RATHCOOLE ROVERS 1999 DEC?

RATHCOOLE ROVERS




Rathcoole Rovers, just four years in the Cork AUL, are already showing more initiative than many established clubs as they seek to conclude the purchase of four acres for two playing pitches in the North Cork townland. The ongoing transaction has been boosted by a loan from the Kanturk Credit Union and by the proceeds of a 400 members draw. Secretary Donagh O'Connor reports that the draw was such a success that another is currently underway: "We have received great support for this; our thanks to all who supported it".



The club, whose players come from Millstreet town, Boherbue, Dromtarriffe, and Lyre, held their first ever social at the end of last season to celebrate a great double. The juniors won the championship in Murphy's Stout AUL 3A and the Under 17s won the Teddy Healy Under 17 League Cup (beating Leeside in a thriller at Turner's Cross).



Awards were handed out on the night and Hugh Sheehan was voted Player of the Year. Kieran O'Keeffe was top scorer with 19 goals and he is threatening to do the same this year and even the best defences find it hard to cope: he scored a cracker against Blarney Utd recently in the FAI Junior Cup. Kevin Murphy was voted Under 17 Player of the Year and the Top Scorer Award here went to Gearoid Murphy. Chairman and manager Alfie Cooney was the recipient of a special award from the players for his commitment to them and to the club.



Alfie's assistant is Michael Guerin and the captain is Tommy McAuliffe. Training could be better and should improve, now that lights have been erected. Alfie shares the Under 17 managership with Teddy Cleary but they haven't followed the success of last year's team, yet!



The juniors though are enjoying a great run and have distinguished themselves in the cups. Because of that, they have played just four league games in 2A and have nine points. They are through to the quarterfinals of the Saxone Cup and have a home date with Evergreen on Friday December 31st (kick off 2.00pm). Wins over Inter City, Fairview, Leeside B, and Ballintotis, have put them through to the last 32 of the AOH.



Rathcoole were very close to getting out of Cork in the FAI Junior Cup. They did get to the last 16 in the area with wins over Premier outfits St John Bosco's (their best performance of the season to date) and Killumney Utd. And they came close to shocking Blarney who came from behind to win on spotters after a 1 - 1 tie.



The Rathcoole officers are Alfie Cooney (chairman), Niall O'Brien (vice chairman), Donagh O'Connor (secretary), Fergal Walsh (treasurer), Hugh Sheehan and Niall Buckley (PROs). The club is receiving great support from the Linehans in the D'Outback Bar. "Long may it continue," says O'Connor.



The current junior panel is: Fergal Walsh, Hugh Sheehan, Tommy McAuliffe, Denis Breen, Niall Buckley, Bryan Cooper, Bryan Hickey, brothers Michael and Donal Cashman, brothers Donagh and Hugh O'Connor, Trevor Murphy, Timmy Cleary, Don Healy, and Kieran O'Keeffe.