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Page 44 4 January 2012 Herald Page May 2012 TheThe Herald
DIVISION ONE FOOTBALL NEXT SEASON FOR ATHLETIC
Strabane, Champions Again!
SAFC Player Profile
Strabane Athletic........3 Glebe Utd .....................0 Strabane Athletic got their hands on the Brendan Love Cup on Tuesday night after a hard fought, faultless display against neighbours Glebe Utd. A three nil win, thanks to goals from Jason McGrinder, Brain Patterson and John Roulston ensured the Strabane men lifted the F&W Division Two title and gained promotion as Champions for the second year running. On a very uneven surface the 1st half was a ding dong battle with little goal mouth action. McGrinder and Cooke had shots that hit the upright but for all Strabane’s pressure they could not fine the opening goal. Glebe were always posing a threat with their speedy wingers and forwards but Strabane’s excellent defence dealt with any attacks with ease. Although missing a few key players, Athletic still seemed to have too much firepower going forward and when the first goal came early in the second half from top goal scorer McGrinder the players slowly but surely started to play the fluent passing game that they are accustomed to throughout the season. Patterson followed up with a powerful header that Burke in the Glebe goals somehow pushed over the bar with an outstanding one handed save. Devine and Cooke then missed great chances to extend the lead before Patterson scored a thunder bolt volley from inside the penalty area through a crowd of players to give some daylight between the sides. Rouslton came on with 20 minutes to go and extended the lead even further with a neat side footed first time shot past the out rushing Burke. Over 300 fans watched, cheered and congratulated the team on yet another title. F&W representative Mr Rory Lynch said a few words and presented the Brendan Love trophy to captain John Donaghey on the pitch and surrounded by his colleagues and fans he duely
Michael Logue Age: 24 Position: Centre Midfield/Right Back Occupation: Cutting Room in O’Neill’s Sportswear Team captain John Donaghey proudly displays the Brendan Love Trophy after securing the F&W Division two title on Tuesday night last.
Proud team boss Martin Doherty holds the Brendan Love Trophy - his second league title to date. The team enters the top table of Division One football next season.
lifted it to a raptureous roar and the party was in full flow. John stated; “Nothing is better playing football with friends from your home town and to captain a team to two successive league titles is an honour an a memory I’ll never forget.” He went on to say that he doesn’t think the silver wear is done with just yet and wants his team to challenge on all fronts again next year. A lot of hard work on the training pitch was put it but when you enjoy it as much as everyone has it makes it all worth while. Manager Martin Doherty said; “It is an honour to have managed my home town club and I am proud of all the players for their commitment and determination throughout the entire season and bringing yet more success to a town that has been starved of it for far too long.”
He thanked all those involved, his assistants, committee, sponsors and the mass fanbase that is expanding by the match. He went on to say that this is not just about the team tonight, it’s about everyone that helped throughout the season and a special thanks would have to go to young Aaron Brennan who couldn’t join the celebrations tonight but will be back stronger than ever next year. The clubs PRO, Marcel Griffin stated that the success on the pitch would not be achievable if it wasn’t for all the hard work put in by everyone, committee, management, players and club members who have helped put Strabane Atheltic on the football map in Northern Ireland. He thanked all the sponsors for their help and generosity throughout the season and hopes it continues for many years to come.
Quadruple Sporting Joy for Strabane! FROM FRONT PAGE Team manager Martin Doherty said that it is an honour to have managed his home town club: “I’m proud of all the players for their commitment and determination throughout the entire season, and in bringing yet more success to a town that was starved of it for far too long. I’d like to thank all those involved, my assistants (Declan McColgan and Gary McGettigan), the committee, the sponsors and the mass fanbase that is expanding with every match,” he said. He went on to pay special tribute to Aaron Brennan who suffered a broken leg in the team’s Mulhern Cup semi final against Tummery Athletic last week. Capturing the league title in front over over 300 fans was a slice of redemption for the club, who were missing several players after last week’s farcical Mulhern Cup game, which saw
three Strabane players sent off. Club PRO Marcel Griffin said the title win, coupled with the success of the Holy Cross College and St Mary’s Boys PS, provides a solid platform for future glory: “It’s great to have something to celebrate and this gives us lots to build on for the future. Success breeds success and things are certainly looking up for the game in Strabane. But success on the pitch would not be achievable if it wasn’t for all the hard work put in by everyone, committee, management, players and club members who have helped put Strabane Atheltic on the football map in Northern Ireland. I’d like to thank all the sponsors for their help and generosity throughout the season,” he said. The trophy will take pride of place at the club’s awards night at the Strabane Golf Club on Saturday 26th May
Strabane Ath. Club Notes Golf Classic
SAFC 2012 Awards Night
Thanks to the sponsors of the prizes: Frylite Ireland Ltd and Christy’s Sports Bar Thanks to all the tee sponsors: Aidan Caldwell Plant Sales, Amigo’s, Banty’s Barbers, Blades Barber Shop, Boran Mopak, Cafe Fresco, Carlin Construction, Chris Doherty Electrics, Christy’s Off Licence, Crazy Cabs, DC Tyres, Devine Sand & Gravel, Dixies Bar, Floor Store, Francie McCauley, Greg Mitchell Motors, John Hannigan, Kevin McGill Painting Contractors, Martin McGeehan, Upholstery, McGoldrick Sports, Medicare, Paolos Pizzas, Pat McCallion, Paul McGeough, Pool Bar, Quigley’s Funeral Home, Riverveiw Chippy, Ronan McAnenny, Sean Sweeney, Strabane Herald, Subway, Victoria Electrics Thanks to Strabane Golf Club and staff for helping organise a great event on the day. It was a great success with 29 teams partaking. Winners sponsored by Frylite Ireland Ltd: Tommy Forbes from Strabane Golf Club has already sent these in - photo’s and names!!! Non-players winners sponsored by Christy’s Sports Bar: 1st-Tony Donaghey, 2nd-John Roulston, 3rd-Paul Cooke
Date: Saturday 26th May Time: 7pm Venue: Strabane Golf Club Tickets: Can be obtained from any of the committee and are priced at £15 per person - all players are ask to make sure they snap theirs up asap as places are limited Special Guest: Pat Donaghey Prizes up for grabs include the following: 1st and Reserve Player of the Year, 1st and Reserve Players Player of the Year, 1st and Reserve Top Goal Scorer, Club Young Player of the Year
Foyle Cup 2012
The club have an under 16 and under 19 team participating in this years competitions sponsored by Kerlin’s NISA Castletown Stores U16 Management: Sane Stewart & Warner Mullan U19 Management: Gerard Boyle
Congratulations to Local Schools
The club would like to congratulate the u16, u18 boys teams of Holy Cross College as well as St Mary’s Boys Primary School in their successful N.I Schools Cup triumphs.
Club(s) played for: Been quite a few – Sion Swifts, Mourne Harps, Abercorn, Strabane, Institute U21’s, Barrowfield and last but definitely not least Strabane Athletic Club you support: King Kenny’s Liverpool Favourite Food/Drink: Steak and chips smothered in creamy peppered sauce Favourite TV Series/Film: Family Guy and Inbetweeners / Anchorman and Snatch Who is your favourite past / present footballer? Messi has to be the best player of my generation but I loved watching Zidane as well, a clever intelligent player. Who has been the best footballer you have played with and against? Best I played with would have to be Brendan McLaughlin. He is strong, calm and can read the game very well. Best I played against would definitely be Richard Clarke. He taught me a lesson in a Summer cup a few years back. What is your fondest memory in football to date? Liverpool winning the 2005 Champions League against AC Milan – the greatest ever comeback! Who do you consider to be the most influential player in SAFC? Think that would be John McLaughlin. We are a better team when he plays. He knows when to hold it up, when to give that incisive pass and scores important goals in the big matches. What other sports do you partake in and what position do you play? Gaelic Football (Strabane Sigerson’s) and I like to play anywhere in the forward line. What passed local footballer would you have liked to play alongside and why? Gregory Kearney. I have heard some many great stories about how good he was and what he could do on the pitch. Possibly the best player the Strabane town has ever produced to date. With SAFC having secured successive league titles and promotions and also competing in the final of the Mulhern Cup, what in your opinion is a realistic aim for next season for the club? To do the same again and hopefully add the Irish Junior Cup to that list. We have the players, experience, quality and determination throughout the club, so why not! Finally, in one word what does it mean to play for your home town football team? Class