Monday, September 28, 2009

Fantastic First Ever Match for our U14's GIRLS


After great efforts to scrape a team together for this age group, we were still 3 players short going into Sundays match, luckily for us Charleville were in the same position, and so the match went ahead 8 a side. (this included playing one of our nine year olds!) However they proved themselves a side worthy of sticking with as they worked their legs off to keep up with their opponents who looked mainly older girls. We eventually went down 3-1 (and what a good goal it was from Shauna Carroll) but fantastic effort girls. We particularly want to thank Leanne and Joanne for playing at such short notice - great little defenders too.... Infact I was so impressed I want to mention them all..... Our fantasic goalie who definately saved us a number of times Shauna Treacey, hard working Niamh and Michelle in midfield, young Charlotte who really enjoyed her match going forward. Lastly even younger Caoimhe who ran rings around their defenders.

But this team really needs the support of some other local girls to keep the team viable, so please anyone able to play or just wishing to try and train with us, come along, no soccer experience necessary!

Another Debut - This time the youngest members of Castle United!

SPOT THE BALL! Who cares about positions, just let me kick that ball : )
The U6's get stuck in......

Our U6's and U8's mixed boys and girls teams, both played Knockainey in friendly matches today, here at home in Kilbreedy. A large contingent of parents and supporters looked on, so thank you all for your support.
I am sure you will all agree the kids had great fun, and so did we! The smoothies also went down a treat with all our teams this weekend, when i say went down, it was literally the truth on some of the little ones, (the launderette will be busy on Monday!) So thanks Diarmuid and co at Wild Orchard for providing a tasty and healthy treat for our teams. Pity we could not scrape a win, but apparently there are rematches in a fortnight, watch this space!



The Girls get to play at last


Our U10's Girls team who had their team debut against Murroe B on Saturday with their team manager young Aishling McCarthy.

The Girls did us proud here at Castle United too, they eventually lost 1-0 after a sterling performance. .. Well done all of you, it looks like this is one of our teams to watch!

Friday, September 25, 2009

Change to this weekend fixtures

There is a slight change to this weekends fixtures, Saturday now see's our U10's girls (not boys as previously thought...oops!) take on Murroe B in their first match this season, they were due to play sunday at 3pm but this has been brought forward and they will now play on Saturday with a 12.30 kick off, then our u6's & U8s will take on Knockainey with a 2.30 kick off for both age groups, finaly on Sunday our U14 girls (not boys, got it wrong again!!, sorry about that) play Charleville with a 4pm kick off.

We wish them all luck and hope they get great enjoyment from these matches, as we have seen from our previous matches to date it will take a few matches to develop their touch and passing and playing together as a team, this takes time and practice so please come along and give them all your support this weekend.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

This weeks action

This week will be a busy week for Castle Utd, Saturday will see our U6's & U8's have their first matches when they take on Knockainey at home, kick off will be at 2.30pm. Then on Sunday at 'home' the U10's have their first 'Cup' match taking on Murroe B and if they play as well this week as the did last weekend then i think they will take a lot of beating, kick off for this match is at 3pm. The U14's boys then have their first match in the 'Cup' taking on Charleville, again the lads are at 'home' and if repeating last saturdays performance im sure they will go close to getting their first win of the season, kick off for this match is at 4pm. Good luck to all involved, im sure its going to be an exciting weekend's action, so come out and give the lads your support.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

The weekend report !!!

(our U10's squad with coach Ken Duce and assistant coach Colin Greene)

Well there was sure signs of us starting to become competitive this weekend.

Saturday saw our U14's lose out 3-2 to Meanus, that was a very encouraging scoreline, well done Henry who scored our two goals! The U12's had a tougher game when beaten by a larger score line against Charleville, but a stronger side than Meanus maybe?

There were lots of good individual performances with the 12's, just need to get the team to work together, but this will take time, especially as there was lots of new signings this week.

Sunday saw the U10's play Rathkeale, probably the strongest side in our league.

Well it went well, and we were leading at one point, however we were beaten in the end which was unfortunate as there were lots of good individual performances again, and we also had 3 lads only signed for us this week, so out of the 8 a side team, again its a very new to them all.

Here at the club, we would like to say well done to you all!! I am sure winning is only around the corner, and sure, the having fun, and playing and training is what it is all about, not the winning at all (honestly!!).

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

LOTS OF ACTION THIS WEEKEND

First of all I would like to mention all our new members who have signed for the club in the last couple of weeks. Welcome to Castle United. The club is going from strength to strength and we have huge plans for the future, so I hope you all enjoy the journey with us.

This weekend we will have away league matches for our U10's U12's and U14's, whilst our U6's and U8's will have their first ever matches the following week at home, both friendlies against Knockainey.

Details of the fixtures will be confirmed shortly.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Take Heart from Harraby United!!

Loved this story in the press today, a boys soccer team from the UK, Harraby United were formed in 2006, since then they have played over 90 matches, league and friendlies, losing every one, their first ever match they went down 19-0. However after 3 seasons of trying they have finally won a game!!

Well done lads for perseverance!

Now I hope it doesn't take Castle United quite so long to get off the mark! :) but it does show you that all new teams are up against it when they first start up. It also shows you need time and patience before you will start winning matches

Monday, September 14, 2009

Yesterdays Match

Our U12's played at home yesterday, in the finest weather we have seen so far this year. Which was good news for the parents basking on the bankside, but perhaps a bit too warm for the lads playing!

Unfortunately for us, we met a strong team, who have been playing together for the last 4 years and it showed. They scored several times in the first half, and could have scored more, but for the safe hands of our keeper Shane. However our lads battled hard, and once they have more knowledge of the game, you can see how there is talent there amongst them. There was however great excitement amongst our supporters when JoJo scored a goal in the 2nd half!

All in all its a steep learning curve for our lads, most of whom had never played soccer till a month ago. The main thing is we are all together as a community, the lads are enjoying themselves training with their friends, and learning the great game!

We cannot expect to see any great results for another couple of months I am sure, but hopefully along the way we will become more competitive.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Training sessions next week

We will be holding an FAI coaching workshop for our coaches on Monday evening (14th) of next week, as a result of this our U14s boys training will take place on Wednesday from 6.30 - 7.30pm, it will then revert back the following week to its usual slot on Monday evenings.


Training sessions
All training sessions from 6.30 - 7.30pm.

Monday 14th - no training session.
Tuesday 15th - U10's & U12 boys.
Wednesday 16th - U6'S & U8's boys & girls, U14's Boys.
Thursday 17th - U10's & U14s girls.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

International Match Trip

By all accounts the trip to the International soccer match, Ireland v's South Africa was a great success.

42 adults and children took the coach organised by the club, we managed to get very reasonable priced tickets from the FAI, and many people said they appreciated the convenience of travelling with the club.

The match was enjoyed by all, who could complain about a win! Plus the stop at the chipper on the way home was much appreciated especially by the teenagers!

When is the next trip out Ken?!

Monday, September 7, 2009

Training & match this week

Training
Due to our trip this week to the Rep of Ireland soccer International in Thomond Park this coming Tuesday, our training sessions this week will be as follows,

U14's & U12's Boys - Monday evening from 6.30 - 7.30pm.
Soccer International Trip - Tuesday evening
U6's + U8's (b&g's) & U10's boys - Wednesday evening from 6.30 - 7.30pm
U10's & U14's Girls - Thursday evening from 6.30 - 7.30pm

Next match

Our next soccer match will take place at 'home' this coming Sunday when our U12's boys take on Knocklong in Kilbreedy, kick off is at 5pm, good luck lads.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

BAG PACKING - An Appreciation!!

Just to let everyone out there know, that the bag packing fundraiser at Dunnes Stores in Charleville, was a huge success. We raised a good few, much needed euros for the clubs ongoing expenses.

Thank you, to all 28 willing 'volunteers' (you know what they say 'one volunteer is worth 10 pressed men') Well done to all who helped out, it was a great success, and dare I say it almost fun? Well maybe fun is not quite the word, but we had a laugh, and we had a good chat with some very friendly, and generous! customers.

Thanks also to the very accomodating staff and manager at Dunnes. Not forgetting all who shopped in Dunnes, and popped all their change in our tubs..

PS is this a good time to ask you to put Dec. 13th in your diaries?? ;)

Todays U12's Match

Today our U12's had their first match in the league, and like our U10'S & U14's before them in their first games, the lads worked hard but our first touch and passing allowed the opposition a lot of possesion which they took full advantage of, but again in the second half as the game wore on we started passing better and we became more competative and duly started creating some chances for ourselves, this gave the lads some confidence in themselves, and it was nice to finish off the game with a well taken penalty by our captain Jojo Brazill who stepped up to take the spot kick, im sure it will be the first of many goals for him this season, well done lads, we will only get stronger and stronger with every game.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Todays U10's match


Our U10's boys had their first match in the county league today when taking on Knockainey at home in Kilbreedy.

In the first half they tried hard but this being their first ever game their first touch and passing was a little rushed which inevitably gifted the possesion to the opposition, and credit must go to them as they made the most of this and scored three quick goals, however in the second half our lads settled a little more and played better and apart from one unfortunate mistake from our goalkeeper which cost us another goal they kept working really hard right upto the final whistle.

The lads will learn a lot from this match today and as the season goes on they will only get stronger and stronger, well done lads, keep it up, you were a credit to your club today.

Our captain for the match was Alan Byrne, and as a captain should he led by example and played exceptionaly well for the team, well done Alan.

Friday, September 4, 2009

Matches this weekend

The U10's boys play tomorrow afternoon at home 3pm kick off

Sunday will see the U12's away to Rathkeale, kick off 12 Noon
(just in time to come home to see the hurling on the TV)

So good luck to all our youngsters in their first matches of the season.

Bag Packing - groan ;)

Just to say a hearty thanks to all those parents, committee members, coaches, and some of our older players, who all have volunteered for this weeks bag packing fundraiser at Dunnes in Charleville.

Packing bags for 3 hours is not many peoples idea of a good day out, so fair play to you all!!!

We'll let you know how we got on ......