Erris United Football Cub

Iorras Aontaithe picked up the club of the month award for April 09 and a voucher for 50 Euro from Elvery Sports, at the Mayo league Dinner Dance in Castlebar on Friday evening 29th January.  The teams of the year were also announced with defender, David Reilly named in the Super league team of the year, the club Chairman accepted the award on his behalf.  The Guest Speaker was former Irish International, Liverpool great and now TV pundit, Ray Houghton. We would welcome suggestion as to what the club should buy with the voucher, comments please.

Its a case of homeward bound for the winner of the 5th round of the F.A.I. Junior Cup clash of Iorras Aontaithe v Carrick United, in the sixth round draw, which was made recently. The winner will face ether Douglas Hall of Cork, WFTA F.C. of Finglas or  St. Laurence Gate of Drogheda. The game v Carrick United will be played on Sunday 7th with kick-off at high noon, 12.00

Iorras Aontaithe/Erris United over 35’s have gone top of there section in the Masters League after they scored a late penalty against Ballyvary B.B. on Wednesday night the 27th. With two first half goals from Michael S. Togher and Michael John Nallen, it remained 2-nil at the break. But in the second half Ballyvary levelled the score, and with the clock ticking down, Iorras were awarded a penalty when Harry Reilly was foiled in the box and Martin Boylin sealed the points for the Erris men. The over 35 side has done very well over the past number of weeks in the Masters League. Well done to all. Those involved in the  over 35 panel are clocking over 200km every week to be part of this competition.

Iorras Aontaithe/Erris United are through to the fifth and open round of the F.A.I. Junior cup coming from behind with spirit and determination  away to Super League rivals Manulla, in a very exciting encounter on Sunday 24th January.  Iorras first half performance wasn’t up to their usual best and they found themselves a goal behind on 24 minutes when a Manulla cross from the edge of the area deceived Iorras defender, David Reilly leaving the Manulla striker to shoot past the Iorras keep.   Iorras were unlucky not to have levelled soon afterwards when Garrett O’Malley found space in front of goal but his effort was blocked and a Brendan Nallen effort minutes later hit the cross bar. It remained 1 nil at the break.

Iorras were a different prospect in the second half going 3-4-3.  A Garrett O’Malley effort hot the bottom of the post midway through the half and with the introduction of Shane Nallen, Jonathan Donohue and the Player-Manager Eric O’Reilly Iorras looked the better outfit. On the 8oth minute Eric O’Reilly passed to Shane Nallen who then provided a great cross to the far post were his brother Brendan scored with a downward header it was a will deserved equalizer. Then on 82 minutes a long range kick out from Enda Conroy, the Iorras Keeper, had the Manulla keeper at six’s and seven’s, and with Ivan Barrett also to contend with, the ball ended up in the net. Iorras had their backs to the wall for the closing minutes. It was a very good spirited display all-round from Erris United especially in the second half.

Iorras Aontaithe are now at home against the winners of this competition back in 2008, Carrick United from Waterford, on Sunday 7th February with a 12 noon kick-off and if they show the same spirit and determination they will be in this competition for some time to come.

TEAM. Enda Conroy, Kenny O’Connor, David Reilly, Henry Gaughan, Neil Geraghty, Anthony Mills, Sean Gaughan, Brendan Nallen, Micky Togher, Garrett O’Malley Ivan Barrett. Subs. Shane Nallen, Jonathan Donohue and Eric O’Reilly.

The Iorras Aontaithe/Erris United over 35 were on the rampage in the Master League clash against Ballyheane on Wednesday night 20th on a 12-3 score line. It was 5-nil at the break. The scores were Eric Reilly (3), Harry Reilly (3), Pat Murphy (2), Martin Boylan (2) and one each from Tom Gruddy and Michael S. Togher.

PANEL. Eric Reilly, Harry Reilly, Michael S. Togher, Tom Gruddy, Pat Murphy, Martin Boylan, Anthony Duffy, Gerry Lavelle, Micky Dixon, Michael John Nallan.

The Mayo League Management Committee has pleased a blanket cancellation on all fixtures scheduled for Sunday 10th January. The F.A.I.Junior Cup clash away to Manulla will be played on the 24th. Home advantage should have returned to Iorras, but this is not the case, much to the displeasure of Iorras Aontaithe/Erris United.

The Club will hold it’s Annual General Meeting on Saturday evening the 16th January in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel starting at 6.30pm. A full attendance would be very much appreciated.

Due to the severe cold spell that we are all experiencing,  this Saturday 3rd clash with Iorras Aontaithe at home to Super League opponents, Manulla, in the 4th round of the F.A.I. Junior Cup  is called off. The game has now been pencilled in for Sunday 10th January with Iorras losing home advantage, with kick-off at the same time.

Training will be at the usual time Tuesday night, and unless you’ve been struck down by some hideous infectious disease over the festive period, your absence will not be excused and bring a woolly cap, stiletto heels, red lipstick and fish net tights a donkey jacket and silver king Wellingtons.

The Club had its annual Christmas get together on Sunday evening 20th. Club Officers, Committee members and Senior players had a night on the town to reflect on the year past and the battle ahead. It was great to see former club greats join in on the party atmosphere, hero’s of the past, who are now involved in the Masters League. The big talking points was the new Masters league and the new found interest that it is creating and  naming  the best eleven, that has played for the Club over the past 25 years.

If you would like to name your best eleven please do so in the comment section and the reason why the player is included. Iorras Aontaithe/Erris United would like to wish all its members/supporters/sponsors and to all the over 50 thousand visitors to the club website over the past year from home and abroad, a very happy Christmas and prosperous new year.

The F.A.I. Junior Cup clash with Manulla at home has been postponed until January 3rd.  There will be a training  session at 4.15pm on Sunday, no excuses, with soup and sandwiches in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel afterwards at 6.00pm with a disco by P.J. the DJ, “oops sorry” scratch that disco.