Erris United Football Cub

Erris Under 12’s were away to Killala in the Connaucht Cup. After ten minutes Erris were 1-0 down. A young inexperienced team may have panicked at this stage but this group of seasoned professionals regrouped, refocused and recited a few prayers. One passage of play saw 6 chances saved by Killala in 40 seconds until Adam Conroy blasted home. 1-1 at half time.

Iorras U12's, goal fest V Killala.

Erris were confident they could perform better, they didn’t know they were going to be this much better.
Erris scored seven goals without reply in the second half. Dara Dixon scored a hat trick and asked the Killala manager could he keep the ball. Ciaran Cawley came off the bench to score the eighth. Matthew Togher hit the crossbar from 30 yards. Molly had a perfectly good goal ruled out as she was ‘offside’. Adam had another perfectly good goal ruled out as Molly was ‘offside’, this led to Molly having a heated debate with the referee, “I DIDN’T TOUCH THE BALL, I WASN’T ACTIVE”, referee McCay wasn’t going to change his mind. Daithi Cosgrove and Dylan Togher scored as well.
Dylan was also involved in the most beautiful goal seen since Carlos Alberto’s in the World Cup Final of 1970. Dylan collected the ball on the left wing and evaded four challenges as he ran across the pitch on the edge of the box. “Where is he going” the Erris lads asked as Dylan brought a trail of defenders with him. With all the cunning of the magician Dynamo, Dylan gently back heeled the ball to Adam Conroy. “Where did the ball go?” asked the Killala lads as Adam took one step and curled the ball into the top corner from 19 yards. Simply stunning.
The only sour note of the evening was Padraic Meenaghan losing a tooth. He was eating chewits on the way down as Derek hit a bump in the road just outside Ballycastle.
Final score them 1 us 8. Thank you to the supporters who travelled.

Erris Under 12’s had a long trip to Swinford (on a school night) and they secured all three points, but only just.
Swinford started the better with Erris struggling to control the ball. Keeper Ben Shevlin was called into action several times. The midfield struggled to impose themselves on the game as their ticcy taccy style was snuffed out by the home team. Eventually, Erris resorted to the oldest trick in the book as Peter Walsh at centre back gave the ball a good old wallop up the pitch. The ball cleared the high defensive line as Adam Conroy found himself with only the keeper to beat. He steadied himself, picked his spot, wiped the hair out of his eyes and slipped it past the keeper.

This win confirmed that Erris Under 12 finished second in their division. Hurray. Well done.

Three minutes later Conroy netted again as the long ball up the pitch set him free once more. Two nil up at half time is a bad lead.
A scrappy second half saw too many chances wasted and not enough teamwork. Padraic Gaughan at left back was Man of the Match.
Last week we brought your attention to Peter Walsh at centre back going off on mazy runs. Well he was at it again with one of the most remarkable goals ever seen. He won a tackle in his own half and headed for goal, via every blade of grass in their half. He evaded 12 tackles, in a run which lasted 2 minutes 33 seconds, without ever seeming to have the ball fully under control, eventually he found himself reasonably near the goal and bull topped it as hard as he could, low into the corner. Unsaveable, and harsh on Swinford who deserved more out of a game that Erris won 0-3.
Managers Harry and Des claim that all they do in training is short passing using the side of the foot. Two long balls and a bulltop won this game, Van Gaal should take note.
Other highlights include Peter going round in circles with the ball searching for his left foot, like a puppy trying to catch his tail. Dara getting flattened by Amy (Dara quite enjoyed it). The singsong on the bus (Des and Harry didn’t enjoy it). Darren and Jack one twoing down the pitch together. Adam and Conor in the shop like a married couple, one holding the basket with the other filling it up with groceries.
This win confirmed that Erris Under 12 finished second in their division. Hurray. Well done.
Top row Peter, Ben, Des.
Bottom row Darren McDonnell, Molly, Dylan Togher, Conor Barrett, Matthew Togher, Dara Dixon, Padraic Gaughan, Cillian Reilly, Oliver Deane, Billy O’Connor, Daithi Cosgrove, Adam Conroy, Jack Deane.

New records were set in Carne Nash this evening as the Under 12’s played a very determined Swinford FC.
After years of the club being dominated by Reillys, tonight the O’Connors staked a claim for a new era at the club as for the first time in the history of the world a sister and a brother scored for the same team.
After a tight opening fifteen minutes, Molly O’Connor turned in the box and fired home to open the scoring. Unused to a girl scoring the lads didn’t know whether to hug her, kiss her or shake her hand. Either way it didn’t matter as nobody could catch her as she ran off in celebration.
Dara Dixon had his GoFast boots on again tonight and couldn’t be caught as he added a second. Then he went for a dance around the corner flag.
Billy O’Connor wasn’t to be outdone by his sister as he picked his spot in the bottom corner to make it three nil at half time.
The Swinford goalkeeper made some great saves in the second half but eventually the pressure told as Dara grabbed his second of the night and Cillian Reilly got the minutest and finest and microfinitesimal of touches from a Matthew Togher corner to make it five. Cillian also wanted to show that the Reilly’s haven’t gone away you know.
Ben Shevlin in goal was like a minature Neuer as he swept outside the box. Conor Barrett and Peter Walsh were like nightclub bouncers, nobody getting past them. Eoin Walsh and Padraic Gaughan stopped any threat coming in from wide positions. The midfield of Billy, Matthew, Dara and Oliver Deane were creating works of art with time and space while Cillian and Molly provided more excitement than if One Direction were to play for Mayo.
The subs of Michael Lavelle, Ciaran Cawley, Jack Deane, Padraic Meenaghan, Dylan Togher and Mark Walsh all impressed the managers and Des and Harry will have a huge selection headache for the next game.
In the meantime, it’s time to start practicing your sore tummys and your “I don’t feel well” speeches. It’s Back to School Babies!!!

League leaders Straide & Foxford played Erris Under 12’s on Tuesday evening the 20th and ran out comfortable winners to cement their place at the top.

Coach, Des with his dedicated young heroes, Back L-R; Michael, Ciaran, Molly, Darren, Oliver, Ben, Peter, Conor, Dara, Sean, Jack, Des. Front L-R; Eoin, Cillian, Billy, Padraic, Dylan, Matthew, Padraic.

Managers Des and Harry take full responsibility for the loss but the funfair in town was taking a bit of the blame too. At times we resembled bumper cars colliding into each other, we were on the aviator so often we didn’t know which way we were kicking and for long periods we were as flat as a bouncy castle with a faulty generator.
S&F took an early lead, Dylan Togher, Cillian Reilly and Dara Dixon had chances to score but the majority of our time was spent defending against a very good team.
Conor Barrett gave us some hope with a 30 yard screamer which lifted the crowd in the stand. We did share 7 goals, and Erris scored 3 of them, unfortunately 2 of them were own goals. Final score us 1 them 6.
All the subs got a run and it was great fun, but with the funfair gone, Its down now to the serious business of the next match.
This Friday, after the Duck Race, Erris Under 12’s are at home to Swinford at 7 in the biggest game of the season. You better have a very good reason for not being there.
It’s also the last match before we are BACK TO SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!! Where did that summer go?

club Coach Eric O'Reilly has the young kids on their toes at the Club Sponsored Soccer evening as part of the Belmullet festival week.

Thanks to all who took part in the Belmullet festival Iorras Aontaithe Sponsored Fun soccer Evening in the town playground on Wednesday evening,nearly 50 kids took part and all looking forward to next year.

Club Coach John Keane has the young talent in all formations at the Club Sponsored event.

Thanks to Iorras Aontaithe coaches,Harry Reilly,Paul Reilly,Eric O’ Reilly, Sean Walsh, John Keane and Padraig Reilly for running an excellent event.

Iorras u14s had a superb 2.1 win over a very good Knock/Kiltimagh side in Carnenash on Wednesday evening 13th, in a evenly balanced game Iorras came out on top with a first half penalty by Evan Ivers after Evan had been pulled down himself heading for goal midway through the first half,although the sides went in level at half time Iorras added to the scoreline in the second half with a 25 Yard piledriver by Luke o Reilly after some excellent play by Caolan Walker.
Owen Mchale was rock solid in goals,full backs John Linehan &f Luke McWilliams pushed forward at every chance to help our speedy wingers Eamon Fallon and Caolan Walker,centre mids Luke o Reilly and Shea o Donoghue won the battle against a physical kk duo,up front Cormac Murray and Evan Ivers gave the kk defence a torrid time with great play and direct running,subs Ethan Healy,Matthew Sullivan and Gabriel and Mark Harding hit the ground running and helped close out the win for Iorras.

All the soccer stars of the future turned out recently at the Sean Davis Soccer Academy held at Erris United FC.

Sean Davis Soccer School were all enjoyed a week of football fun on its recent visit to Iorras Aontaithe 2014

Boys and Girls aged 5 to 17 years enjoyed the excellent weather conditions and the superb coaching on offer from quality F.A.I. and European coaches.  Sean reminded everyone at the Presentation of Awards that his Academy will return to Belmullet in Easter 2015. Continue reading “NEVER MIND THE WORLD CUP”

Erris Utd Under 12’s made the long trek to Ballinrobe despite missing some key players through injury and holidays. Erris dominated for much of the game but couldn’t convert any of their chances. Dara Dixon hit the crossbar with a free kick as Erris were camped in the Ballinrobe half.
Erris were to suffer for their profligacy as Ballinrobe broke up the pitch and with their first attack scored an unsaveable top corner belter. One nil at half time.
Manager Des was visibly upset at the break as he informed the lads that he felt that they could perform somewhat better. In fact he was so distracted he forgot to share the Jaffa Cakes which were sponsored by Shevlin Engineering.
The second half continued with Erris living in the Ballinrobe box. A penalty was awarded to Erris but Dara saw his effort rebound off the crossbar. Dara insisted on the goal being measured as he felt it was smaller than FIFA regulations.
Erris were wonderful in the second half and did absolutely everything but score. A big effort for an equaliser left Erris exposed at the back and they conceded a second with the last kick of the game, manager Des took full responsibility for that one.
The optima stats show that Erris had 97.5 % of the possession in the game, 12 corners, 54 shots, 36 on target but no goals. There were at least 11 shots on goal from 18 inches out or less, which were all blocked. Des cried all the way home.
Congratulations to Ballinrobe who took their chances well. If you can hear a constant thumping sound at home then that is Des’s fault as well. The lads were given homework of thumping the ball against the gable of the house as hard as they can, instead of trying to tippy tappy it over the line.
Sure the house needed painting anyway.
Team: Ben Shevlin, Matthew Togher, Oliver Deane, Billy O’Connor, Conor Barrett, Dara Dixon, Eoin Walsh, Ciaran Cawley, Daithi Cosgrove, Adam Conroy, Dylan Togher, Sean Lavelle, Jack Deane, Darren McDonnell, Molly O’Connor.

Youth football at Erris United is always making headlines and great success. Recently the U17’s were crowned Divisions one League Champions.

Erris United U17's League Division one Champions 2014

Congratulations to Iorras Aontaithe U15’s they were crowned Division one League champions this afternoon in Milebush and their Manager, Eric.

Erris United U15's, talent in the making and a Divisional crown, great stuff.

Iorras u15s were crowned Mayo division one league champions after a penalty shoutout win over an excellent Claremorris side in sun blessed Milebush this evening with flashbacks to the World Cup with water breaks midway through the halfs.
Iorras came out on top 6.5 in the shoot out after the game finished 3.3 aet.A Mikey Conroy double and one from Evan Ivers gave Iorras a 3.2 half time lead,the first a superb free kick to the top corner by Mikey.

Captain David Padden receiving the Division One Shield.

Minutes after half time Iorras were hit with a double blow being reduced to ten men after an off the ball incident,and also losing midfielder Ciaran Ivan to injury,
Claremorris equalized within minutes but from then on Iorras were superb repelling everything Claremorris threw at them with steady hands from goalkeeper Shane Togher,defenders Leo Howard, Fionnan Ryan,Aran Reilly and substitute John Linehan,outstanding,centre midfield duo luke o Reilly and Johnny Harding kept driving Iorras forward at every chance,wingers Evan Ivers and Keith Kennedy worked there socks off helping out and Mikey Conroy ploughed a lone furrow up front occupying the 4 defenders,it wasn’t all back to the walls and and Iorras created good chances them selves clipping the crossbar twice during the second half.no goals added in extra time,
And so to the dreaded shootout,successfull from the spot were Mikey,Evan,Fionnan,Aran,Luke,Leo and ,despite Iorras missing two penalties Shane Togher was the hero saving 3 from Claremorris.

TEAM,Shane Togher,Keith Kennedy,Leo Howard,Fionnan Ryan,David Padden,Eoin McDonnell,Aran Reilly,Luke o Reilly,Ciaran Ivan,Johnny Harding,Mikey Conroy,Evan Ivers,John Linehan,Dara Lennon,Ethan Heal