Erris United Football Cub

Erris United 2014 Under 12’s made their home debut in front of a huge crowd against Ballyheane on a glorious Friday evening.
A very tight midfield battle led to few chances, but the deadlock was broken by a goal that could be hung in an art gallery. Conor Barrett caressed a goal kick 40 yards out to Dara Dixon. Dara killed it with his first touch, turned and took off down the right wing like Ryanair flight FR842.

Erris United U12 with their Manager Des.

He took the ball all the way to the dead ball line before drilling in a cross. Adam Conroy made a run across the goal bringing all the defenders with him. This left a space for Cillian Reilly with a gut busting run from midfield to thwump it home. The Beautiful game.
One nil up at half time but a lot of these legs had been going all week at Cul Camp. A lot done, but more to do.
Ballyheane attacked with gusto in the second half but Erris held firm. The back four were calm and assured. Keeper Ben Shevlin was very confidently letting shots run wide of the post while managers Des and Harry were having mild cardiac events. Sean Lavelle came off the bench to freshen up the attack and when the ball fell to him 2 feet out he masterblasted it home. Final score Erris 2 Ballyheane 0.
The Ballyheane goalkeeper was fantastic, with one particular clearance he punched the ball into the car park while knocking Daithi Cosgrove into the middle of next week.
Thank you to the home support for getting behind the lads, if we make much more noise the local residents will be writing their objections to the mayor. Keep it up.

Erris Under 14’s played at home this  evening the 23rd July to Castlebar Celtic. A combination of holidays, the bog and girlfriends meant that many of first team players were absent but this was a fantastic performance. Robert Barrett volunteered to go in goal and made numerous fantastic saves. Captain John Linehan and Iarluir Reilly were outstanding at full back while in the centre of defence Niall Murphy and Fionnan Ryan were busier than a postman on Xmas eve but coped admirably with Celtic’s attacks.
The midfield of Matthew Walsh, Ceolan Walker, Shea O’Donohue and Eamon Fallon were tremendous, despite many of them giving away a huge height advantage. Up front Evan Ivers and Dara Padden chased everything and gave Celtic’s defence plenty to think about.
Erris went one nil down but Fionnan brought them back into the game with one of the greatest free kicks ever seen in Carne Nash (think of the David Luiz one in the World Cup). Scores level at half time and Erris created chances but with ten minutes to go a breakaway for Celtic led to a misdirected cross which unfortunately hit one of our players and bounced into our net. In our attempt to get an equaliser we left ourselves exposed at the back. The three subs of Ethan Healy, Danial Lally and Mikey Ginnelly were unable to make an impact, despite their best efforts.
Final score Erris 1 Celtic 4.
Man of the match Fionnan said he was delighted with the way the lads adapted to new positions and everyone gave 110%. Interim manager Des was taking full responsibility for the loss, stating that it was an outstanding performance and the lads couldn’t have given any more.
On a lighter note. Arjen Robben has a lot to answer for as there were two yellow cards in the match for simulation. There is a new sign on the bridge in town saying ‘No Diving’, maybe we should put one up back at the pitch?

From Little Acorns…..
The 2014 Erris United under 12’s played their first ever game tonight away to Straide & Foxford.
It is always a shock to the system when you step up from 4v4 on small pitches to 11v11 on a full size pitch. The pre match nerves weren’t helped by the long bus journey, the midges or the fumes from the waste treatment plant at pitch side.
Erris raced into a two goal deficit before they settled and then went toe to toe with their opponents. Ben Shevlin made a fantastic debut in goal and saved everything that was within reaching distance, and some that weren’t. Unfortunately, great big goals and small players means some will go in that just can’t be saved.
The older boys (2003’s) did a great job minding the young bucks. The 2004’s all impressed and staked a claim for starting the next day. Peter Walsh was man of the match in a game where everyone excelled. Cillian Reilly scored a volley, Conor Barrett nearly burst the net with his goal. Padraic Gaughan scored our third and Daithi Cosgrove deposited a penalty with a click of the heels and a silly dance.
Not that it matters but although we scored four, they scored seven. We had a female referee so we played Molly in the hope that the sisters would look after each other and we might get a soft penalty. Not a sniff. The only sniff was that from the treatment plant. Manager Harry was running the line on that side and almost needed resuscitating.
Anyway. Everybody got a run, everybody did their best, we were all grateful to get the chance to play and all looking forward to doing it all again next week. Thank you to all who travelled.
Back Left to Right. Manager Des, Conor Barrett, Peter Walsh, Daithi Cosgrove, Padraic Gaughan, Billy O’Connor, Oliver Deane, Dara Dixon.
Front Cillian Reilly, Eoin Walsh, Adam Conroy, Molly O’Connor, Jack Deane, Matthew Togher, Darren McDonnell, Ben Shevlin.

If the referee is wearing track suit bottoms, two jerseys and a jacket, it must be summer football in Erris. Erris Under 13’s were at home to Ballyglass on Friday, and the away team left a sweltering Castlebar to play in a perishing Carne Nash. Shea O’Donohue was the Zip who got the fire going, tearing up the right wing to set up Eamon Fallon for the first goal after 29.65 seconds. Shea could have scored soon after but set up his team mate. If you heard a strange roar about 7.15 this evening, that was Diarmuid O’Donnell celebrating his third goal of the season. The third goal of the match soon followed with Daithi Cosgrove hitting the net and celebrating with his ‘C1’ celebration; happy birthday Cónán. The fourth goal was a cracker to the bottom corner from Shea. Dead ball specialist Eoin McHale was unfortunate not to score with two well struck free kicks.
Four nil is a bad lead at half time. Ballyglass were keen to get back in the match and pinned Erris back, determined defending was needed. Luke McWilliams didn’t want to miss out on the action and scored, unfortunately it was an own goal and a Ballyglass belter from outside the box made it 4-2. Erris had chances though as ‘Hawkeye’ was needed for the second week running, Dara Padden hit both posts with the same shot, but it didn’t cross the line. Rest assured there is no need to panic when you have men like Eamon Fallon in the team, he picked the ball up at halfway, slalomed through the opposition and slotted it under the keeper. Game over at 5-2.
Manager Harry is going for Erris Manager of the Month as this was his third win on the trot. This was a massive team effort as all the squad got a run. Everyone rushed home to shower and snuggle up in front of the fire with a hot chocolate and a packet of biscuits. Thanks to all the supporters, especially those who got out of their cars on a shocking evening.
After the match the lads wanted to dedicate this win to their buddy who is currently on his holidays in Castlebar, Get Well Soon, PG.

Erris United Under 13’s were at home to Snugboro on Friday evening and put in a performance that would not be out of place in the Brazil World Cup this summer. Manager Harry was able to put out all his squad and everyone of them played as if their life depended on it. Shea O’Donohue opened the scoring, Diarmuid O’Donnell scored his second in two games and Eoin McHale curled in a free kick from 20 yards. Half time and 3-0 up.

Erris United U13's

Erris were determined not to concede in the second half. McHale and Niall Murphy didn’t miss a tackle, Gabriel Harding and Iarluir Reilly stemmed every attack from the wings, Luke McWilliams in goal was bravely blocking every shot. Man of the Match Eamonn Fallon combined strength, guile and tactical awareness to boss the midfield. Mark Harding settled the nerves to make it four nil but a late consolation wiped out the clean sheet bonus. Not that it matters but Erris won this game 4-1. This is the first league game they have ever won. Ever. In two seasons. First Ever Win. Massive. The photo shows the team making a presentation of a Get Well card to Daragh Dixon who broke his arm this week. Thank you to all the supporters. Just in case I didn’t mention it earlier, this was their first ever win. Well done all.

Seamus O'Malley, great opening effort on 55 minutes for Erris B

It was smiles all- round as Iorras Aontaithe (B) got their new season in Premier (B) off on a 2-nil away win to Castlebar Celtic (C) on Sunday 13th April. It was 0-0 at the break but in the second half Erris B upped their game and on 55 minutes Seamus O’Malley scored with an excellent effort from all of 40 yards.

Jamie Flannery, made it two for Iorras B with an excellent first senior goal on 89 minutes.

Then as the clock was ticking down, Jamie Flannery scored his first senior goal for the Club with another excellent individual effort, receiving the ball just inside his own area and scoring after completing a great run to the corner of the net. On another point of note, Erris Keeper Phelim Munnelly was excellent between the sticks. Final score: Castlebar Celtic C 0 Erris United B 2

Wow. The football season is back and Erris Under 13 kicked off the campaign away to Ballyglass.

Erris United U13

The joy was immense among these young men to be out on a pitch again in the Red and Black and having fun, fun, fun. Two debutants made a huge impact with Man of the Match Luke McWilliams in goal and Dara Padden scoring a screamer from 15 yards. Shea O’Donoghue scored a second goal with a very clever free kick. Matthew Walsh nearly got the goal he deserved but hit the post as the opposition scrambled it clear, (again).17 players got a run with everyone giving their all and managers Harry and Des could not be prouder. Oh, by the way, not that it matters but unfortunately Ballyglass scored 3 times, while we only scored twice. We did enjoy it though, we were grateful that we were able to play, and we can’t wait to get the chance to do it all again.

A big thank you to all who contributed/supported the Club Church gate Collections recently, to the Club members for there assistants with helping out on the days.

On Sunday the 23rd Iorras Aontaithe u18s went head to head with St Kevin Boys Dublin in the Quarter final of the FAI u18 youth cup, this was the first appearance at this stage of the competition by Erris since 2005, Iorras having also won the cup in 2004.

Unfortunately Iorras went down by a single goal it coming in the 75th minute, a 30 yard effort from the Dublin outfit. The Erris U18’s played very well in a game which was played at a pulsating pace. There was some was good efforts from Justin Healy, Kyle O’Reilly, Peter Cafferkey and a very good free from James Kelly. The Erris Management of Eric & Micheal S spoke very positively about the teams performance despite the result.

Iorras Aontaithe thanks all the Supporters for making the effort to travel, and there was lots. Thank you.

Iorras Aontaithe U18, FAI Youth Cup, sadly ending at the Quarter final stage.

Iorras Aontaithe on their travels, Iorras Aontaithe U18s have been handed an away tie with cup favorites St Kevin’s boys of Dublin in the quarter final of the FAI Youth Cup, this game will take place on the weekend of March 23rd