Moore Utd - 2023 Summary
2023 has been a memorable year for the Club with our Senior side winning the Roscommon & District League Premier Division title for the first time since 2002-03 season after a memorable final day win away in Boyle Celtic. The arrival back in Millars Bar with the cup will be memorable for young and old for years to come, with bonfires and club colours on young and old cheering home Tommy Naughton and Declan Duffy’s heroes. A monumental achievement for our club, involving a squad of players who all came through our underage ranks to achieve glory. Our first year in the Senior Reserve League saw us win that competition also, and our Masters side retained their League title on a thrilling evening in Falty against fellow contenders Glen Celtic.
Our underage structure expanded with teams represented at every grade in the Roscommon & District Youth & Schoolboy/ Girl league, bar Under 16 girls, the first time for years to achieve this feat. Success for our teams has been gauged not only in some silverware at 11s, 14s, 16s and 18s level, but in the almost 200 players who engaged in football with us over the summer months.
Off the pitch a new Club Committee was formed with new energy and focus to support our teams, train, and grow our coaching teams, grow our reach, provide a fun environment for our local children to enjoy a team sport and enhance our place in the Community. We thank John Duffy, Mike Burns and Gerry Judge who have handed over the baton after many dedicated years of service in keeping the club going in difficult times.
Incoming Committee:
Life Presidents: Tommy Grenham, Gerry Kelly
Chairperson: Fergal Duffy
Assistant Chairperson: Jimmy Greene
Secretary: Declan Duffy
Assistant Secretary: Mary Shine
Treasurers: Catherine Goode, Claire Kelly, Mike Burns
PRO: Barry Johnson
Registrations Officer: Sean Desmond
Child Welfare Officers: Helen Greene and Kate Mitchell
Liaison Officers: Fergal Duffy and Jimmy Greene
Also off the field we have had some memorable community days, our annual Underage Football Marathon and Fun Walk in October, our Senior awards night in September, our girls trip to the Aviva to support Ireland, our numerous trips into Athlone Town to support their men’s and women’s teams, our marking of International Women’s week, our support of Heather Payne and the Irish Women’s team at the World Cup, the relaunch of our Club Lotto with the Upcoming Mega draw in December, and also a very memorable two nights in Moore Hall with our Lip Sync battle against our friends in Moore Scouts.
Without the generosity of our amazing sponsors, people who support our fundraising initiatives, who buy a ticket for a draw or a Last One Standing, our hard-working committees, our 40 strong team of Underage mentors and coaches, our Senior managers, our ground staff and the member of the Moore CE scheme, the local members of our community, our supporters, but more importantly our parents and especially our players, our club would not be as strong as it is. Watch this space for more exciting developments to come this year! Thank you to one and all for your support and as we always say, Up the Parish!!!
UNDER 7 BOYS & GIRLS
A great mix of boys and girls took part in our Under 7 programme for 2023. We had about 30 children split evenly who took part in our Tuesday evening sessions stretching back to February. Time was split between Astro turf and grass with the basic skills being the order of the day. Most of this young group will return to Under 7’s next year with 8 of the older girls moving on to the Under 9’s. The clubs sincerest thanks to Camcloon school for the use of their facilities. Players: Alannah, Cillian, Alijica, Sadbh, Muireann, Liam, Jessica, Ellie Ann, Orlaith, Ali, Conal, Maya, Alexa, Zosia, Adam, Ben, Ruby, Harry, Aaron, Evianna, Conor, Callan, Jack, Kuba, Diolun, Aaron, Amy, Tomás and Dylan.
UNDER 9 BOYS
Another season to remember for our Under 9 boys! Starting back in January on the astro in Camcloon, the squad underwent a 6-week skills development plan before we headed back to Falty for training. The enthusiasm of each player was great to see and even in cold weather they couldn’t wait to get going. This was clear in our first fixture against Skyvalley Rovers, and those that followed, with matches against St. Cuan’s United and Roscommon Town.
In May, the boys had the privilege to walk out with our senior team in the RDFL Cup Final in Lecarrow and had away matches in Lecarrow against St John’s and Dysart. The summer holidays led to some breaks in matches, but we managed to squeeze in games against Dunmore Town, Shiven Rovers and Glen Celtic. The squad entered the tail end of the season in great form, with a multi-game blitz played in Roscommon, followed by our end of season event in Shiven Rovers, where the boys played commendably against tough opposition from all over Roscommon and East Galway and were awarded with welldeserved medals. In October, we were able to mark the end of our season with an evening of football and fun in Athlone Town’s Stadium with our near neighbours, Skyvalley Rovers. Under 7 Boys Celebrating their medals Under 7 Girls Celebrating their medals 90 Moore United U9 Girls Moore United U11 Boys Moore United U9 Boys 1 Laughs were had and sweets were eaten!
A huge thanks to all our coaches who helped this year, Seamus, John, Eddie, Liam and Sean. To parents, who put up with early Sunday morning match times. But most especially, to all the boys who took part this year and made it very special.
Players: Euan, Matthew M, Viktor, Liam, Jake, Danny, Ezra, Senan, Jack D, Rory, Donnacha, James, Paidi,
UNDER 9 GIRLS
The girls Under 9 football team had a busy and exciting year with training starting in January and continuing until the end of September. We entered 2 teams in the RDYSL this season, with older and younger girls competing. During the season, the girls played 12 matches in both champions and Europa league. They also had a chance to witness some highprofile matches, including seeing Athlone Town Women in the Presidential Shield and an Irish international game at the Aviva Stadium. These were great experiences for our young players. These are a great bunch of girls who will bring a lot of success of the club over the coming years. Our thanks to our mentors this year who kept the fun alive all year and gave great guidance and training, Seamus Kelly, Kate Mitchell, Angela Killeen, Paula Keegan, Fiona O’Connell and Martin Grenham.
Players: Shonagh, Ellen, Caragh, Katie M, Molly Claire, Leah, Aoibhinn, Isabelle, Abbie, Hannah Killeen, Katie K, Willow Leigh, Aisling, Katie D, Eabha, Sadie O’B, Rachel, Sadie D, Orlaith, Breege, Farrah, Muireann, Roisin and Hannah Kenny
UNDER 11 BOYS
With a total of 21 boys in this group for 2023 we had two teams in operation. Each team played 17 matches spanning from April till October. Both teams improved steadily as the year went along playing their best football when the competitions got going late in the season.
The Europa team went down 4-3 in an excellent Semi final away to Cloonfad United while the Champions’ League group managed to lift the Conference Cup after a penalty shootout with Lough Harps. There is a fine group developing here and plenty of football to come. We were delighted for Patrick Carty, Corey Johnson and Conor Killeen to be included in RDYSL Academy trials this year where all three represented the club magnificently. Thanks to David Sheeran, David Carty and Eddie Brady for guiding this group this year.
Players: Eoin Loughnane, Patrick Carty, James Barrett, Jack Dunning, Evan Kenny, Aaron Kenny, Senan Cunniffe, Ryan Coleman, Kalem Kelly, Corey Johnson, John Brady, Conor Killeen, Cillian Kenny, Callum Clarke, Tiernan Kelly, Arthur Kelly, Lucas Forde Roche, Dylan Greene, Paddy Kelly, Brady Gaffey and Ben Durney
UNDER 11 GIRLS
Our Under 11’s Girls had two teams competing this year: a Europa and a Champions League team. It was a challenge during the summer holidays to ensure we had two teams to compete, so we asked some of the Under 9 girls to join us and ensure we had two full teams for each of the matches. They proved to be a brilliant addition to the squad. In total we had 19 girls playing on both teams.
During the season we played 16 games, one we even played and won in Storm Betty! The players really started to develop their game and positions throughout the year with great confidence. We had a very enjoyable Blitz in Shiven in June where they won all three games.
In September both teams had made it for the first time ever to Under 11’s girls RDYSL league final, unfortunately it was not to be either team’s day despite the amazing effort by both teams.
Best of luck to some of these girls as they will move up to Under 12’s next year. Training will continue during the winter for this fantastic bunch of girls. Thanks to Michelle, Kate, Mirium, Natasha, Jamie, Ivan, Damien, Paula and Angela for their fantastic coaching and mentoring this year. Aine O’Byrne, Caitlin Clarke and Grace Mitchell were selected to attend RDYSL Academy trials at this age group, a first for our club and all three girls represented us superbly well.
Players: Ciara Lawless, Lily Grace Goode, Grace Mitchell, Caitlin Clarke, Aine O’Byrne, Teresa Murray, Sophia Downey, Katie Carty Gilfinan, Michaela Flynn, Kellyann Greene, Grace Rose Dolan, Caoimhe Kelly, Megan Gaffey, Sarah Hardiman, Hannah Killeen, Breege Clarke, Katie Mitchell, Katie Keegan and Molly Clare Goode.
UNDER 12 BOYS
Our Under 12 boys team played in the first division league. The team were very competitive and consistent throughout the season finishing a very creditable mid table. In the divisional cup semi-final Moore United beat Dunmore Town home and away. In the final v Kilkerrin United, Moore United finished runners up but were very unlucky on the day. These lads have improved hugely during the season and will do very well moving up to Under 14s. Earlier in the year, we were delighted that Scott Dowd represented the Club with the RDYSL League team in the Galway Cup competition. Thanks to our coaches of this group Jimmy Greene, Ben Dolan and Seamus Murray.
Players: Shane McHugh, Dovydas Bubnys, Sean Murray, Eli Gannon, Scott Dowd, James Kenny, Rian Kelly, Paddy Kelly, Ciaran Murray, Patrick Carty, Gerald Glennon, Corey Johnson, Ryan Coleman and Aaron Kelly.
UNDER 12 GIRLS
Our Under 12 Girls played in five competitions for the 2023 season. After getting a squad together in early January, training on the Camcloon Astro, we started in April in the Challenge Cup against St John’s Athletic. Next up was Glen Celtic in the Challenge Shield semi-final but unfortunately it wasn’t our evening.
In May we played in the Southern League and in June we played in the First Division League. We reached the semifinals of the Sevens Shield where we met Shiven Rovers. In September our last game of the season was against Dunmore Town in the Divisional Cup semi-final. It was a huge development year for a lot of these girls as they stepped up from small sided Under 11 games, and they performed very well all season, committing to training and throwing themselves into games with gusto. Best of luck to the girls as they will move up to Under 14 squad next year.
From this group, the club were delighted that Niamh O’Connell and Aoife Naughton were selected for RDYSL Academy Trials in October and well done to both girls who gave a brilliant account of themselves and the club. Thanks to Damien Clarke, Sinead Lennon, Catherine Goode, Alan Scott, Michelle Greene & Ivan Colleran for helping with the girls during the year.
Players: Aoife Naughton, Emily Rose Goode, Aoibhinn Scott, Niamh O’Connell, Saoirse O’Rourke, Nicole Whyte, Katie Grenham, Aoife Madden, Roisin Madden, Niamh Lennon, Kate Killeen, Hannah Kelly, Niamh Lennon, Àine O Byrne and Caitlin Clarke.
UNDER 14 BOYS
Our Under 14 boys team started the season slowly. Some players found the step up to the bigger pitch difficult at first. As the league went on, the team grew in confidence, and they won the Second Division league at home under lights in the final league game of the season. This was a great occasion for the group. In the Divisional cup Moore United got to the Divisional cup semi-final only to lose on penalties. The lads were so unlucky not to get to the final. Looking back on the year the lads did extremely well. They grew and developed as players, and we are looking forward to these lads playing an important part in Moore United’s future. Jimmy Greene, Cathal Duffy and Michael Kelly have done a superb job with this group this year.
Players: Daniel Duffy, Patrick Barrett, Cian Hogan, Sam O’Brien, Jack Berrigan, Patrick Finneran, Tadgh Flynn, Conor Hardiman, Luke Madden, Oran Kane, Anthony Gallagher, John Murray, Craig Holland, Aidan O’Rourke, Darragh Loughnane, Rian Sweeney, Aaron O’Connell, Cullainn Greene, Dylan Carty, Senan O’Hara, Kia Morgan and Noah Glennon
UNDER 14 GIRLS
This was the first year for the club to enter a girls’ team at this grade. A squad developed made up of some of our Under 12 squad from last year with some very welcome new additions from girls around the community looking to play football locally. Ivan Colleran, Diane Dolan and Tommy Naughton had a really dedicated bunch of girls from when training started in mid-January on Camcloon Astro. A squad of 18 girls developed where we worked our way through our first challenge matches in March and the League commencing in April.
The girls slowly got into their stride over the course of the league, with some great performances during that time, noticeably when we came up against our neighbours Skyvalley Rovers in a few cup and league matches with the spoils shared very evenly! We played our season in the First Division.
Our league campaign had some mixed results, but the team was always developing, where we finished a respectable mid table. We qualified for the 7s shield final in July where our ladies delivered a brilliant performance in Shiven against Ballaghaderreen FC which was the very first piece of Girls silverware for the Club. At the time of writing our girls have done brilliantly to qualify for the First Division Cup Final overcoming Shiven Rovers in a 2-sided Semi Final. We wish the best of luck to the girls who leave our Under 14 squad this year, and we hope to develop an Under 16s side for next year. Six of our girls were selected for trials for the 2010 RDYSL Academy. Caoimhe O’Byrne, Katie Canning, Eabha Gaffey, Mia Naughton, Emma Gallagher and Alisha Clarke were excellent during this process with Alisha becoming the first girl player representing Moore United to play for the RDYSL Representative side in the Inter Leagues this winter.
Players: Emilia Barczuk, Katie Canning, Alisha Clarke, Alannah Coleman, Amber Dolan, Hannah Dunning, Eabha Gaffey, Emma Gallagher, Laura Glennon, Ailbhe Glynn Desmond, Sarah Kate Goode, Ciara Grenham, Caoimhe Hogan, Lily Hogarty, Grace Kelly, Katie Kenny, Mia Naughton and Caoimhe O’Byrne.
UNDER 16 BOYS
With a group of about 15 players in October 2022, the group was committed to training and with a few friendly matches in November, we trained weekly until the new season started in May. Now with a panel of about 20 players, when we kicked off the league at home to St. Cuans, the team was really coming together. There were no games during June because of Exams and when the league resumed, while results may not be going our way in the early matches, the lads were playing good football and scoring goals. There was a break for the Sevens Tournament in which we entered two teams. The Finals were played in Shiven on the 24th of July, Moore United v Cloonfad United on a very wet evening and it didn’t go to plan with a 3-1 loss.
Over the next few weeks games were sporadic but we started getting some notable results and we see these lads had real fighting spirit going into the Divisional Cup. We drew Roscommon Town in a semi-final which we won 4-0, and into a final with Shiven Rovers. The Divisional cup final, which had to be postponed a few times due to weather, was finally played on the 19th of October in Lecarrow and once again these two teams did not disappoint. It was a very tight affair with Moore United taking the lead with about 10 minutes to go with a great strike from Evan Dolan. Shiven pressed and levelled, and we found ourselves in a penalty shootout. Oisin Kelly, Euan Kelly, Sean Fortune and Aaron Hogan scored our penalties with Euan Kelly making a great save. It was Christopher Kenny who stepped up to score our fifth penalty and win the final. It was a great way to finish off the season for a very committed group who worked hard and enjoyed themselves.
It was an honour to work with these lads and as coaches we have enjoyed our time training them. It was great to see a number of these Under 16 players completing the PDP1 coaching course in August last and they will be getting involved with underage and summer camps’ next season.
From the Under 16 coaching team, Mike, Aidan & Martin, we want to wish all these players well, some of whom will be back at Under 16’s next year and those who will move on to the Under 18’s. We would also like to thank the Under 14 players who trained and played with us during the year.
Players: Euan Kelly, Sean Finneran, Christopher Kenny, Louis Greene, Evan Dolan, Oisin Kelly, Aidan Lawless, Darragh Glynn, Jack Hayes, Matthew Owens, Michael Scott, Lee Connaughton, Gavin Kelly, Oisin Mcloughlin,
Aaran Hogan, Daniel Hogan, Joey O’Byrne, Sean Fortune and Cayson Cahill Sheppard.
UNDER 18s
Like so many underage teams, the start of the season for the Under 18’s was a slow burner. Many players were due to sit their leaving cert with a majority looking to start summer jobs. Finally, when a squad got together, Moore United started the season off with a defeat in the cup on penalties. Having missed numerous chances to put the game to bed, Moore United conceded in the last minute.
From there, the squad got stronger being led by two senior players from the title winning team. Jack Nevin as Captain and Mark Lennon as vice-captain. The league campaign resulted in a runner-up spot for the lads where an early 7-7 draw with Roscommon Town putting a gap between us and eventual winners Cloonfad United.
The Divisional Cup looked like a realistic chance of silverware until Moore United came up against eventual winners, St. Johns Athletic, losing in the semi-final. In a tight game, Moore United lost out, although leading twice and in the end, couldn’t find a goal to bring it to penalties. Silverware wasn’t to evade this talented group of players, as in mid-season, Moore United won the ‘Seven’s’ competition. In the semi-final Moore United beat St. John’s Athletic to set up a final against Cloonfad United , who they beat comprehensively in the final. As with all underage teams, winning wasn’t the main aim. Improvement and progression being the main goal. This talented group has now progressed to the senior setup. Oisin Deehan, Jack Sumner, Cian Duffy, and Andrew Sheffield all making their debuts for the senior team. Oisin Deehan and Jack Sumner, who have now become permanent fixtures with the senior squad, who now have made appearances along with Jack and Mark in the Roscommon & District League and the FAI Junior Cup.
Players: Davy Gavin, Seamus Murray, Ben Dolan, Cian Duffy, Oisin Deehan, Jack Sumner, Jack Nevin, Mark Lennon, Cormac Moore, Daragh Moore, Eoin Connell, Abdul Basit, Niall Derwin, Kenae Fallon, Andrew Sheffield, Conor Kelly and with back up from our Under 16 squad of Darragh Glynn Desmond, Aaron Hogan and Daniel Hogan.
MOORE UNITED SENIOR SIDES
Our 2022-23 Season is a season to remember and to be reminisced for years to come.
Our Senior Team Managed by Tommy Naughton and Declan Duffy started off in September with a trip away to season campaigners Castlerea Celtic and ended with an away trip to fellow title contenders Boyle Celtic. After playing 18 league game, winning 15, losing 2 and drawing one. Moore United were crowned League Winners for Season 2022-23. The scenes of enjoyment, happiness and relief at the final whistle that day in Boyle Celtic, who themselves only needed a draw to also win the league, was something to cherish for a very long time for a group of young men from Moore United.
The game started at a fast pace, with both teams enjoying some good spells of position. As Boyle Celtic started to revel in their normal passing game, Moore United set up a solid defence and were reasonably comfortable without too much danger. Half time came with a score of 0 – 0. With the large crowd attending that day in Celtic Park. The Moore United lads were applauded with loads of cheers and praise. The second half began with Moore United starting to press higher up the field, and after 10 minutes of a good bit of pressure, Moore United won themselves a corner. A decent ball into the box was helped on by Jason Ryan and controlled excellently by Rian Carpenter who slotted the ball into the back of the Boyle Celtic Net. Moore 1 nil to the good. The scenes from the Moore United bench and large travelling support were that of pure elation.
After a brief break in play, the game restarted, now with Moore United in the driving seat. The Moore United management changed the formation by tightening up and dropping back their striker to close off gaps to stop Boyle Celtic from getting at Adam McManus’s goal. To Boyles Celtic’s credit they did come back at Moore United, but we stood strong and defended brilliantly from attack after attack. With time running out and Boyle Celtic pushing harder and harder to get the equaliser they required. Moore United stood robust and with the last attack Adam McManus plucked the ball from the skies to be rewarded a free kick which would lead to the referee blowing for full time.
The time had come, the drought was over, the pain had ended. 20 years in waiting was over when Captain Charles Nevin was rewarded with the League Cup. The scenes were unbelievable -Young and old emerged to congratulate the lads in their moment of victory. For such a young squad, the maturity shown to withstand the pressure of the day, never mind the pressure from the 20 years of waiting, was immense. After the one-hour trip home, the team and management were met by bonfires and supporters at our sponsors Millar’s Bar and Restaurant.
As the celebrations continued long into the night and through coming days, the lads had to come back down to earth and face into a quarter final in the Roscommon Cup. A competition Moore United had only won once previously. Moore United found themselves reaching the final of the competition to face fellow Premier Division side, Castlerea Celtic. Moore United were firm favourites coming into the final and started the game well-dictating position and creating plenty of chances. Moore United found themselves going behind from a corner kick that reached a Castlerea Celtic player unmarked at the back post. The player gave Keeper Adam McManus no chance with a powering header. 1 nil to Castlerea Celtic. Moore United showed no signs of panic and continued their normal passing and pressing game. As time ticked by and Moore United pushing harder and harder to get an equaliser. Castlerea Celtic held out to win the game by a one goal to nil.
Even though the lads and management were extremely disappointed with the Castlerea Celtic loss, they were happy and proud of the achievement in winning the league for the first time in 20 years.
Manager Tommy Naughton, Assistant Manager Declan Duffy. Staff Barry Johnson.
Squad: Adam McManus, Andy Hussey, Charles Nevin, David Griffin, Emmet Kenny, Graham Pettit, Jack Nevin, James Byrne, Jason Ryan, Josh Lennon, Kevin Kenny, Liam Ryan, Mark Gannon, Mark Lennon, Paddy Reilly, Paul Kelly, Rian Carpenter, Shane Dunning, Shane Petit.
MOORE UNITED RESERVES
Moore United entered a team into the league for the very first ever Reserves league. This league was designed for when clubs couldn’t field strong second teams every week. Moore United used the league to bring in and develop young players for experience and also for the older player to get some game time under their belts. Moore United under the management of Tommy Naughton and Shane Dunning, put a squad together to compete, and this they did. Having played nine games, losing one and drawing none, Moore United finished the league on top with one game to spare. This was a great experience for everyone involved and was admired and enjoyed fully.
MASTERS LEAGUE
Our Moore United Masters team managed by John Duffy won back-to-back league titles this year over the summer months. The recruitment started for this year’s panel in Millars and gathered momentum from there. Training was mentioned but soon quashed! Eight teams registered for this year’s league including some new entrants – a positive sign of things to come.
After some great results in the early part of the season, we reached the halfway point in the league, with Moore United sitting in Pole Position, the league was split into two groups, with Moore United, Colemanstown FC, Glen Celtic and Roscommon Town. After a draw against Roscommon Town and a hard fought 2-1 win at home to Colemanstown FC, it came down to a winner takes all final match at home to Glen Celtic. Having gone one up early in the game, the half time whistle blew at one all after a Glen Celtic equaliser just before the break. Moore United regrouped and took the field with a mentality that “We had 35 minutes left in the season which was going to make or break us!” A Moore United winner dually came with 10 minutes left, and despite severe pressure from Glen Celtic, Moore United held out for an historic win. The win was widely celebrated by young and old on the pitch, and later by the “old” long into the evening in Millars where Gerry’s generosity meant the cup was filled numerous times to toast the success of this tight knit group. A season that had started in Millars, ended back in our local sponsors, and it was excellent to see past and present players still playing and winning trophies, a great bunch of men who have stuck together through thick and thin, more thick than thin, and are without doubt a great bunch of role models for all our younger generations.
AWARDS NIGHT
Moore United held its Senior Awards Night in Millar’s Bar and Restaurant in front of a large crowd on Friday 25th August. The following awards were handed out on the night:
Senior Player of the Year: Kevin Kenny
Reserves Player of the year: Mark Lennon
Senior Players Player of the year: Shane Dunning
Reserves Players Player of the Year: David Griffin
Young Player of the Year: Rian Carpenter
Goal of the Season: Jack Nevin
Top Goal Scorer: Charles Nevin
Here is to an exciting Senior 2023-24 season as all our men’s teams hope to retain their league Cups. Up the Parish!!