SENIOR TRAINING

A note for all senior footballers! Training has started, the sessions are scheduled for every Monday and Thursday at 7.30p.m. sharp and the option of a Sunday afternoon also. Boots and trainers are required at all sessions. This invitation to train is extended to all senior, junior and minor footballers from last year and also any new minors this year. The club would also like to invite anyone wishing to become a playing member of the club to come to training and contact our Registrar Darren O Neill.

THE LOTTO JACKPOT IS SCOOPED

The draw for the club lotto was held on boxing night due to the Sunday being Christmas Eve. The unusual timing of this however will not bother Joe Henry who scooped the whopping jackpot of £2500. It goes to show that you have to be in it to win it. The lotto will re-commence on Sunday 7^th January and you can pick up your tickets at Stevie Henry’s shop, Floral Fayre and Michelle’s shop. It only costs a quid for 2 attempts so why not give it a go.

JUNIORS ARE MC CORMICK CUP CHAMPIONS

The senior reserve team clinched the Mc Cormick cup for the first time in 8 years on Sunday the 17th December with a performance surely driven by the strange decision by the South West Antrim board to play the final in Cargin. The lads were tremendous throughout this encounter even though preparations for the final were most definitely hampered by the ambiguity surrounding the venue and the date of the match. Howevewr the game went ahead and the men from Aldergrove travelled to Toomebridge fully intent on coming back with the trophy. This showed during the early exchanges as the reds started the brighter, opening up a five point advantage early on which they held at the interval. Cragin, however came out strong in the second half and showed their rougher side as a series of hard, and some unfair, challenges led to one of Aldergroves' main performers on the day, Gavin Graham, coming off injured 10 mins into the final period. This enforced substitution clearly rattled the underdogs from Crumlin and Cargin clawed thier way back into the game and then into a 1 point lead. But in true Aldergrove spirit, the boys rallied and somehow lifted themselves from the jaws of defeat to victory with a flurry of late points from Marc Meleady and Marty Finnegan to win the game by 2 points, 1-9 to 1-7. top scorer on the day was Meleady and the minor star is sure to feature prominently in the senior team for the coming season. Just rewards for the juniors who now enjoy the benefits of a hard season and hopefully this cup can inspire the seniors next year. A special congatulations goes to manager Stephen Graham, who has persevered all season with less than the bare bones at times. Congratulations to all the players and management from the committee and lets hope that winning silverware is a sign of things to come

MANAGERS NOW IN PLACE FOR THE 2007 SEASON

The committee have elected all but 1 of the mentors for the coming season. The only position that remains vacant is the post of minor manager, all the others have been decided and there are a few changes but the great work done this year is evident in the number of positions being retained.

Senior       -      Joe Henry and Joe McGarry

Junior       -      Marty Flynn

Ladies       -      Eamon Morris

U - 16        -      Seamy Henry, Sean McQuade and Peter Higgins

U - 14        -      Joe Hendron Paul Doherty and Alan Kelly

U - 12        -      James Brazier and Christopher McGarry

U - 10/8/6 -      Gary McGeady, Ciaran Hanna, Des Long, Sonia Mc Kenna, John Jones, Aiden O Callaghan and Joe Feeney

Good luck to all those mentors voted in and thank you for the hard work that you all put in every year and with the same commitment this year the club can only prosper, Aldergrove Abu.

MC CORMICK CUP FINAL POSTPONED

The senior reserve team will be a frustrated bunch when they hear that the Mc Cormick cup final due to be played this weekend has been postponed until the new year with february a likely date.  The match versus Cargin was scheduled for Sunday 17th of December in Toome, but with an unfair home advantage for the Erins Own outfit and their involvement in both the O Cahan cup and Under 21 Championship finals both sets of mentors agreed that the match would be played in 2007. Exact dates and venues will be posted here and in the newsletter as soon as we know.

MINORS CRASH TO DEFEAT TO MONEYGLASS

Not for the first time this season our minor squad has struggled to pass the big test put in front of them. Although Moneyglass are undoubtedly a good side more was expected from the young reds and they failed to deliver. This semi-final defeat was just as surprising, if not more so than the defeat to Lamb Dhearg a couple of months back.  Aldergrove enjoyed prolonged periods of possession throughout the game, however, they could not take advantage of this and put the necessary scores on the board to see off a dogged, well disciplined outfit. Leading by a point and seemingly in control, if not comfortable, a harsh free was conceded in the middle of the park. The infuriated lads surrounded the referee to complain, as they did so, the fouled Moneyglass man brushed himself off and took a quick free kick. The ball into the forward line was perfect and the full forward powered the ball past the hapless Paul Johnston in goals. Panic was visible in the faces of players and managers alike as the lads searched desperately for the goal to get them back in front. A point with the last kick of te game wasn't enough as Moneyglass progress to the decider and best of luck to them. All thats left now for the reds is the Laverty cup and the boys need to raise their game if they are to salvage their tattered season.

                                                        SEAMUS HENRY STEPS DOWN

 Seamy Henry has decided not to sit on the executive committee for the forthcoming year. It is a blow to the committee to lose someone with such experience and knowledge but it is a decision he has not taken lightly. Seamy has served on the committee for the last 20 years and put copious amounts of time into running the club as Chairman for many years and in a lesser role of assistant treasurer for the last year. Seamus is expected, however, to still take an active part in the club including his role as under 16 mentor and continuing his hard work driving the club forward. The club would like to thank Seamus for his dedication and hard work he has put into the club, without him the club would not be in such a prominent position in both footballing terms and within the community.

NEW COMMITTEE NOW IN PLACE AFTER AGM!

The Annual General Meeting was held in the clubrooms on Sunday 12^th of November and its all change this year.  After quite a lengthy meeting in which many matters were discussed after a pretty unsuccessful year for the club on the field members present got down to voting (eventually). The newly elected committee is as follows:

Chairman-            Gerry McDonald

Vice Chairman-   Stephen Graham

Secretary-             Eamon Morris

Ass. Secretary-     Kevin McConnell

Treasurer-             Aiden O’Callaghan

Ass. Treasurer-     Liam Taggart

PROs-                     Joseph Donnelly

Gary McGeady

Registrar-              Darren O’Neill

Congratulations to all those elected and it is hoped that you all can help to drive the club in a forward direction.

GRUMPO LEADS RESERVES TO THE Mc CORMICK CUP FINAL

Aldergrove’s senior reserves have earned a place in the McCormick cup final thanks to a hard fought victory over Portglenone. The 1-8 to 1-7 scoreline was a fair reflection on the match and the reds shaded their counterparts by the minimum. Led by old stalwart James Brazier, Aldergrove impressed throughout, with some slick passing moves epitomised by minor star Cormac Doherty’s major at the start of the second half.  Best performances of the day were had by Gavin Graham, who showed a touch of class at centre half forward and Gareth Corey, steady at number 6.  The boys now await the winners of Rasharkin v Cargin in the other semi. The final is due to be played on Sunday the 10^th December (not confirmed). A bus travelling to the match is being organised by Stephen Graham (contact 07841353782 for details). This result made up for the disappointment at losing out in the quarter final stage of the all-county reserve football championship to Rasharkin last week.  That defeat was a bitter pill to swallow after not playing a match for over a month due to a poor fixture schedule. This showed as the team slumped to defeat against a strong side. I’m pretty sure that the boys would like another crack at Rasharkin in the final to make amends for their championship exit. An interview with a buoyant Grumpo leads me to the conclusion that the final day will be something special win, lose or draw. Good luck to the boys in that match and hopefully with the support of all members we can bring home the cup.

A NEW DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE IS ESTABLISHED

A development committee has been established within the club to develop not only the clubhouse and its surroundings but also develop the coaching and footballing standards of all our players. The aim of the committee is to create a development plan which the sporting council can evaluate and hopefully supply the funding necessary for these advances to be made. The committee is as follows:

Kevin McConnell

Gary McGeady

Ciaran Hannah

John Jones

AN Other

COUNTY STARS AND AN ULSTER PLAYER

Congratulations are due to veteran Dairmuid Brown representing Antrim over the last year at over 40s. ‘D-Lo’ made another giant step when he went on to play for Ulster against Australia in the recent compromise rules series. Called in as a late replacement to the panel he came off the bench in the first quarter. A hopefull ball was pumped into the box and Dairmuid took the mark and coolly slotted it over the bar. Dairmuid will again be representing Antrim at this level in the coming year and we would like to wish him the best of luck. Congratulations are also due to Ryan Maguire who has earned a place in the training panel of the Antrim senior squad. Also representing the club at county level are minors Daniel Trowlen, Kevin McBride, Marc Meleady and Chris McVeigh. Well done and good luck to all our county representatives. The top class coaching they receive can only benefit the club.