June 5 Penalty kings land cup for Town
The WDSL U16 Premier Cup Final, one of the showpiece fixtures in the schoolboy/girl calendar, most certainly lived up to its pre-match billing with a dramatic clash between Arklow Town and Rathnew entertaining all present at a sun-drenched Carlisle Grounds in Bray earlier today. A lively start from the Arklow side saw them edge ahead in just the ninth minute.  Arklow winger Darragh O'Leary, flying down Town's left flank, cut inside and threaded a deliciously weighted ball into the path of striker James Sheehan and he slotted home past Rathnew keeper John Manley.  Town doubled their lead in the 20th minute with a speculative effort from midfielder Aidan O'Callaghan on the left edge of the Rathnew area.  The Villagers were given a lifeline just five minutes later when referee Cian Long pointed to the penalty spot.  Rathnew's first half comeback was complete with half time looming, a fantastic drive from twenty five yards out quite simply unstoppable.  The first half drama had not ended though as Arklow defender Ryan Byrne went on a run from deep inside the Arklow half.  Breezing past two opponents Byrne suddenly saw an opening through the middle and ghosting past a further two Rathnew players he ran directly at the defence before passing wide right to the industrious Jordan Forde who shot just inches over the bar, unquestionably the best move of the game.  The tempo of the game dropped slightly in the second half, both teams regrouping and to a degree cancelling each other out, as a tactical battle evolved.  Chances were at a premium with both defences very much in control.  Extra time failed to seperate the sides though Arklow Town did indeed spurn a glorious chance to win when Darragh O'Leary was quickest to react to an Alan Sunderland ball into the Rathnew area.  O'Leary beat the combination of keeper and defenders to the ball but agonisingly saw his shot rebound off the foot of Manley's post and wide.  Penalties were required to determine a winner, and crucially Rathnew blazed their third spot kick over the bar.  Ryan Byrne, captain Ciaran Burke, Aaron Ward and Alan Sunderland had netted for the Black and Whites before Aidan O'Callaghan stepped up to take Arklow's fifth spot kick, knowing that a successful penalty would lift the cup for the Arklow side and he duly found the right corner of the net to seal victory for a jubilant Arklow Town side.

Images from today's Premier Cup Final success:

May 13 Jeepers Keepers!  Town defy the odds in battling style to reach Final
It was, in all probability, in keeping with the ridiculous nature of Town's season thus far that in Rathnew's Shamrock Park earlier tonight Town's 16's advanced to the Premier Cup Final after a game that had it all against current league leaders, Greystones United.  This Arklow side has enjoyed a wonderful run at national level, going almost all the way to the National Cup Final, denied at the semi final hurdle:  it will prove to be an experience the players will only truly come to properly reflect upon in the years ahead.  These are, and can be, wonderful times for footballers of this age - players with undoubted ability, individually and collectively as a team.  And yet, going into tonight's game, few players probably paid much attention to the fact that at domestic level, within Wicklow football this term, the semi final meeting with Greystones United represented their only chance of silverware this season.

Town, by far, started the brighter, camped in and around the Greystones penalty area.  Kevin Russell came closest to opening the scoring in just the fourth minute, with a header that was well saved by the Greystones keeper.  Town, though on top, had not really extended themselves beyond second gear and yet they found themselves trailing to a poor goal in the eleventh minute.  Spurning not one but at least four chances to clear, Town were guilty of inviting trouble and the Greystones number ten duly slammed home beyond Town keeper Cian Ryan.  Greystones could hardly believe their luck.  Their optimism rose not long after that first goal when Arklow keeper Ryan and the scorer of Greystones' opener clashed in the D outside Town's area.  Ryan had been quick to react to a long ball played over the top and as he came off his line to collect, he was faced with the high boot of the Greystones attacker coming down on his head, leaving him cut, bloodied and having to leave the game at an unfortunate early stage.  With just one substitute available on the evening to Joe Byrne, Philip Nolan was introduced, up front, with Jonathan Delahunt donning the keeper's jersey.  It goes without saying that all wish Cian a speedy recovery after he received medical attention after the game.  Stand in keeper Delahunt rose magnificently to the occasion as Town's re-arranged formation all dug in deep.  Just on half time, with Town still enjoying a majority of possession Delahunt saved superbly well from a Greystones forward.  The ball however fell invitingly to a Greystones striker and his goalbound effort was miraculously cleared off the line by the ever-dependable Ryan Byrne.  Insert your own expletive of choice but a word or ten was thrown at the players at half time, within the confines of the dressing room.  Result?  Town upped their game all over the pitch from the re-start, putting Greystones under increasing pressure.  Inevitably, a goal had to come Arklow's way, and from what was possibly the first time the team placed the oppposition under proper pressure they forced an opening down the right wing, with the versatile Paudge Kelleher finding James Sheehan on the right edge of Greystones' area.  Sheehan did not need asking twice befire smashing home a thunderous drive to level matters.  Even though Town looked the likelier to score a second, they were most certainly let off the hook when a 'Stones' midfielder burst clear through, only to drive wide of Delahunt's far post.  Town continued to press for a second goal.  Philip Nolan, working tirelessly up front, continued to create space for others to exploit.  Jordan Forde was then injured in one such move and was forced to hobble off with an ankle / leg injury.  Town, momentarily, were reduced to just ten players before Forde returned, slotting into the right back position, allowing Paudge Kelleher to move into midfield.  With the clock ticking, and just six and a half minutes left on the clock Town struck what turned out to be the winner, a sweeping move down Town's right flank seeing Kelleher finding Aaron Ward out wide, almost hugging the line.  Ward showed great strength and determination, driving past two tackles before unleashing quite simply the most delicious strike imaginable as his shot fizzed past the Greystones keeper high into the top left corner.  Ward almost added a third goal late in the game, a close range effort being blocked by a combination of keeper and full back, the ball then spilling across the six yard area where Philip Nolan went agonisingly close to sealing the win.

Images from tonight's dramatic Premier Cup semi final:

Apr 11 Town dig deep to reach quarter finals
A magnificent team display full of courage and conviction earned Arklow Town Under 16's a coveted place in the last eight of this season's SFAI Barry Cup after a herculean battle with a very fine Ashbourne United team at Baltrasna earlier today.  A large and somewhat expectant home crowd were royally entertained from the first whistle as both teams battled for control in a very competitive midfield area.  Town keeper Cian Ryan pulled off a number of excellent saves in the opening half hour but even he was unable to deny the home side in the 32nd minute when from a corner kick the ball was bundled into the back of the Arklow net.  In truth the home team dictated matters for long spells but Arklow asked as many questions in front of goal as the home team.  Midway through the second half Town began to get the upper hand and went close to levelling twice, both efforts superbly saved by the Meath side's keeper.  With less than ten minutes to go Adam Brown struck to level matters, a goal similar to Ashbourne's, netting from close range amongst a sea of defenders.  Into extra time, the game really expanded with continuous action at both ends.  Credit to both teams for their application with the game being played at an incredibly high tempo with the stakes so high.  With the spectre of penalties looming the contest was decided.  A fine sweeping move saw Arklow carve open the Ashbourne defence and Adam Brown did not need asking twice before drilling home a low effort to seal a fabulous win for the travelling Arklow side.  Town's win ensures for the second year running the name of Arklow Town in the quarter finals of the National Cup at this level, a fine achievement for the club still harbouring national honours at three schoolboy levels entering the latter stages.

Images from today's game:

Jan 30 O'Leary magic sees Town into last 16
A moment of individual brilliance and nothing less encapsulated a thorough performance from a strong Arklow Town Under 16 side as they safely accounted for a game Templemore side who had travelled from Tipperary for this keenly awaited SFAI U16 Barry Cup Round of 32 clash.  The Arklow club reached the last eight of this competition last season, cruelly exiting to a last gasp goal in extra time in Cork and this season's crop of 16 year olds will aspire to going further this time around.  Arklow started like a house on fire with Aidan O'Callaghan linking up well with Mark Hardy to create a number of openings.  It was Hardy himself who put the home side ahead in the twelfth minute with a fine effort low and hard across the keeper from the edge of the area.  Adam Moorehouse, industrious throughout, doubled Town's lead with half time looming and when Moorehouse netted his second and Town's third the tie looked done and dusted.  Credit though the Tipperary side who continued to probe for a route back into the game, a well worked move down their left flank ended with their number nine firing home from fifteen yards.  Substitute keeper Cian Ryan then pulled off an excellent save to deny the visitors tipping around his near post.  Town's response was clinical and if an admission fee had have been charged it would have been well worth it.  Ryan Byrne, another of Arklow's fine emerging talents, swept upfield finding Darragh O'Leary.  O'Leary, who up to that point had always sought to provide creativity on Arklow's left flank, worked a ball past not one but three defenders on the edge of the Templemore area.  Exuding confidence in his own ability he shimmied one way and then the other, the ball glued to his foot, as he left a trail of defenders in his wake before slotting home a goal of pure beauty to seal Town's place in the last sixteen of the National Cup.  The beautiful game at its finest.

What a goal!

Dec 12 Town brush aside Tullamore challenge
Arklow Town Under 16's breezed into the last 32 of this season's SFAI Barry Cup after a comprehensive dismantling of Tullamore Town at their Leah Victoria Park home earlier today.  The travelling Arklow side hit the ground running and in truth should have netted twice inside the opening ten minutes.  On the quarter hour though it was the home side who opened the scoring, against the run of play, breaking through the middle with a Tullamore defender unleashing an unstoppable effort from all of 25 yards out that sailed into the top corner.  Town though remained focused playing some very purposeful football and pounding the home goalmouth.  Five minutes before half time they levelled with defender Alan Sunderland intercepting a through ball and driving directly at Tullamore's defence he unleashed a drive from 30 yards out that was superbly parried by the home keeper.  Mark Hardy was first to react driving low and hard into the net.  Three minutes into the second half Town worked another opening with Ryan Byrne, Ian Reid and Aidan O'Callaghan working well to set up Adam Moorehouse for Arklow's second goal, the Town striker netting from ten yards.  Five minutes later Town's ever lively Darragh O'Leary was felled in the Tullamore area and Sunderland stepped up to increase Town's lead.  On the hour mark Mark Hardy produced the move of the game resulting in a fourth Arklow goal to seal Tullamore's exit from the cup, the intelligent Arklow midfielder picking up a loose ball inside the Arklow half and running almost the length of the pitch he beat four opponents before rounding the keeper and netting in style.  Tullamore flickered into life with a second goal, a cross into Arklow's area was not dealt with and the resulting lapse in Arklow defending afforded the home side a consolation goal.  Five minutes from time the result was put beyond Tullamore with Mark Hardy flicking a cross from Adam Brown beyond the keeper.  However,  a home defender was on the line to handle the ball, resulting in an instant red card being shown by the referee.  Hardy himself stepped up to drive home his third goal of the game and Arklow's fifth to ease the Wicklow side into the latter stages of the National Cup oncemore.  A key win for the Arklow side, once again the scent of national honours fills the nostrils having gone agonisingly close last season in the same competition.  A fantastic team effort with Stephen Kavanagh, Ciarán Byrne, Ian Reid and Aidan O'Callaghan to name but four all rising to the occasion.  Arklow Town will now welcome Templemore to Bridgewater Centre Park with a place in the last sixteen at stake.

Nov 28 Town ease to victory
A James Sheehan hat trick eased Town's 16's to victory at Carnew earlier today.  Other goals from Kevin Russell and Jordan Forde in a 5-2 win for the Town side.  No match report.

Nov 7 Dowling heads Town into fourth round of National Cup
Arklow Town, who reached the last eight in last season's SFAI Barry Cup are on the scent for glory oncemore, with this year's crop of sixteens overcoming a game and well organised Longford Town side at Bridgewater Centre Park earlier today, to advance to the fourth round of this year's competition.  Having reached the last eight and last sixteen in the previous two seasons, in Goodson and Evans Cup competitions respectively, the Arklow side were determined to advance to the fourth regional round, aware that Longford possessed similar aspirations.  Both sides could not be faulted for endeavouring to play the game in the right manner.  Longford were lively from the off and three times inside the opening quarter saw long balls played over the top, with Town's Ryan Werder alive to the danger on each occasion.  Town struck in the 18th minute when Adam Moorehouse drove home from an angle on the left edge of Longford's area.  The home side created a few more chances before half time with Liam Carroll closest to doubling their lead.  Into the second half, a second goal failed to arrive for the home side despite dominating for long spells, and Longford sensed a lifeline.  That chance arrived late in the day, with just two minutes remaining, a defensive lapse in the Arklow penalty area being severely punished by a Longford attacker.  Into extra time and the home side found second wind, causing Longford a few problems down either flank.  A crucial second goal came courtesy of Kyle Dowling's head, powered home from close range.  It was Dowling again, in the second half of extra time, who secured victory for the home side, rising highest to head home Town's third after a cross from John Kearon.  Late in the game substitute Kofi Poku slotted home with aplomb after a wonderful Town move cut open a now beaten Longford defence to seal an eventual 4-1 win for the home team and passage into the crucial fourth round of this year's Barry Cup.  Town have been afforded a home draw in the next round, due to face either Tullamore Town or Dalkey United.

Images from today's game:

Nov 3 Town shine under the lights even in defeat
Town made the relatively short trek up the N11 earlier this evening to face Rathnew U16 under the lights at Shamrock Park.  Amazingly, in this the first week of November, Town were facing their first league action since October 10, and better still this was the home side's first league fixture of the season.  Having reached the latter stages in last year's National Cup the home side were always going to provide a stern examination of Town's eager side, treble winners from last season when playing at U14 level.  The home side were physically a bigger side than Town and that was to prove the difference.  However, Town played very well and the scoreline somewhat masks a very good team performance.  The back four, busy and solid all game, with Ciaran Burke, Ryan Byrne, Anthony Furlong and Philip Nolan all excellent throughout.  Keeper Cian Ryan had a very good game also, pulling off some fabulous saves and always commanding in his area.  Midfielders Aidan O'Callaghan and Jonathan Delahunt were made to work hard in the battle for control in the middle of the park while wingers Jordan Forde and Kevin Russell were always willing and worked tirelessly all game.  Up front, the duo of James Sheehan and Aaron Ward worked hard against a very strong home defence.  Conor Cleary came on for Philip Nolan and Gavin Forde for his namesake, Jordan, both doing well on a night when it was hard to fault any player.  Rathnew's opening goal came from a corner when Philip Murphy was afforded a free header.  The second goal came after a fine save from Cian Ryan, with Rathnew first to react to the rebound.  David Jameson sealed the win for the home side with a stunning 20 yard effort that hit the underside of the crossbar before nestling in Town's net.  Even in defeat, Town can dwell on a number of positives in advance of this weekend's National Cup test against Portlaoise.

Oct 10 Defeat for Town at 'Stones
Arklow Town were beaten at Woodlands earlier today, losing 1-0 to the hosts Greystones United.  No match report.

Sep 27 Town kick off new season with away win
A brace from Philip Nolan and one each from substitutes Paddy Power and Cian Ryan saw Town pick up were they left off from their treble winning run of last year (at U14 level).  Town started slowly and despite enjoying greater possession they fell behind to an early Roundwood goal as a result of some sloppy defensive work.  Resilient as ever, Town quickly got over the early setback and began to enforce themselves on the game through controlled football with the game being played predominantly in the Roundwood half.  The aerial strength of centre half and captain Ciaran Burke, driving his team forward ably, surrounded by the superb work of his defensive partners Padraic Kelleher, Anthony Nolan and Aaron Ward.  Town finally got their just rewards with two superb individual efforts by Philip Nolan in the final ten minutes of the first half, the lethal striker calmly finishing twice in one on one's against the Roundwood netminder.  Town continued in a similar vein throughout the second half with keeper JJ Maghery a spectator for much of proceedings.  With twenty mintues to go, Paddy Power and Town's other keeper, Cian Ryan came on as replacements up front.  Both duly chipped in with goals to round off a workmanlike first game of the season for last years U14 champions.  Special note for the team's new pairing of Aaron Ward and Conor Cleary, up from last year's U14B's.  Both had superb games showing the strength in depth now at the club.

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

U16A
Ciaran Burke, Cian Ryan, JJ Maghery, Kevin Russell, James Sheehan, Gavin Forde, Jordan Forde, Ryan Byrne, Jonathan Delahunt, Aidan O'Callaghan, Anthony Furlong, Padraig Kelleher, Philip Nolan, Paddy Power, Aaron Ward, Conor Cleary.
Managers:  Brendan Burke, Victor Ryan.