended midway through the half when Liam Scales got on the end of a Quigley cross to acrobatically volley home from close range.  Ross Hanley went close with a well worked effort to adding to Town's tally and their fourth goal came with just ten minutes remaining with defender Tom Maher heading home.  Substitute Calem Devereux completed the scoring with a fine finish from close range just before full time.

Images from today's game:

Dec 19 Depleted Town show heart to go joint top
With six players absent through sickness Town's depleted 11B team travelled to Bray with the team picking itself, for obvious reasons.  Three players were drafted in from the Under 10 ranks to at least afford the 11B's options in what proved to be a very testing game against a determined Wolfe Tone A side.  Perhaps understandably Town looked sluggish in the opening exchanges with numerous positional changes necessary.  The home team were quite the opposite, first to the ball and looking hungrier for the challenge on what was a very cold day in Ballywaltrim.  The home side almost took the lead in the fifth minute but Town keeper Eoin Kavanagh denied Wolfe Tone with a fabulous two handed save, somehow pushing the ball beyond the post for a corner.  Town then switched on and began to hit down either flank with Jake Byrne out wide left and Alex Tyrrell and Nathan Feeney combining on the right wing.  From one quick Town counter attack Clive Keenan fired the visitors into the lead with a calm, measured strike.  Keenan was unlucky not to double Arklow's lead minutes later with a strike that hit the post and went agonisingly across the six yard box before being cleared.  Wolfe Tone began to gain the upper hand in the latter stages of the half and duly levelled with a fantastic diving bullet header from a right wing cross.  Alex Tyrrell went close with an effort from the right edge of the home area, his shot narrowly going wide of the far post with Andrew Cash close to getting on the end to convert.  Wolfe Tone almost took the lead minutes before the break but again Kavanagh in the Town goal stood firm to make an excellent block on a certain goal.  From the resulting corner kick he was again perfectly placed to deny another certain goal, saving well on his goal line.  In truth the half time break came at a good time for the Town side with the home team firmly in the ascendency.  Ryan O'Donovan and Eoin Cullen were introduced for the second half and like their team mate Clive Keenan they acquitted themselves superbly in the eleven a side game.  Both teams opened liked two boxers slugging it out, counter attack being met with counter attack.  Both keepers remained very busy and the game was very finely balanced when Clive Keenan was tripped in the box, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot.  Alex Tyrrell showed great composure to coolly slot home underneath the keeper who guessed correctly where Tyrrell would shoot.  Wolfe Tone threw everything at Town but the back four for Town proved magnificent.  Cullan Walsh, switched from his central position to a favoured left back slot, showed great strength in curtailing numerous raids from Wolfe Tone down the wing.  Joseph Cummiskey was simply faultless on the day, a terrific performance and a challenge midway through the second half epitomised the team's fantastic spirit.  In central defence captain Tom Delahunt was superb, constantly averting danger with well timed challenges, his reading of the game and sensing of danger quite excellent.  Beside him Eoin Cullen, who had been sick prior to the game, played with great distinction.  In front of the back four Cal Kelly worked like a trojan.  Town grabbed a priceless third goal late in the game when the tireless Peter Tyrrell fired across, from the left wing, and Alex Tyrrell won the race to the ball with the home keeper to net Town's insurance goal.  Nathan Feeney hammered home a delightful fourth goal from the left edge of the area to give the final scoreline a slightly unbalanced look, as this was by no means a comfortable 4-1 win for Town.  However, all things considered, missing key players included, the B team can take immense pride in what they have achieved so far this season.  Perhaps some will now take notice of a very fine Arklow Town B team, playing in the U11 Premier Division alongside the best A teams in the county and more than holding their own.  It is the very least they deserve.

Images from today's game:

Dec 12 Honours even in derby clash
A share of the spoils in this afternoon's local derby between Arklow Town C and Arklow United A at the Leisure Centre.  The match finished 2-2 with Tom Hurley and Gerard Hackett on target for the home team.  No match report.

Dec 12 Plain sailing for Tyrrell boys!
Arklow Town U11B continued their good run of late with a very impressive win over Wicklow Rovers A at Bridgewater Centre Park earlier today to move into joint second place in the Premier Division, three points behind our own A team.  Town opened strongly and the visitors were firmly on the back foot as Town used both flanks to good effect, with Amy Guilfoyle and Adam Harvey operating on left and right wings.  Zack Kilbride spurned a good opportunity to open the scoring for the home side inside the opening five minutes, clean through but a heavy first touch, surprisingly, allowed the keeper to avert the danger.  Minutes later Kilbride and Alex Tyrrell linked up well to create another chance with Tyrrell failing to convert.  Town's back four of Joseph Cummiskey, Daniel Boyle, Tom Delahunt and Peter Tyrrell were quick to react to Wicklow's long ball game, both Cummiskey and Boyle clearing their lines a few times with a degree of composure.  Town's 'engine room', Cal Kelly and Cameron Walker, were quietly dictating matters in midfield, against good opposition and Town continued to probe for an opening.  Deservedly they struck first, albeit somewhat luckily, Alex Tyrrell opened the scoring for the home team with a left footed strike from six yards out having miscontrolled his run into the box.  Town failed to convert a number of chances in the latter stages of the first half, with Cal Kelly closest to extending the Town's lead, his shot hitting the post and somehow crossing along the Wicklow goal line and away.  Andrew Cash replaced Zack Kilbride at half time up front with Junior Aminu replacing the excellent Daniel Boyle at the back, Cummiskey switching to a central position allowing Aminu to operate in his best position at right back.  The home team endured a nightmare ten minutes at the start of the second half, inexplicably switching off (collectively) and allowing Wicklow Rovers in for not one but two easy goals, with Town keeper Eoin Kavanagh helpless to prevent either.  The away team were naturally buoyed by the quick reversal of fortune and Town were reeling.  Peter Tyrrell was pushed into attack with Alex Tyrrell reverting to wide right, and Adam Harvey, a wonderfully versatile player slotting back in at left back.  Town dug deep, none more so than Walker and Kelly in the midfield and soon Town were oncemore pressing for an equaliser.  Jake Byrne replaced Amy Guilfoyle out wide left and he was working very well before injury curtailed his appearance, Byrne forced off with an ankle injury.  Another reshuffle of the deck saw Cullan Walsh becoming Town's third left back in the game, and Harvey pushing up to the left side of midfield.  The leveller for Arklow arrived with just thirteen minutes remaining, an excellent move started by keeper Kavanagh and through Aminu and the central midfield it was Aminu who fired across a good ball for Peter Tyrrell to deftly lob the keeper from the edge of the area.  Self belief renewed it was mainly all attacking play from Town with the occasional reminder from the away side that they possessed more than a threat at the other end if the chance arose - keeper Eoin Kavanagh forced to make one fine save late in the game diving quickly to his right to deny Wicklow adding a third.  Town's winner, towards the latter stages, was rich reward for Peter Tyrrell's tireless contribution throughout the game.  Tyrrell received a ball out of Town's defence out wide right and as Town countered in numbers he made a direct run at the Wicklow defence and arriving just inside the right edge of the area he let fly, his shot sailing high over the Rovers keeper into an empty net to secure a fabulous win for the 11B team.

Nov 28 Four goal Tyrrell seals win for Town
Arklow Town B recorded an impressive 4-1 home victory over a very game Wolfe Tone A earlier today at a sunny BBK.  Without a game over the past seven weeks, the Arklow side started brighter than expected, pressurising the Wolfe Tone rearguard from the off.  Town were winning a lot of possession in central midfield where duo Cameron Walker and Cal Kelly worked tirelessly to gain the upper hand for the home team.  The Arklow side were enjoying a lot of creative play down the right wing, with both Junior Aminu and Adam Harvey combining superbly to create openings for front pairing Alex Tyrrell and Andrew Cash.  However, it was the visitors who were afforded the first opportunity to score when a Bray counter attack resulted in a Wolfe Tone forward being fouled in the area, leaving the referee with no other option than to award a penalty.  Luckily for the home side the spot kick was sent the wrong side of the post.  It was Town's Alex Tyrrell who fired the home team ahead on the quarter hour mark, after fine work from Aminu, strength in defence, and then bursting down the flank, finding Adam Harvey who showed awareness and touch, finding Tyrrell on the right edge of the area, and he smashed home with aplomb to give the Arklow side a deserved lead.  It was Tyrrell again five minutes later doubling Arklow's advantage, running onto a delightful through ball to fire Town further ahead.  The Bray side rallied and took maximum advantage from a bad mistake in Town's defence to half the deficit.  Though Town largely dictated matters in the second half the game remained keenly balanced with chances at either end.  Frustratingly for the home team, their fine play was hindered with numerous players carelessly being caught offside, wasting excellent scoring opportunities.  At the other end Town keeper Eoin Kavanagh was called upon to bravely save at the feet of a Wolfe Tone forward who was primed to level matters.  Arklow restored their two goal advantage when Alex Tyrrell fired home a direct free kick from outside the Bray area.  A composed Nathan Feeney then showed great vision when playing the most sublime of passes to put Tyrrell clear to net a fourth goal for the home team, securing a deserved three points for the Arklow side.

Images from today's game:

Oct 24 Late double sinks Town C's
A valiant effort from Town's 11C's ended in defeat earlier today at a sunny if fresh Woodlands as Greystones United B prevailed against a gallant Town C, 4-2 the final scoreline in their favour.  Greystones striker Luke Campion served notice of his intentions as early as the fourth minute, striding clean through Town's defence only to be denied by a fine save from Town keeper Ben Makin.  Town's first effort on goal saw defender Kyle O'Connor drive from the edge of the area, and with Gerard Hackett alive to the second ball the home keeper did well to deny Town.  Jack Donnelly showed some lovely composure at right back, averting danger on a number of occasions in the first quarter hour.  Greystones came very close to opening the scoring when a drive down their right flank saw a good ball played across Town's six yard area, with no one making contact.  Two minutes later Michael O'Sullivan was well placed to deny Greystones with a good clearance.  Brandon Hogan fired wide ten minutes before half time after a good move from the away side.  Midfielder Gerard Hackett should have put Town ahead a moment later when bursting through the Greystones rearguard but his shot on goal was too weak.  Town were to pay for that miss within sixty seconds, with another move straight through Town's backline, despite the best effort of keeper Ben Makin the home side went one up, with half time looming.  However, there was still time for Town to level matters before the break, Hackett atoning for his previous miss with a cool finish.  Town began the second half brightly with Kyle O'Connor, advancing out of defence playing a superb slide ball through the home defence, for Caleb Briggs-Wolohan to run on to.  He slotted past the advancing keeper but a defender was on hand to clear off the line, much to Arklow's frustration.  Town edged ahead, again a fine move from defence out, with Michael O'Sullivan winning possession and then finding half time substitute Ros McBride.  McBride, who proved very effective and influential in the second half, played a wonderful ball through to Padraic O'Connor and O'Connor fired home past the keeper to give Town a deserved lead.  Within minutes though the teams were level, again a defensive lapse allowing Greystones in for an easy goal.  Into the last ten minutes Town were oncemore guilty of allowing the home team the freedom of the penalty area and 'Stones gladly netted to go 3-2 up.  With just five minutes remaining Town were given a chance to equalise when a defender handled in the area, giving Town a penalty.  Unfortunately for the visitors Padraic O'Connor dragged his spot kick agonisingly wide.  Town felt hard done by  two minutes later when Ros McBride appeared to be fouled when playing through another delightful ball for Caleb Briggs-Wolohan to net.  What appeared to be a case of advantage not being played was deemed as offside by the ref and instead of levelling matters Town were frustrated when seeing 'Stones going straight upfield and finding a fourth goal to seal victory.

Oct 18 Superb Town left to rue missed chances
A hard defeat to take for Town's 11B team earlier today at Park Celtic A, in Cabinteely Park, the last of our U11 teams to exit the SFAI Menton Seery National Cup.  From one to sixteen, all players gave their all and a thorough team performance deserved a greater reward than a cruel 1-0 reverse.  However, such is football that in a world of black and white, if you fail to convert your chances you run the risk of paying the penalty, precisely what happened with the 11B's.  Ironically so, Park Celtic's winning goal came directly from one of Town's many missed opportunities to open the scoring, going straight downfield and despite the best efforts of captain Tom Delahunt, Zach Kilbride and keeper Eoin Kavanagh, the ball fell kindly to a Park Celtic attacker and he availed of a little fortune before finding the corner of the net to break Arklow hearts.  Prior to that it had been mainly the away side dominating proceedings, with the home team always a threat on the counter attack, keen to play a long ball game over Arklow's back line.  Despite their dominance Town only really had one obvious chance in the opening half, where Peter Tyrrell did extremely well to steer an Alex Tyrrell corner goalwards, his bullet head was well saved by the home keeper.  The second half was akin to The Alamo, with Town pressing constantly for that precious opening goal.  Alex Tyrrell, always a goal threat, had one of those days in front of goal - just not to be his day.  Nathan Feeney went agonisingly close with a well struck effort that forced the Park Celtic keeper into a fine save.  Andrew Cash thought he had scored but his effort went narrowly wide.  Town threw the proverbial kitchen sink and even in stoppage time had two chances, both from the edge of the area, efforts from both Adam Harvey and then Alex Tyrrell, each oh so close to granting Town a National Cup lifeline.  However, cruel as it was, it wasn't to be Town's day, yet the team should stand tall and though obviously needing to acknowledge that they must convert their chances to score, it was a fabulous performance with at times some great passing football played.

Images from the game:

Back at base, the ever improving 11D's were entertaining Aughrim Rangers A at the Leisure Centre and applying themselves to the task in hand they rattled their opponents by taking a first half lead through birthday boy Sean Saunders.  Conor Kenny went close to doubling Town's lead before Aughrim's greater strength told in the latter stages of the game, firing home three unanswered goals to secure the points.  Still, Town continue to develop and with frequent games over the coming weeks should continue to progress at a steady rate.

Oct 17 Town left numb with National Cup exit
Van Morrison once warbled an immortal line, "nobody told me there'd be days like these...", and today's shock defeat at home to Cabinteely for Town's A team was certainly fit for such a line.  In truth Town never got going, as expected, a rare off day for such a talented team unbeaten since April 2008.  Cabinteely looked determined from the off and served warning inside the opening quarter.  When they took the lead it came as no surprise.  What shook Town however was the concession of a second goal.  Looking lethargic Town almost fell three behind just before half time but Jack Darcy superbly cleared off the line to grant Town a lifeline.  That lifeline was grabbed with an early penalty in the second half, won by Conor Dodd, always eager to attack down the right flank.  Dodd duly converted to give Town genuine hope of restoring parity.  However, in keeping with the performance, Town's hopes were dashed within minutes with Cabinteely firing home a third goal.  Overall, a performance to forget and definitely out of character on a most disappointing day for all concerned.

Equally as disappointing, the 11C's travelled the short distance to Ferndale Park for the first league meeting in Division 1 with neighbours Arklow United.  Town started poorly and gave away two very soft goals and never really recovered, enduring a frustrating hour trying to undo the damage.  Lessons to be learnt as Town's frontline were continuously caught offside.  As ever, there's always the next game!

Oct 10 Tyrrell hat trick earns Town the spoils
A superb effort from the edge of the Avonmore penalty area in the closing minutes secured not only a hat trick for Town's Alex Tyrrell but also three points for the home side in an entertaining encounter at Arklow Community College.  Avonmore A shook the home team inside the opening sixty seconds, cutting through Town's stagnant defence to take an early lead.  However, it served to stir the home team into shape and over the following thirty minutes they at times showed some sublime football, firing home four goals without reply.  Junior Aminu and Alex Tyrrell proved immensely effective on Town's right side, with the industrious Aminu continuously overlapping.  It was Tyrrell who levelled for Town, on the end of a delicious through ball from the impressive Cameron Walker.  Nathan Feeney struck from close range to put Town into a 2-1 lead.  A clever short corner from Tyrrell and defender Jake Byrne lobbed from the edge of the area, Town's third.  Walker got on the scoresheet with half time approaching, a fabulous drive home from just inside the D.  Substitute Zach Kilbride split the Avonmore defence with a superbly weighted effort early in the second half and Nathan Feeney was on hand to nip in and add a fifth for the home team.  Tyrrell netted his second, and Arklow's sixth, as the home side continued to press for goals.  Avonmore, to their credit, continued to seek a way back into the game and their efforts were renewed with three goals in a five minute blitz midway through the half.  Town though regained an upper hand and Jake Byrne eased home fears with another superb goal from outside the area to restore Town's three goal lead.  Late in the game Alex Tyrrell sealed the victory with his third goal of the game, and Arklow's eighth.

Images from the game:

Earlier in the day the U11A team eased to a 5-0 home win over Wicklow Rovers A to preserve their 100% record thus far this season.  Town started slowly, not for the first time, but through Thomas Rowan, enjoying his best game so far they won a corner in the 25th minute.  Conor Dodd whipped in a dangerous cross and the dynamic Liam Scales was perfectly placed to steer home a powerful header.  The game ebbed and flowed with chances created at both ends but with no further goals before half time.  Conor Dodd doubled Town's lead with a wonderful individual effort in the 12th minute of the second half, going almost the length of the pitch before slotting home a second Town goal.  A lovely free flowing move, initiated by Darragh Fitzgerald and finished by Stephen McDonald saw Town go three ahead.  Birthday boy Stewart Mills almost added a fourth, his effort blocked at the near post.  However, Ross Hanley was on hand to nip in and net the rebound.  Town's fifth goal again started at the back with defender Jack Somers finding Thomas Rowan.  Rowan passed to Dodd and he found Ross Hanley who with a delightful back flick released Stephen McDonald inside the Wicklow area and he finished well.  Manager Lar Mahony was unavailable to oversee the team's effort, and all involved with the team wish him a speedy recovery.

The 11C team went down 4-2 at the Leisure Centre to Wicklow Rovers B, guilty of three defensive errors proving costly.  Gerard Hackett, Brandon Hogan and Caleb Briggs Wolohan worked very hard in the middle of the park, with Pádraic O'Connor and Tom Hurley a lively pairing up front.  Indeed, midfielder Hackett put Town into a fourth minute lead with an excellent finish.  However, the wheels came off after that with the visitors netting three times.  Pádraic O'Connor pulled one back before half time but with Town pressing for an equaliser in the second half Rovers countered and found a fourth goal to kill off any hopes of a Town comeback.  Despite battling hard, unforced errors were to prove costly on the day.

Oct 3 Town prove they are the team to beat
Having emphatically completed a treble last season, a pointer towards the honours this season was served at Woodlands earlier today, with the meeting of Greystones United A and Arklow Town A.  The Arklow side has enjoyed the upper hand in previous meetings with Greystones but there is no denying that both are ably equipped outfits and without doubt the two best teams at this age level in the county. Greystones rocked Town with a goal inside three minutes.  However, this is a very composed Arklow team and within ten minutes the sides were level, Stewart Mills finding the flawless Liam Scales with a weighted pass and Scales whipped across a superb ball for the prolific Conor Dodd to head home from six yards out.  Seven minutes before the break, Conor Byrne netted his first of the season with a well worked goal.  Right on half time Arklow's pressure saw the visitors extend their lead, Stewart Mills oncemore involved finding Mikey Quigley, his goalbound shot well saved but rebounding to Ross Hanley, who finished from close range.  Arklow continued to press for further goals in the second half.  Greystones rallied and to their credit they ensured that the closing minutes were on edge, grabbing a second goal to leave them trailing by just one solitary goal in the closing minutes of the contest.  However, a sign of Arklow's discipline, Liam Scales put a final nail in Greystones' ambition with a precision pass finding substitute Calem Devereux, and his finish ensured Town secured the points and an early season position at the top of the division.

Sep 26 Town ease past Arlington
Arklow Town U11A's proved far too strong for the visiting Arlington AFC side, in the first round meeting in this season's SFAI Menton Seery Cup.  The visitors' day got off to a bad start with a delay en route ensuring this game began an hour behind schedule.  The Kildare side's day did not improve any in the opening minutes as Conor Dodd ran at least half the length of the pitch before firing home a super finish to put Town one ahead in the sixth minute.  Just two minutes later, Darragh Fitzgerald doubled the home side's lead with a strike from the edge of the area.  Ross Hanley added a third in the tenth minute and he had completed a hat trick as the game reached the twenty minute mark, to see Town 5-0 up.  Five minutes later Arlington pulled one back, a well taken effort.  Town's defence though - Jack Somers, Tom Maher, Jack Darcy and Stewart Mills - were rarely troubled in a one way traffic opening half.  Conor Byrne replaced Mills at half time and Town increased their lead in the seventh minute, when Liam Scales put Mikey Quigley in the clear and the midfielder hammered home.  Wholesale changes saw Thomas Rowan, Stephen McDonald, Gary Fennell and Calem Devereux all coming on and Town's lead was further increased when an Arlington defender put through his own net.  With three minutes remaining it was Liam Scales who made it 8-1.  Credit oncemore to Arlington for pulling a second consolation goal back in the last minute.  However, Town were not finished scoring yet and Mikey Quigley added a second goal and Town's ninth.  Jack Darcy added his name to the lengthening list with a great individual effort in injury time to emphatically put Town into the second round, where they will entertain Cabinteely.

Sep 26 Town B advance in National Cup
Arklow Town B advanced to the second round of the SFAI U11 Menton Seery Cup after a hard fought but sporting contest with Greystones United B finished 3-1 in favour of the Arklow team.  The home side opened strongly, placing Greystones under heavy pressure from the off, and were in front as early as the second minute after an excellent move led to Alex Tyrrell, operating out on the right wing, whipping in a great ball for striker Nathan Feeney to place home from close range.  The visitors were level in the ninth minute, a fine move down their left flank leading to a clinical finish from forward Luke Campion past Arklow keeper Eoin Kavanagh.  Arklow though remained composed and continued to pass the ball well.  Town midfielders Cal Kelly and Cameron Walker continued to drive the home team forward and with Alex Tyrrell on the right and Amy Guilfoyle working well with Zach Kilbride on the left it was literally one way traffic.  Indeed, it was left back Kilbride who played a wonderful defence splitting through ball for Cal Kelly to run onto and smash home from the edge of the area past the advancing 'Stones keeper, to restore the home side's lead eight minutes before half time.  Jake Byrne replaced Guilfoyle early in the second half and proved to be a constant threat to the away side with a number of excellent crosses raining in from the left flank.  Town's front duo Andrew Cash and Nathan Feeney went close on a number of occasions to doubling the home side's advantage but a combination of fine Greystones' defending and Arklow's lack of a killer instinct in front of goal ensured that the tie remained on edge throughout.  Substitute Junior Aminu and Cal Kelly both spurned good chances before the contest was settled.  Showing great confidence and touch Andrew Cash created an opening from nothing after a fine move down Arklow's left wing, cutting in from the byline on his left foot and firing home with a thunderous effort with his right to seal the win for Arklow Town who now advance to the second round of the National Cup, where a trip to South Dublin looms.

Images from the 11B's win over Greystones United B:

Sep 26 Valiant effort from Town C's in National Cup
Arklow Town U11C's may have exited the National Cup at the first hurdle earlier today but they departed from the All Ireland tournament with pride firmly intact after frightening a perceived stronger side, in Wicklow Rovers A, at the Leisure Centre.  Town may well rue missed opportunities in front of goal, as the contest was only sealed late in the day with a third Wicklow goal four minutes from time.  Ben Makin, Town's keeper, had a stormer of a game.  Jack Donnelly and Kyle O'Connor were frugal all game, giving nothing away.  Town's three central defenders Conor Ahearne, Gerard Kavanagh and Tommy New all worked well together while across the middle of the park Ros McBride, Brandon Hogan and Caleb Briggs-Wolohan all worked extremely hard.  Gerard Hackett, up front alongside Philip Molloy, put Town into a tenth minute lead with a well taken effort.  As is often the way in football, the reply was instant, with Rovers going straight downfield and levelling.  Town suffered a cruel blow with half time looming, conceding a second goal on the stroke of half time.  Tom Hurley was introduced up front, and Michael O'Sullivan was also introduced, in defence, with both performing brilliantly.  Similarly, Ciarán Winters replacing Conor Ahearne with fifteen minute remaining, performed heroically, as Town strived for a leveller.  However, Rovers added a third goal with just four minutes left to advance to the next round, leaving Town to wonder what might have been with a little luck on their side, on the day.

Sep 19 Town pay price for slow start
Disappointment for Town's 11C team, beaten 7-3 away at St. Anthony's earlier today.  A game, almost, of two halves, with the Town side starting slowly and facing a mountain to climb, going into the half time break four goals down.  Credit though a much improved second half performance, withCaleb Briggs-Wolohan epimotising Town's drastically improved belief.  Town went close on a number of occasions before scoring, hitting the woodwork on two occasions.  Town pulled back three goals with the lively Gerard Hackett hitting the back of the net alongside Caleb Briggs-Wolohan and Ros McBride.  A little more self belief and the Town C team will not only climb those mountains but they'll trot down the far side, with plenty to spare!

Misfortune for both 11A and 11B sides, with home games scheduled against Greystones United A and Ardmore Rovers A respectively.  The non-appearance of a referee ensured both games were postponed, to be rescheduled for another day in the future.

Sep 12 Goals aplenty at the Community College
No surprises at the Community College with the U11A team dispatching the U11B team in an opening fixture in this season's Premier Division.  The B team's task was as uphill off the pitch as it was on it in the first half, with three absentees lost to injury before a ball was kicked.  Mikey Quigley opened the scoring for the A team in the fifth minute and he doubled the lead before the quarter hour mark.  The B team's woes increased with a leg injury removing keeper Eoin Kavanagh from play, though it must be said that his replacement between the sticks Jake Byrne performed well for the remainder of the game.  Liam Scales fired home an excellent finish before Darragh Fitzgerald netted his first goal for Town, putting the A team 4-0 up at the break.  Quigley completed his hat trick early in the second half.  Adam Harvey limped out of the action moments before Stewart Mills netted his first goal in club colours midway through the half and Ross Hanley added his name to the list with a good finish.  Substitute Calem Devereux netted two late goals to put the seal on a fine team effort.

Town's U11C team opened their account for the season, in Division 1, with a thumping 11-1 victory over Wolfe Tone B.  Amazingly, Town were behind early into the game, conceding after a defensive lapse gifted the visitors an early goal.  However, from thereon it was all Arklow Town, with each and every player applying themselves to an excellent win.  Keeper Ben Makin put in a faultless performance in goal.  Defenders Michael O'Sullivan, Kyle O'Connor and central pairing of Gerard Kavanagh and Conor Ahearne were outstanding.  Likewise Brandon Hogan and Ros McBride in the middle of the park, keeping the flow going in Town's favour.  Padraic O'Connor and Jack Donnelly put in a tireless shift, with O'Connor eventually netting four goals to crown his own effort.  Forwards Caleb Briggs Wolohan and Patrick O'Brien worked tirelessly in the first half before making way for Tom Hurley, Ciarán Winters and Gerard Hackett.  Goalscorers:  Padraic O'Connor 4, Gerard Hackett 2, Ros McBride 2, Brandon Hogan, Kyle O'Connor, Tom Hurley.

A tough baptism for Town's new U11D team though with the young side facing St. Peter's Boys A at the Leisure Centre.  With little or no time pre-season, it has been straight into the deep end for the D team and hopefully things will improve on the training pitch in the weeks ahead.

Aug 10 Squad listings for season 2009/10
The following are the team selections for the new season, 2009/10.  The team selections listed below have been based on the recent club trials, Mini World Cup tournament (where applicable), club summer camp and other tournaments involving Town sides.  Manager assessments from season 2008/09 have also been taken into consideration, with the squad selections being made in an open and honest manner.

Squad Details - Season 2009/10

U11A
Cathal Kelleher, Mikey Quigley, Jack Somers, Darragh Fitzgerald, Stephen McDonald, Morgan Harris, Stewart Mills, Ross Hanley, Thomas Rowan, Liam Scales, Tom Maher, Jack Darcy, Conor Dodd, Callum Devereux, Gary Fennell, Conor Byrne.
Managers:  Lar Mahony, Mark Hanley, Eugene Quigley.

U11B
Alex Tyrrell, Zack Kilbride, Andrew Cash, Cal Kelly, Junior Aminu, Nathan Feeney, Amy Guilfoyle, Cameron Walker, Eoin Kavanagh, Daniel Boyle, Cullan Walsh, Jake Byrne, Tom Delahunt, Peter Tyrrell, Joseph Cummiskey, Adam Harvey.
Managers:  Colm Kavanagh, Tom Feeney, Niall Guilfoyle.

U11C
Ros McBride, Michael O'Sullivan, Kyle O'Connor, Gerard Kavanagh, Ciaran Winters, Caleb Briggs-Wolohan, Dillon Mordaunt, Jack Moriarty, Padraic O'Connor, Ben Makin, Brandon Hogan, Jack Donnelly, Philip Molloy, Conor Ahearne, Tom Hurley, Tommy New, Patrick O'Brien.
Managers:  Larry Cullen, Tony Donnelly.

U11D
Ronan Arthur, John Rose, Michael Coleman, Conor Long, Daniel Long, Thomas Ravenscroft, Ryan Mooney, Padraig Hogan, Sean Saunders, Joseph Thompson, Gavin Bentley, Bill O'Brien, Ryan Godkin, Ryan Walker, Anthony O'Brien, Niall Kinsella, Ryan Neary, Conor Going, Dean Molloy. Plus U10C squad:  Jamie Garnett, Jano Evans, Keith Moore, Conor Kenny, Josh Martin, Craig Forde, Conor O'Neill, Sean Dunne, Cian Bealin, Sam Fallover, Ross Coady, Daniel Breen, Wojtek Sowinska, Cian Browne, Cameron Yau, Conor Kelly.
Managers:  David Kenny, Eddie Going.