Apr 4 Five goal thriller at Ferndale
Town's U8C team emerged victors in the local derby with Arklow United at their Ferndale Park home earlier today. A cracking game, played in an excellent spirit saw Town winning by the odd goal in five. Nathan Cullen netted twice and Eoin Quigley scored the other goal to cap what was an all round fine team performance.
Chris Drohan scored a superb hat trick for the U8E side, winners away at Avonmore, 4-1 the scoreline. Oran Walker bagged Town's fourth goal and like the C team it was an excellent team performance that pleased most. John Fogarty had a superb game, passing the ball about with great confidence and getting in key tackles to deny Avonmore. Man of the match today though has to be Chris Drohan.
Mar 29 Goals galore (at both ends)
A busy weekend for our U8 sides, with four of the five teams in action. The U8A side continued their recent excellent run with a thumping 5-1 home win over Greystones United B, with both Liam Coleman and Conor Byrne netting twice; the other goal an unlucky own goal, in off a Greystones defender. The U8B team were involved in a crazy eleven goal thriller away in Carnew, eventually losing 6-5 to the home team. A cracking game, however, and the Town lads can be thoroughly delighted with the entertainment they provided. Kian Bolger grabbed a hat trick with Conor Roche and Andrew Maher Town's other scorers. The U8D's welcomed Wicklow Town to the Leisure Centre and similar to the U8B's game, they provided a highly entertaining game. Wicklow scored early in the first half and try as they did, it was just one of those days for the Arklow side in front of goal. Meanwhile, take a bow oncemore the new U8E team! Facing St. Patrick's at the Leisure Centre, the young Town side passed the ball about nicely, a delight to see such young players doing so. Goals were scored by Ryan Whelan, Chris Makin and man of the match John Boyle.
Mar 22 Good form continues
An excellent weekend for our U8 sides, with four of the five sides all enjoying successes. The U8C team kicked off proceedings with a trip to Aughrim yesterday and they put in their best performance of the season so far with an emphatic 4-0 win over the home side. Ryan O'Leary enjoyed a great game, netting twice. Eoin Quigley finished well when netting Town's third while Ben Kavanagh, receiving a long ball from Nathan Cullen on halfway, finished with aplomb to secure victory. The U8B's lost out 2-0 away at Ashford but can be pleased with the overall performance of the team. Town's U8D team put on a magnificent display when beating Aughrim Rangers B at the Leisure Centre. Jack O'Reilly netted the winner for Town, but in an overall fine team effort it was Josh Mills who shined brightest, enjoying an excellent performance, with Liam Moore not far behind. We have been reliably informed, by a mother no less, that all the mammies were looking fine on the line! We'll say no more...
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The U8E side enjoyed a good 3-1 win away at Aughrim Rangers C with Chris Makin netting twice and the other goal coming from John Boyle. The U8A team had a fine 3-0 win over Avonmore with birthday boy Conor Byrne netting twice. Liam Coleman netted a fantastic solo effort while at the back both Shane Mellon and Darragh Walker were excellent in maintaining Town's back line.
Mar 15 Good weekend for 8s
Sunday proved to be anything but a day of rest for our five under 8 sides, all competing earlier today in WDSL football. The U8A team welcomed Carnew A to the Leisure Centre and the two sides provided a highly entertaining game for those watching. Goals from Jacob Moody and Conor Breslin won the game for the home side but it was a very good team performance that proved most pleasing. The U8B's had a great win away at Greystones United, after losing to the same opponents at home last week. Jamie Redmond created the opening goal for Town, turning one way and then another before swinging in a great cross for Adam Rooney to head home. Town's back line of Andrew Maher, Jack Harris, Neil Dodd and Ben Kinsella were all defending well as the home side pressed for an equaliser and the away side were rewarded when Kian Bolger netted Town's second goal. The U8C's settled for a share of the spoils with Wolfe Tone A, with Eoin Quigley and Nathan Cullen on the scoresheet for Town. The U8D team had a fantastic win against Wolfe Tone's B team beforehand, with Sean Crowley, Jack O'Reilly (2), Thomas Lynch, man of the match Liam Moore and Dylan Murray firing Town to a 6-2 win. To crown Town's day, keeper Ben Fennell magnificently saved a penalty. The U8E team went down 3-1 at Carnew B in a tight game, with plenty of good football on view. Christopher Drohan netted for Town and Oran Walker was Town's man of the match, in a good performance.
Images from the U8A game against Carnew A:
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Mar 1 Honours even a second time
Arklow Town U8A and U8B sides played out an excellent 2-2 draw in front of an appreciative crowd at the Leisure Centre earlier today. Described by some as a humdinger of a game, the football and entertainment second to none as both sides, to put it mildly, had a right go at each other. Probably the best outcome for all, the A's netted through Conor Byrne and Liam Coleman while Jamie Redmond and Kian Bolger were on target for the B's. The U8C team motored on with a thumping 7-0 win over Greystones United at Woodlands. Nathan Cullen, not for the first time, bagged a hat trick. Other goals from Kyle Brody (2), Ryan O'Leary and Eoin Quigley. The U8D side suffered their first loss, away at Wicklow Rovers C. However, again it was a fine performance from the team as they continue to progress together. The U8E team were again winners, this time earning a 3-0 win on the road, away at Avonmore. A first half brace from Diarmuid McDonald put the team on their way - some great passing play from Ryan Whelan, Owen Coleman, Christopher Makin, Matthew Millar and John Fogarty a delight to watch. Oran Walker netted a third goal for Town with ten minutes to go, to crown a fine team performance.
Feb 15 Three 'n easy for A's
A good all-round performance from the U8A team in the excellent 3-1 win over Avonmore A at the Leisure Centre today. Town played some nice neat football with all the players contributing to the fine win. The U8A team have now found their level, having been regraded for Shield competition and games are now more evenly balanced, competitive and more exciting. The team has a tendency to be slow starters and the game against Avonmore was no exception. Town went one down after five minutes. However, they rallied, putting in a very good performance, to win the game 3-1. Bright lights were Liam Coleman, Jacob Moody in goal, Conor Breslin and Callum Randall.
Feb 14 Cracking win for new U8E team
Arklow Town U8E, the new team featuring players who graduated from the pre-Christmas 6s and 7s Club, secured their very first win in WDSL football with a great performance in a thrilling 4-3 win over a game Aughrim Rangers C team at the Leisure Centre earlier today. Town made a fantastic start with Chris Makin netting twice for the home side. Arklow increased their lead even further when Mikey O'Halloran touched home a Chris Makin strike. However, great credit to the Aughrim side as they stormed back into the tie with three goals. Amidst great excitement, the young Town team kept their composure and were rewarded with a win when Oran Walker fired home a screamer from outside the box - much to the delight of the support on the line. The U8D team were also in action, having been moved into the Blue section, and though facing tougher opposition, emerged with a creditable share of the spoils with Greystones United D. A wholehearted effort from the lads, with goals coming from Thomas Lynch, netting twice, once from the penalty spot and Sean Crowley.
Jan 27 The future's bright - the future's Orange!
A great day for the new U8E team on Saturday last with their very first match as a team, playing in the new U8 Orange 1 Shield Division against a very strong Carnew side. The team are all graduates of the highly successful 6s and 7s Club, having all gone through the ten week programme before Christmas. With the success of the Saturday morning 6s and 7s Club it was decided to put a new team together and enter the WDSL Shield competition, where the experience of playing proper football will no doubt stand them in good stead in time to come. The result against Carnew was always irrelevant, the team just delighted to be together playing their first 'proper' games, all fully kitted out in club gear. Hopefully, for all the players concerned, they will remember their first ever games for Arklow Town with fondness. Great to see an excellent turnout of parents and family to support the players. Their support can never be underestimated - long may it continue.
The new U8E team consists of the following players: Christopher Drohan, Michael O'Halloran, John Boyle, Caimin Kavanagh, John Murphy, Ryan Whelan, Oran Walker, Drew Millar, John Fogarty, Christopher Makin, Jay Kelly, Diarmuid McDonald and Chris Makin. The team is managed by Austin Walker and Cliff Whelan.
Nov 22 Last minute Cullen strike secures win for Town
Arklow Town U8C faced Coolboy earlier today in an exciting WDSL U8 Red division clash, at Coolboy, and both sides served up a feast of football to please everyone in attendance. Ben Kavanagh opened the scoring for Town in a see-saw game. Nathan Cullen had scored twice himself for the Arklow side, with the sides level at 3-3 in the last minute. With little time remaining Nathan scored again, to win the game for Town. Man of the match? Hard to pick as all the players played well! Meanwhile the U8A team went to Ballywaltrim in Bray to face a big Ardmore Rovers side and ended up well beaten, 7-0 the final scoreline. What that scoreline does not tell is how well the Arklow side played, the lads played their hearts out with the skills and dribbles that are being emphasised in training now starting to emerge in match games. The main difference in the two sides on the day, remarked manager Brendan Byrne, was that the Ardmore team were physically bigger than our lads. Closer to home, the youthful U8D side continued their winning ways in WDSL U8 Purple South, with a 4-0 win over visitors Carnew at the Leisure Centre. Carnew were short a number of players so Town agreed to allow a number of Arklow players 'guest' for the opposition! Thomas Lynch bagged two with further goals from Sean Crowley and Christopher Furlong.
Nov 16 D team keep the show on the road
Arklow Town U8D maintained their free scoring ways on their travels, away earlier today at Carnew. A tougher game than some recent fixtures, Town still rose to the challenge and passed with flying colours. Impossible to select a man of the match as every players more than played their part in a fine team performance. A 5-1 win was secured with goals coming from Thomas Lynch, who netted a hat trick, and one each from Jack O'Reilly and Joshua Mills. The U8B team endured frustration oncemore, sadly the third time this season thus far that their opponents have failed to appear for a fixture. On this occasion, it is perhaps worth recording that the team were once again well supported by parents and family alike, and having set up the pitch with goals, nets, corner flags etc., it was with a degree of annoyance that they had to take them all back down. And not for the first time this season. What price communication from other clubs when not intending on fulfilling designated fixtures? The U8A team ran into a brick wall, in the shape of Wicklow Rovers A, who were worthy 3-0 winners at the Leisure Centre.
Nov 2 A's strut their stuff in the Meadow while C's on top in derby win
Arklow Town U8A recorded their first win of the year with an impressive performance away at Enniskerry. Having persevered with a system of play alien to the players over the course of the opening games thus far it was a switch back to familiar roles that reaped dividends for the team. Town were literally camped in the home team's half for the first half and peppered the goal with efforts, some going narrowly wide. Darragh Walker put Town deservedly ahead with an excellent strike from outside the box. A deflected effort levelled matters and in an exciting second half, honours remained even until Sean Fox struck with eight minutes remaining, a lovely close touch finding the back of the Enniskerry net. Conor Breslin, Jake Kinsella and Liam Coleman earned the plaudits in a fine team performance. Meanwhile, Town's U8C side travelled to local rivals Arklow United for a derby clash at Ferndale Park. Again, an excellent performance from all the players - Ryan O'Leary, Oran Jameson, Mark Byrne, Eoin Quigley, Ben Kavanagh, Matthew Dempsey, Nathan Cullen, Kyle Brody, Daniel Durand - with Nathan bagging a hat trick to ease Town to a comfortable victory.
Oct 19 Hat trick hero Nathan seals it for the C team as D's held scoreless
Arklow Town U8C reversed their result against Aughrim Rangers A from last week with a hard fought 4-2 over their opponents at the Leisure Centre today. Nathan Cullen might well get the headlines with a hat trick but it was a true team effort with all the players putting in a fine performance. Aughrim raced into a first half two goal lead before Arklow came back with four unanswered goals. Kyle "Brad Friedel" Brody had an excellent game in goal as the C's got back to winning ways. Meanwhile, those free scoring children from the U8D team travelled to Greystones, with 31 goals scored in their two previous outings, to face 'Stones' U8F side. Hard to believe, but the sides played out a highly entertaining 0-0 draw - arguably a kind of game that will benefit the Town players all the more; as the players upped their work rate against stronger opponents than those faced this year.
Oct 18 A team see the continuing shoots of recovery
Even though defeated oncemore, there were visible signs of a team coming together as the U8A team faced a Greystones United A team that put nine past them seven days previously, at the Leisure Centre. Abandoning the system in place thus far this season, the team played in more recognised positions and the overall performance was evident. Town did lose the game, 2-1 to 'Stones, with Daniel Doyle converting Arklow's goal from the penalty spot. The U8B team welcomed Greystones' B team to the Leisure Centre and enjoyed a cracking game. A highly competitive encounter, nothing given by either side, it was a solitary strike from Town's Jamie Redmond that broke the deadlock, in Arklow's favour. A great game.
Oct 12 Untidy Town defeated in Aughrim
A tough game on a cold morning for Town's U8C side, facing hosts Aughrim Rangers at Allen Park. Town were very slow to start and soon found themselves two goals down. However, Town rallied, showing great spirit and team work, and a ding-dong battle was finely balanced at 3-3 when a number of poor decisions went against Town and the home side emerged 5-3 winners. Town scorers on the day were Ben Kavanagh, Matthew Dempsey and super sub Daniel Durand.
Oct 11 Goals reign in at the Leisure Centre
An exercise in futility for the U8D team, facing Enniskerry at the Leisure Centre this morning. The game was over before it got going, with Town netting at random. On the back of a 15-0 win last week all concerned will be hoping for a better standard of game over the coming weeks. Purely for the record, the Town goalscorers were as follows: Cian Quinn 4, Thomas Lynch 2, Joshua Mills 2, Sean Crowley 2, Ben Murphy, Jack O'Reilly, Dylan Murray, Christopher Furlong, Ben Fennell, James O'Brien. Meanwhile, away in Greystones, two fixtures between the home side and our own A and B teams. The A team, farcically, ended up playing the wrong opponents (a 'Stones U9 side!) for best part of fifteen minutes before the error was realised.
They ended up, when playing their correct opponents, a well beaten side, though Liam Coleman did fire home a nice goal. The U8B team came back from one down to defeat their Greystones counterparts - Andrew Maher and Cian Bolger netting for the Town side.
Oct 5 Honours even in local derby
A first taste of derby action earlier today for our U8C team, welcoming Arklow United to the Leisure Centre. The match was pretty much end to end right from the off and had a bit of everything. Town's goals were scored by Eoin Quigley, and a fierce unstoppable shot from Nathan Cullen as the two sides finished level 2-2. Town could have nicked all three points but for a fantastic penalty save from the United keeper. The U8B team were without a game this weekend as Newtown failed to travel to Arklow for their game. The U8A team gave Enniskerry a good run for the money, losing out by the odd goal in a five goal thriller - Jacob Moody and Darragh Walker the scorers for Town.
Sep 28 Town's newest side kick off season in emphatic style
St. Patrick's 0 Arklow Town's U8D 15. Yes, that reads fifteen. F-i-f-t-e-e-n. The graduates from last season's 6s and 7s Club entered WDSL action for the first time earlier today, away in Conary playing St. Patrick's. A cracking team performance regardless of the final result, with every player adding a contribution to the performance. ThomasLynch netted four times with Ben Murphy, Sean Crowley and Joshua Mills all bagging two goals apiece. Further goals came from Christopher Furlong, Liam Moore, James O'Brien and Dylan Murray. Meanwhile, back at the Leisure Centre, the U8A team once again put in a very good performance despite the result going against them. Liam Coleman was on target in a 4-1 reverse against St. Anthony's A.
Sep 27 Town's six-shooters on fire
Arklow Town's U8B side continued their fine opening to their WDSL U8 White division campaign with a comfortable 6-0 win over Wicklow Town A at the Leisure Centre earlier today. Andrew Maher and Cian Bolger, both on the scoresheet last weekend, when Town defeated Wicklow Rovers, were also again on the scoresheet. Maher bagged a hat-trick, with Bolger netting twice. David Kealy and Adam Rooney converted the other goals as Town ended convincing winners.
Sep 21 Three is the magic number for Bs and Cs
Despite the scoreline, Arklow Town U8As were satisfied with an impressive performance when facing Wicklow Rovers A at The Hockey Pitch in Wicklow. Liam Coleman put in, again, an excellent performance as Town continued to apply themselves to a structured playing system that will, eventually, pay dividends. Andrew Maher was on the mark twice and Cian Bolger added a third as Town's B side, also facing Wicklow Rovers (B), won deservedly, 3-0 in a game also played at The Hockey Pitch. Andrew's second goal in particular was a lovely finish, cutting in from the right flank, on the edge of the box, one look up and a perfectly placed strike beyond the outstretched arm of the home keeper, into the net. The new U8C team were equally as impressive when entertaining Greystones United C at the Leisure Centre. Ben Kavanagh opened the scoring for Town, breaking from midfield and after beating his marker he slotted home under the advancing Greystones keeper. Matthew Dempsey added a second for Town soon after and just on half time Town had a chance to increase their advantage but a superb save from the 'Stones keeper denied Kyle Brody from the penalty spot. Ben Kavanagh, man of the match today, added his second and Town's third with a great individual effort.
Sep 14 Opening day success for C team
A number of Arklow Town U8 sides took their first proper footballing steps over the weekend, with the beginning of the WDSL season. Unfortunately, both Town B and D sides were not in action, their games postponed so the honour of being the first U8 side to face action fell to the U8C side, when facing Coolboy at the Leisure Centre. The team did very well, considering they were short in numbers. Some nice footwork from Matthew Dempsey saw Town open the scoring. Kyle Brody doubled Arklow's lead in the second half with a nice strike from a tight angle. Ryan O'Leary then played in Kyle for his second goal, and Town's third. Coolboy pulled on back late on but with time running out a nice one-two between Matthew Dempsey and Kyle Brody saw Kyle rounding the keeper to complete his hat-trick and secure a nice 4-1 victory for Arklow Town. The U8A side faced Ardmore Rovers A directly afterwards and a good match was played between the sides, the visitors emerging 3-1 victors. A very good all round display by Arklow Town, with two outstanding performances in each half. Daniel Doyle was man of the match in the first half and despite the scoreline a brilliant display by Sean Fox in goal for the second half.
Aug 6 Squads named for new season
U8A – Shane Mellon, Jake Kinsella, Tom Scales, Jacob Moody, Sean Fox, Liam Coleman, Conor Breslin, Luke Delaney, Darragh Walker, Joshua Kaye, Daniel Doyle, Conor Byrne, Callum Randall. Managers: Tony Breslin, Brendan Byrne, Keith Delaney.
U8B – David Kealy, Ben Kinsella, Dylan Walker, Aaron Dalton, Adam Rooney, Jack Flynn, Jamie Redmond, Neil Dodd, Conor Roche, Cian Bolger, Andrew Maher, Jack White, Jack Harris. Managers: Alan Redmond, Stephen Byrne.
U8C – Lennon McGurk, Keith Bentley, Matthew Dempsey, Ben Kavanagh, Ryan O’Leary, Kyle Brody, Mark Byrne, Daniel Durand, Nicole Dalton, Oran Jameson, Nathan Cullen, Owen Quigley, Owen Mooney, Cian Murphy. Managers: Declan Strahan.
U8D – Christopher Furlong, Cian Quinn, Jack O’Reilly, Joshua Mills, Liam Moore, Sean Crowley, James O’Brien, Ben Murphy, Dylan Murray, Ben Fennell, Brian Fennell, Thomas Lynch, Michael O’Reilly, Ben Muhli. Managers: Alistair Crowley, Owen Moore, Matthew O’Reilly.