Erris United Football Cub

The Sean Davis fun Soccer Academy, the original and best, returns to the club ground at Carnenash from Tuesday 7th to Friday 10th April for Boys and Girls aged 5 to 17 years stating at 10.00am to 3.00pm each day. The Course fee is 55 Euro with registration at 10.00am on the 7th.

Sean Davis Soccer School 08

Pitch maintenance work is now been applied to the main playing area at the club ground at Carnenash Park, in readiness for the 2009 Mayo League season which will kick off on the 12th April. Iorras Aontaithe has committed thousands of Euro on updating their ground facilities over the past 12 months with new floodlights, dugouts, provision of a second pitch, updating their club house and pitch drainage and the work will greatly improve  the playing surface. As a result of work carried out on the main playing surface all playing activity has been stopped for the next two weeks on the pitch.

The A-Team was a very popular American Television adventure series in the years 1983-86 and one of it’s characters, Col. John “Hannibal” Smith played by the late George Peppard would often be heard saying ” I love it when a plan comes together” now whether, Iorras Aontaithe/Erris United had a plan or not, is neither here nor their, but the fact is this small Club from North West Mayo are through to the Semi-Final of the F.A.I. Umbro Junior Cup for the very first time in the club’s very short 25 year history, by beating Competition favourites, Fairview Rangers of Limerick, on penalty’s, in a very exciting game after the game ended 1-1 plus extra time with Henry Gaughan slotting home the winning penalty on a 4-3 score line. It is a wonderful achievement for the Club given the fact Iorras Aontaithe have a very small player pool. Fairview Rangers have, on the other hand, won this trophy 6 times in the past 12 years but Iorras were undeterred by this statistic and the men from North Mayo had came to Limerick with one view in mind, and that was to book their place in the Semi-Final for the first time. Iorras dominated the first half with their style of, in your face football ,determination and drive, of which this squad of players have, attacking the home side with every opportunity and keeping them on the back foot. But on 23 minutes Liam Donohue sent in a peach of a cross from the right wing were it was met by the floating presents of Stephen Carolan high in the air and he nodded home the lead for Iorras. Pat Barrett, David Reilly, Brendan Nallan, Micky Togher and Jonathan Donohue were threatening with every opportunity looking for that second goal, aided by the breeze, but Iorras went in at the break one goal to the good.

In the second half Fairview, with the wind on their backs, come looking for an equalizer and they levelled the score line on the 69th minute when Jeffrey Judge slotted home from a Colm Heffernan corner. The two sides had opportunities to win the game in the half but extra time was called for. In the first 10 minutes of extra time Fairview almost took the lead but their effort was repelled by Shane Nallen in the Iorras goal but in the final 10 minutes of extra time Iorras continued their surge for the winning goal but the game ended 1-1. In the penalty shot out Iorras had the first kick which Brendan Nallan converted with ease with Shane Nallan making a great save for Fairview first kick which gave Iorras the edge plus David Reilly, Garth O’Malley also converted and when Henry Gaughan slotted home the winning kick to make it 4-3 it unleashed a scene of wild celebration from his team mattes and travelling fans. This was, again, another great team performance but as the saying goes, a lot of work done but more to do,. Iorras Aontaithe will now face Ballymun United in the Semi-Final in Milebush Park in Castlebar on Sunday 5th April with a 2.00pm Kick off. The Club would like to thank all the travelling supporters and to Fairview Rangers F.C. for their courtesy and welcome. To show your support to the team  fly the Club Colours to show your support. To view video clip showing Henry slotting home the winning penalty plus the mayhem that ensued and to hear Eric’s after match interview click the Clubs Youtube page, excuse the wind noise and also click on gallery to view some photos from the evening before game, morning of game and after.

Iorras Aontaithe/Erris United would like to thank everyone for their positive messages of support for the Club and its wonderful players on the long hard path in this competition so far. To all those Erris exiles who are logging on to the web site from America, Canada, Australia, England and many other countries please feel free to leave your comments as we would love to hear from you.

TEAM-Shane Nallan, Liam Donohue, David Reilly, Henry Gaughan, John Gaughan, Brendan Nallan, Pat Barrett, Anthony Mills, Jonathan Donohue, Micky Togher, Stephen Carolan. SUBS USED- Neil Geraghty for Jonathon Donohue (68m) and Garth O’Malley for Stephen Carolan (86m).

Semi-Final games to be played on weekend 4/5 April 2009. Due to this Semi-Final fixture for Iorras the Mayo league has decided to postpone the start of the 2009 League season by one week. Round one fixtures scheduled  for Sunday, 5th , will now be fixed for Sunday, April 12th.

Penalty King, Henry Gaughan enjoying his pint in McDonnell's, Belmullet later that evening with Family, Friends, Supporters and teammate, Brendan Nallen plus the Club Chairman where they all relived a great days work in Limerick

A presentation was made to Ronan Murray by Iorras Aontaithe at the Erris Person of the Year awards which was held in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel on Friday night 20th March. The club presented Ronan with a Team picture and some action shots of his last game at the Club before his big move to Ipswich Town were, we are delighted to say, that Ronan is forging ahead on the road to a professional career. Ronan was recently called into the Ireland U21’s. Iorras Aontaithe would also like to congratulate

Ronan receiving his presentation from the Club, pictured L/R is, Thomas Duffy, Stephen Carolan, Sean Gaughan, Eric O'Reilly, Harry Reilly, Tom McAndrew and Tom Reilly.

Ronan on his Young Erris Person of the Year award and to Pat Gallagher, Erris Person of the Year and Gerry Campbell, Erris Exile of the Year. Over 400 attended the occasion and it was a very enjoyable evening.

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade was again a great success and in lovely sun shine. The Club received third prize for its float which celebrated the clubs 25th anniversary. The club thanks all the under age members that took part, again this year, and to Harry, Des, Eric, Paul, Mary Treasa and Rosaleen for their input and help.

Eric, Paul, Duck, Drake and the Gang enjoying the parade

Club float in 08

This year,Iorras Aontaithe/Erris United are celebrating it’s 25th anniversary and to coincide with this event the club float in this years St. Patrick’s day, in Belmullet will be filled with helium  balloons and during the parade the balloons will be released. Each balloon will have a tag attached with the club web site www.errisunitedfc.ie.  The person who retrieves or finds a balloon furthest away will win a prize. To claim your prize you most log on to the club web site with your name email address and balloon tag as proof of your find. Post this information in the comments section of this story and we will contact you.

Fairview rangers v Iorras Aontaithe, Sunday March 22nd at 2pm in Fairgreen, Limerick.

A new selection in Club leisure wear will be available in April by Club Sponsor, Umbro. To view, click on Merchandise.