A generally very successful weekend for our community based soccer club Maree/Oranmore FC kindly sponsored by the Galway Clinic.
Irish Cup, Connacht and local Cup and League action were the order of the day with a plethora of club sides in action not forgetting many of our academy kids taking part in our club organised St Columbas Credit Union Invitational Tournament last Sunday.
The clubs Youth side put in a magnificent performance in the FAI u18 quarter final against last years u17 National champions Tramore afc in Co Waterford but went down agonisingly on a 1-0 scoreline. The game on an immaculate surface saw the Maree/Oranmore lads dominate the second half after going down 1-0 after 9 minutes. There were near efforts from Jack Morrissey and Ben Creaven after excellent support play from the hardworking Alex Fearon , Alan Greene,Rory Carberry with Oisin Smith and Princewell Diala impressing on the park and Daniel O Neill imposing between the posts while Ronan Hanniffy put in a very fine shift.
With countless chances it was not to be with that early strike from aptly named Tramore striker Favour Eddy to put Tramore into the National semi finals.Thanks to Tramore afc for their hospitality and to the large support in attendance.Our u18 Premier side still top their division and are looking forward to a good local cup run with an eye on silverware which is deserved for this hardworking squad.The u18 Div 1 side are also challenging for silverware.
It was a great weekend for our u12 Premier side in the Connacht Cup who defeated Mayo kingpins Castlebar Celtic on a 2-1 scoreline in Oranmore on Saturday last.Both goals were of top calibre courtesy of Eanna Costello and Colm Whelan.These lads will be hoping to get to an u12 connacht cup final achieved by the club in 2013,but a semi final awaits first.We wish them the best.
The u15 Premier side played superbly last Saturday to defeat Kilshanvey Utd 5-0 and in the process move into second place in a tight League.Among the scorers were James Whelan,Morgan Morrin,Conal Doyle and Isaque Felicio in an overall fine squad effort.The u12 division 1 side went down 1-0 to Kinvara Utd away after squandering many chances.The u16 Div 1 side advanced in the Cup defeating Colga FC B 1-0 in Oranmore with Cillian Cawley netting.The u14 girls on Sunday received a walkover from a badly depleted Moyne Villa B side.The u13 Premier side were disappointed to go down 1-0 at home to a fine Knocknacarra fc side.
At adult level,our Premier mens side drew 1-1 with Galway Hibernians in Bohermore in the Premier League with Brendan Tully scoring from a super free kick while the adult mens reserve side defeated Mervue 3-2 in Fahys Field with goals from James Cahalane,Declan O Dea and Rob Mangan.
Great crowds once more at Sundays St Columbas Invitational Tournament where the emphasis as always is on fun and skills development in a non competitive environment.In the u11 development League Joe Dillon and Brian OConnors side had a fine run out against our friends in Kiltullagh Pioneers in the Oranmore cages on Saturday afternoon.
Parents are reminded that once more this year your childs soccer club will take part in the Oranmore St Patricks Day Parade,please tog your child in our full club kit and meet at entrance to Oran Town Centre at 1pm this Saturday March 17th as there will be no training due to our participation in our local parade.Treats after for all the kids.All boys and girls u6 to u10 and their parents are very welcome.
Sincere thanks to our good friend and Oranmore soccer stalwart Rob Duffy who secured sponsorship of Training tops for both of our Youths squads courtesy of the excellent Applegreen on the Tuam Road.Thanks also to Lorraine Montgomery for all her assistance.Well done Rob who promoted the game so well in those early years when the game was kept alive by just a few.
Best wishes to David Mc Carthy,an invaluable long serving club u17/u18 player who has picked up a serious knee injury while training with his team mates.A gentleman, we wish David a speedy recovery and we are all thinking of him.