Touchline Talk from Rathfriland Football Club

RANGERS STATS ARE HARD TO BEAT! - Rathfriland Rangers finished third in the Northern Amateur Football League Division 1B with some of the stats making for interesting reading! Despite scoring more goals and conceding less than runners up Orangefield OB, Rathfriland Rangers missed out on promotion by a point – as the saying goes, “It’s a funny old game!”

In all competitions our top four goalscorers scored 102 goals between then with Ally Wilson finishing with a record breaking 51, Ally Beck on 27, Ryan Evans 14 and Stevie Coulter on 10. Runaway winners Crumlin Star were undefeated all season drawing only one game and yes you’ve guessed it that game was against Rathfriland! Crumlin Star and Orangefield OB will head for Division 1A and be replaced in Division 1B by Immaculata and Bloomfield with Bryansburn and Donard Hospital falling to 1C. TROPHIES RECALL! - Could everyone who has trophies from last season please return them to the home of Dessie Davenport or Treasurer John Annett as soon as possible.

ROSY DAY FOR OUR BOYS IN ROSEBOWL - Well done to Rathfriland Rangers players Ally Wilson and Ryan Evans who both played for the Northern Ireland Amateur League team against their Scottish counterparts this weekend in the Amateur League Britton Rosebowl competition. Northern Ireland won on penalties with both our men playing vital roles in the win – Ally Wilson scored the equaliser making it 1- 1 taking the game to penalties which our boys won in a nail biting finish.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

QUOTE OF THE WEEK - This week`s quote of the week has to go to Mark Bickerstaff. When Ally Wilson and Ryan Evans were being photographed for their picture both were keen that their hair was right for the big snap – it was at this point where Mark claimed, “It`s the Amateur League Rosebowl you are being photographed for not the Rose of Tralee!”

RATHFRILAND FC GOLF CLASSIC - A big thankyou to all who entered teams in the annual Rathfriland FC Golf Classic at Banbridge Golf Club on Friday past. A big thankyou as well to all the sponsors who supported the event so well and to Club Secretary Trevor Weir who organised and managed the event on the day. The prize winners were as follows:-

Nearest Pin – David Gilmore and David Niblock

Longest Drive – Andrew Best 4th – Clive Donaldson, Harold McCabe, Gareth MCDowell, Robert Ervine. 3rd – Alex Scott, David Gilmore, Kyle McKnight, Adrian Megaw. 2nd – Higgens Bar; Winners – David Niblock, Alan Wilson, Aaron Clydesdale, Andy Smith.

CONGRATULATIONS! Congratulations to Rathfriland FC player Mark Bickerstaff and his fiancée Amy who got engaged on Friday past.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

HAROLD JOINS GOLF CLASSIC - Great to see Harold McCabe at the Rathfriland FC Golf Classic on Friday last week. Harold joined in with Clive Donaldson, Gareth McDowell and Robert Ervine and played his part in the team finishing in the prizes at 4th place. Had Chub been in the team he would have brought the average score down and out of the prizes!

RATHFRILAND FC AWARDS NIGHT With the 50th Anniversary Dinner Dance on Saturday 23rd June, Rathfriland FC`s annual awards will take place at the club on Saturday 26th May at 7.30pm. There will also be a steak barbecue on the evening with music afterwards.

UNDER 8`S WRAP UP FOR SEASON - Rathfriland FC Under 8`s finished their 10 week IFA Development Programme at St Coleman`s in Newry on Saturday and played two very strong Oxford Sunnyside teams. In the first game it finished 8 – 1 with Shane Haughey getting a great goal with a long range strike in off the crossbar while in the second game it finished 5 – 2 with Adam Trimble and Harry Annett getting on the scoresheet with a goal apiece. Overall a great run of football over the last number of weeks for the boys who continue to show great promise for the future. They can be very proud of what they have achieved this season for themselves, their parents, the coaches and Rathfriland FC.

BEST WISHES - Best wishes to Rathfriland FC Under 11`s and Under 16`s who play in cup semi finals this week.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS - Rathfriland FC will hold their 50th Anniversary celebrations on Saturday 23rd June at the Slieve Donard Hotel, Newcastle. This will be a “Black Tie” event with comedian Gene Fitzpatrick and live music by “Track of the Foot”part of the bill. Tickets are priced at £40 – all players, officials, sponsors and supporters past and present will be very welcome. Black tie suits can be accessed at S.D. Kells, Banbridge. More details to follow.

Related topics: