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Arklow Town Under 12s |
Apr 13 Vital win for Town as push for Shield Final strengthens
With all eyes on the top two, Wolfe Tones (preserving a 100% record after their first six games) and Newtown, little recognition has been afforded Town's U12B side who have been amongst the "best of the rest". However, with Newtown visiting Bridgewater Centre Park earlier today it was to be a day of days for the 12Bs as they dismantled their highly rated opponents to place themselves firmly into the mix chasing a place in next month's Shield Final. Having gained confidence from a fine team performance last weekend at leaders Wolfe Tones it was important for Town to start well. And well they did. The defensive unit of Sean Loughlin, Michael Walker and Laura Ferguson were superb throughout thwarting anything Newtown had to offer. The duo of Patrick Brennan and Johno Roche were once again the scorers of Arklow's goals, this time Johno weighing in with two goals, to lead Arklow to a fine 3-1 win over Newtown and to move the Town side level in the table with Newtown at the halfway stage. |
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Apr 6 Town lose out in seven goal thriller
Mindful of a hammering previusly this season against the same opponents, Arklow Town U12B travelled to Bray to face a Wolfe Tones side more in hope than expectation. A much improved performance from the Town side saw Tones pushed all the way this time. Goals from Johno Roche and two from Patrick Brennan ensured that the Town were in the contest right until the final whistle and can consider themselves unfortunate to lose out 4-3 on the day. The U12A side, back at Bridgewater Centre Park, went down 2-1 to Wicklow Rovers A. |
Mar 2 Disappointment on the double
Not the best of weekends at U12 level with both A and B sides suffering defeats. The A side travelled to Wicklow to face a Wicklow Rovers B side that appears to have some sort of hold over our own A side. A Shane Walker goal was scant consolation for Arklow, in a 2-1 defeat that now leaves them with much work to do if to make the Shield Final. The B side meanwhile, welcomed a rampant Wolfe Tones to Bridgewater Centre Park. Unbeaten in their opening four games, winning all, scoring twenty six goals thus far, they put a Town side, unbeatn themselves, to the sword, with a seven goal thumping. |
Feb 24 Seven Deadly Ins!
The U12A side most certainly refound their scoring boots as they dismantled Ardmore Rovers A, 7-1 at Bridgewater Centre Park earlier today. Sean Hurley and Craig Kinsella both bagged a pair each and the other goals were scored by Shane Walker, Ryan Murray and Enda Kinsella. Unfortunately, the U12Bs were bounced out of the cup when losing 3-0 away in Aughrim and now focus solely on their Shield campaign. |
Feb 17 A's left disappointed after excellent performance
Arklow Town U12A side departed the cup competition after a gripping contest away to Wicklow Rovers A team. Despite playing the more attractive football on the day, the Town can count themselves unfortunate to be knocked out at the first hurdle after putting in a vastly improved team performance that - result aside - left the manager satisfied with the efforts of all. Losing 2-1 to Rovers, Enda Dempsey was the scorer of Arklow's lone goal. |
Feb 10 Bs maintain good run with excellent win over 'Stones
Arklow Town U12B achieved a double over Greystones A after a resounding 5-0 victory at Bridgewater Centre Park with goals coming from Patrick Brennan (2), Robert Lyons, Johno Roche and Joseph Dunne. The A side were not as fortunate when losing out to a single goal scored by Wicklow Rovers in a tight match played at Bridgewater Centre Park. |
Jan 20 Fine win for B team on their travels
Without a win in five fixtures since their last league win back in mid October, the U12B team put on an excellent performance when defeating Greystones United A 4-1 on the all-weather pitch at Woodlands earlier today. With the majority of WDSL fixtures once again cancelled the U12B side were delighted to avail of a game not threatened with postponement. Joseph Dunne, who scored two goals when the sides met earlier this season in Arklow, will earn the headlines with his hat trick but today's win was all about a fine team performance. Laura O'Neill, Keilin Walker and Matthew Snell reigned supreme in defence while the scorer of Arklow's other goal, Michael Walker, put in a commanding performance alongside Joseph Dunne, who could do with working on his cartwheel celebrations we hear! A special mention though for team captain today, Andrew Tancred, returning to action today after a family bereavement. |
Dec 28 WDSL U12 Development squad win in Kildare
It is not often that W.D.S.L representative squads win tournaments but this is what happened this past weekend as five Arklow Town players helped the W.D.S.L. under 12 squad to win a six team tournament in Kildare. The tournament included representative teams from Carlow, Midlands, Athlone, Wicklow and two from Kildare and competed on Kilcullen's all weather pitch last Friday. In the first match, Wicklow thrashed Kildare B team 7-0, with Arklow Town's Cormac Breslin opening the scoring with a 25 yard belter. |
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In the second game they overcame the Midlands league 2-1 to win the group and set up a final showdown against a strong Athlone team who had strolled through their group. Athlone were the best footballing team in the tournament, hardly surprising as the Wicklow lads had never played or trained together before this tournament. However, Wicklow shocked the Athlone lads with a 1-0 victory to record their third victory of the day and win the tournament overall for their age group. |
| While the management have a lot of work to do, it is clear that there is a talented group of players at this age group playing in the W.D.S.L. Team Coach Sean 'Cha' Byrne was delighted with the victory. There will be keen competition for places on this panel over the coming season and a half. A number of other Arklow Town players will be in contention for a place on the team and the Arklow manager Paul Breslin hopes to have 9 or 10 players on the final 30 player panel. The Arklow players who represented Wicklow in the Kildare Tournament were Ryan Murray, Sean Byrne, Sean Hurley, Craig Kinsella and Cormac Breslin. |
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Nov 11 U12A advance to next round of Norton Cup
Top scorer Shane Walker was centre of attention in the home dressing room prior to our National Cup game in Bridgewater Centre Park. Shane fractured his shin bone in a freak accident during training two weeks ago. Happily, he is on the mend but nontheless it has been a traumatic few weeks for Shane and his family and all at Arklow Town wish him a speedy recovery. The lads were reminded by the management that of the ten goals we have scored in the two previous rounds Shane had notched seven of these. So it was put to them that they needed to fill the gap. Shane's cousin, and striking partner, Ryan Murray responded and scored a hat trick to put the Town in the next round. It was a thoroughly deserved win and the margin of victory should have been greater. Arlington, who were minus their top striker (he had gone to watch Man.Utd, for his sins!) tried hard throughout the match but with only one strike on goal in the entire game, they were not going to trouble the home defence, who have not kept three successive clean sheets. There were many fine performances - Cormac Breslin, Lee Kenny, Sean Hurley and Enda Dempsey to name a few but the opposing manager singled out Sean Byrne for special mention. The Town eagerly await news of their next opponents in this competition. What we do know is that we will be at home against either Park Celtic or Wicklow Rovers. Roll on the next round.
Match report by Paul Breslin |
Nov 11 B's show spirit in defeat
The U12B side lost 4-1 at home to a better Wolfe Tone side with Drew Brennan the scorer of Arklow's lone goal. The scoreline does little justice to an encouraging performance by the team, having lost 7-1 last weekend against the same opponents. Patrick Brennan struck a post early on and a number of scoring opportunities were spurned. Man of the match was the returning Keilin Walker, as sweeper. |
Nov 4 Shock to the system for B team
Shock result of the weekend must be the defeat of the U12B side away at Wolfe Tone, played in Ballywaltrim. The U12 Division Two is proving to be keenly fought with at least six clubs now vying for the honours. It was a must win game for the home side and so it proved to be, with Joseph Dunne the lone scorer of a consolation goal in a 7-1 defeat for the Town. However, still very much all to play for in the division with everyone beating each other and no one emerging from the pack to stake a claim on the top spot. |
Nov 1 Unlucky break for Shane
Shane Walker, who plays for the U12A side, has fractured a leg while training with his team mates on the all weather pitch at Pearse Park. Shane, who has scored ten goals for the U12A side so far this season, including a five goal haul against Kildare side Kilcullen in the National Cup, was transferred immediately to Wexford General Hospital last evening and from there onto Waterford Hospital where he now undergoes an operation today. All his team mates and indeed all at the Club wish him a speedy recovery, hoping to see him back in action in a few month's time, and soon knocking in the goals oncemore for the 12A side. |
Oct 21 A team send Sacred Heart packing
A solid 4-0 win on their travels to Killinardin Park, to face Dublin side Sacred Heart, has secured the 12A side safe passage to the next round of the National Cup. Sacred Heart had thwarted the B side in the previous round so the A team were in need of little incentive when the two sides clashed earlier today at the Dublin venue. Both Shane Walker and Ryan Murray returned to scoring ways, with young Walker netting twice. Craig Kinsella also found the back of the net in what was a convincing performance by the side.
Meanwhile, in WDSL action, the 12B's were a little unfortunate when losing 2-1 to St. Anthony's in Kilcoole. The loss of Keilin Walker, sent off after no more than fifteen minutes didn't help matters and the Town trailed 2-0 going into the break. A stirring second half yielded little reward until a Drew Brennan free kick was parried by the home keeper into the path of substitute, birthday girl Laura O'Neill, who slotted home the rebound. Despite laying siege to the St. Anthony's goal it wasn't to be and the home side prevailed. |
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Oct 14 B side topple league leaders while As content with solid away point
The U12B side secured a third successive league victory to place themselves very much in the mix at the top of their division. The visiting Avonmore side were sitting pretty on top of the league before coming to Arklow. Goals from Andrew Murray and Robert Lyons put paid to their unbeaten run in a fine 2-0 win for the B side. Elsewhere, the A side travelled to Wicklow, to face a Rovers A side who had beaten them in Lamberton the previous week. Demanding a vast improvement on last week's performance, the defence proved to be the key to a well won point and the side's first clean sheet of the season. Furthermore, it is the first time in five seasons that this Wicklow Rovers A side had been kepot scoreless when playing at home - no mean achievement. With chances few and far between it was a day for defenders to earn the plaudits and committedd efforts from goalkeeper Mal Brennan, Shaun Tyrrell, Conor Doyle (pictured left), Enda Dempsey and Sean Byrne ensured the Town came home satisfied with an away point. |
Oct 7 Steady progress for the Bs and a shock for the As!
Amazing what a win can do for confidence! The 12B side followed up their first League win of the season with a conclusive 3-1 win over the visiting Aughrim Rangers, in a keenly contested affair at Bridgewater Centre Park earlier today. Goals from Andrew Murray, Drew Brennan and Robert Lyons ensured a second home win of the season and the Town are now right in the mix for honours. Meanwhile, the U12A side were on the wrong end of a 2-0 scoreline at home against Wicklow Rovers A, also played on Sunday. A tight affair between two decent sides, the away side began to gain the upper hand as the second half progressed. Failure to clear a corner fifteen minutes into the half proved costly as Rovers opened the scoring. With the clock working against the home side Wicklow added a second to seal Town's first defeat of the season. Despite the loss it's worth mentioning the performance of keeper Mal Brennan who had an excellent game, as did Shaun Tyrrell in defence. |
Sep 30 Excellent first win of the season for 12Bs
It's been a tough start to the season for the 12b side but having both scored last week in the National Cup defeat against Dublin side Sacred Heart, both Joseph Dunne and Johno Roche were once again on the scoresheet as the B side recorded their opening win of the season when defeating the Greystones United A side 3-1 at Bridgewater Centre Park. |
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Sep 22 Walker powers charge into next round - Kilcullen A 3 Arklow Town A 6
The 12A team started their Norton Cup (National Cup) campaign with a fine 6-3 win in Kilcullen on Saturday. The Town made it difficult for themselves at times, especially in the first half, by allowing the home team to get back into the game on two occasions. While the Town were never behind in this game, worryingly, the score at half time was level, two goals apiece. Never ones to make it easy on their faithful band of travelling supporters (all 12 of them), the lads produced some excellent football at times followed by passages of play which can only be described as, generous to a fault to the opposition. That old Gooners victory tune, 'one nil to the Arsenal', will never be sung by our supporters in praise of our victories. If it's goals goals goals you want, at either end, then the 12A's are your only man! The attacking duo of Murray Walker - no not the Formula 1 correspondent! - but the second cousins Ryan Murray and Shane Walker were the goalmeisters in chief on the day. Walker scored five goals in a breathtaking display of skill, strength and power. The core fitness programme the lads are doing as homework seems to be aiding Walker as he powered his way through the home defence on numerous occasions.Not to be outdone by the cousin, Murray played his part and scored the all important second goal. Elsewhere on the pitch the left flank marshalled by Lee Kenny and Sean Hurley, was where most of the attacks were launched. Most pleasing to the management was the resilience shown by the players in continuing to bounce back following Kilcullen scores. In the end the win was comfortable. More importantly to the players it sets up the possibility of ourselves playing the B team lads in the next round should they beat Sacred Heart on Sunday. Surely this mouthwatering tie (should it materalise) will have to be played under lights. It would give the Town lads a memorable evening - as long as there are no upsets! Match report by Paul Breslin
Unfortunately the B side lost out in an entertaining encounter with Dublin side Sacred Heart, played at Bridgewater Centre Park, on a 4-2 scoreline with both Joseph Dunne and Johno Roche getting the goals. |
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Sep 18 U12's set for double assault on the Norton Cup
Arklow Town's U12A and B sides both take the first step into National Cup competition this coming weekend when playing their first matches in the Norton Cup. The A side will travel to Kildare to face Kilcullen on the back of some fine form closer to home. An eight goal haul in their opening match of the WDSL season was equalled last Sunday morning when facing Ardmore in what became a practise match. With both Shane Walker and Ryan Murray already proving to be clinical in front of goal, the side travel with confidence high. A number of players, such as Sean Byrne (pictured left) have made the step up over the summer from the B team to the A team and we wish them well. The B side entertain Dublin side Sacred Heart at Lamberton on Sunday and all support for the lads is welcomed! |
Sep 16 U12A side prove to be a "Glass" Act!
The U12A side scored eight goals for the second week running, overcoming a gallant Ardmore Rovers A side in Ballywaltrim in Bray early Sunday morning. However, the game was delayed as it was discovered upon arrival that the pitch was strewn with broken glass. After many parents had cleared the broken bottles from the pitch it emerged that no referee had turned up to officiate the match! It was agreed by both clubs to play on regardless. Ryan Murray, who netted four goals last week, scored another hat trick with Shane Walker also bagging three goals. Craig Kinsella and Sean Hurley netted the other two goals as Arklow romped home 8-3 winners. A good solid team performance, notably from Sean Byrne and Malachy Brennan. A good work out in advance of next week's National Cup fixture away against Kildare opponents Kilcullen. The U12B side who face Dublin side Sacred Heart at Lamberton next weekend in the National Cup went down 3-1 to St. Patrick's with Simon Gribbon grabbing the consolation goal. |
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Sep 9 12As up and running in Lamberton goal feast
The U12A side began their season with a comfortable if at times laboured victory over Wicklow Rovers earlier at Lamberton today. The Wicklow town side were promoted to the A Division this year and though no match for the Arklow lads they tried throughout the game and gave the Arklow side food for thought with a two goal salvo just before half time. The Arklow goals came courtesy of Ryan Murray, who bagged four goals, with Shane Walker, Callum Pursey and Shaun Tyrrell all scoring a goal apiece. The last goal was an own goal, put into his own net by a Wicklow Rovers defender. Some good individual performances, notably from duo Ryan Murray (pictured right) and Sean Hurley. A good competent winning start, with many chances created and not converted. However, a lot of improvement is needed if the team are to challenge for National Cup honours this season.
The U12B side shared the spoils with Newtown at Lamberton, two goals apiece. |
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Aug 25 Lar Mahony took the U12A side for a pre-season training camp at Lamberton. Pictured here with the team and assistant, Paul Breslin.
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Aug 20 Spooner Ryan Tournament
The Six under 12 teams competed in the competition: Cork Corinthians, Clonmel Town, St. Francis Athlone, Confey Co. Kildare, Templemore, and Arklow Town.
The travelling panel was as follows:-
Cormac Byrne, Cormac Breslin, Drew Brennan, Ryan Murray, Shane Walker, Shaun Tyrrell, Craig Kinsella, George Horsman, Sean Byrne, Lee Kenny, Conor Doyle, Sean Hurley, Enda Dempsey. |
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In the first game, Arklow Town beat Clonmel Town 4-1 with a fine display of committed and fluent attacking football. The debutant George Horsman opened his account in the first half with a fine header. Clonmel equalised near the end of the half following some lax defending from the Town.
In the second half Conor Doyle and Sean Byrne, playing his first game for the team, were introduced to bolster the defence; and the Town rattled in three goals without reply - a Ryan Murray glancing header and two individual efforts from Shane Walker. This was a great result for the team. In the next round of games, the favourites, and Cork League champions, Corinthians, only managed a last minute 2-1 victory over Clonmel. |
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In the second round, the Town's opponents were St. Francis from Athlone. The Town recorded the highest score in the tournament with a 7-0 victory against game opponents from Westmeath. Shane Walker (pictured left) scored three, Shaun Tyrell scored two and Craig Kinsella also notched a brace. This was an emphatic victory for the Town. With eleven goals scored and only one conceded the Town were into the 'A' Final against Corinthians, who scraped in courtesy of their last minute goal against Clonmel. |
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The Final turned out to be a disappointing affair as far as the Town are concerned, defensive errors and tired legs conspired to give a good Corinthians side a 4-1 victory. The highlight of the game from the manager's point of view was that the players continued to try to battle their way into the game and never stopped trying. Cormac Breslin scored the Town's goal with a free kick from outside the box. Overall the children enjoyed the day and the experience. The talk on the way home was of meeting Corinthians again hopefully in the National Cup this season. I would like to thank all the parents who made the journey to support the team especially Eddie Brennan and Drew Brennan, who helped us out as we were short of players on the day.
Paul Breslin |
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Aug 18 Arklow Town U12A will travel to play in the Spooner Ryan Tournament this Saturday in Templemore, Co. Tipperary. The team will face tough opposition in their group from College Corinthians (Cork), Clonmel Town, and the local side Caherdavin. Corinthians and Clonmel are among the top clubs in schoolboy / girl soccer in the country, and the local side Caherdavin are an up and coming club who I'm sure will want to put up a good showing in front of a partisan home crowd. The season for the team starts on the opening weekend in September. There are a number of pre season friendlies lined up before then and they include a home game against Knocklyon United from south Dublin on Thursday 23rd August, and away to the crack Wexford side Curracloe on Wednesday 29th August. There will also be a fixture on the weekend, August 25/26th. Details of the opponents will be announced nearer the fixture. Next week, August 20/24th, the panel as well as some of our friends from the B team panel will participate in a pre season coaching camp which will run from 10.30am until 3.00pm each day in Lamberton. The coaching staff will be the Club coach, Lar O'Mahony who will be assisted by Fran Butler. Speaking of coaching Tommy Byrne will be assisting the team management with the coaching of the players over the coming season. Tommy is a highly qualified and respected F.A.I. coach and the club are delighted that he has agreed to coach the 12A team and the 14A team. Paul Breslin |
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Jul 28 We have two under 12 sides playing this upcoming season. Listed below are the two teams competing in this age category: A and B.
Good luck to all over the coming season.
Under 12A WDSL U12 Prem
Shane Walker, Shaun Tyrrell, Ryan Murray, Cormac Breslin, Sean Hurley, Lee Kenny, Craig Kinsella, Enda Dempsey, Callum Pursey, Cormac Byrne, Sean Byrne, Conor Doyle, Malachy Brennan, Michael Walker, George Horsman.
Under 12B WDSL U12 Div 1
Andrew Brennan, Patrick Brennan, Simon Gribbon, Joseph Dunne, Laura Ferguson, Sean Cummiskey, Shaun Loughlin, Robert Lyons, Andrew Murray, Karl Murray, Matthew Snell, Keilin Walker, Patrick Walker, Johno Roche, Andrew Tancred. |
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