Touchline Talk from Rathfriland Football Club

IN COMMITTEE! - The next committee meeting will take place next Tuesday, April 20 at 7.30pm.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY: Wednesday April 21 (5.45pm) – Umbro Quadrangle International Tournament – Iveagh Park; Friday May 7 – Rathfriland FC Golf Classic – Banbridge Golf Club; Saturday May 29 – Rathfriland FC annual Dinner Dance and Awards – Balmoral Hotel, Warrenpoint; Saturday June 5 – John Ingram Memorial Fun Day – Iveagh Park.

DID YOU KNOW - Mervyn Groves reckons that you couldn`t set a clockin` hen on one of Chris Frazer’s straw bales!

SPONSOR BOARDS - It is the intention of Rathfriland FC to continue to surround the main Iveagh Park pitch with Sponsorship boards over the coming months.

Any person or business wishing to take the opportunity to have their business displayed 24/7 at the Wembley of the Mournes please contact our Commercial Manager Mr Dessie Davenport on 07767817703.

There will be an initial fee for the set up of the board and also a sponsorship subscription which would be renewed annually.

RFC ROLL OF HONOUR: 1962 – Rathfriland FC formed; 1965 – Iveagh Park opened; 1975 – Newcastle League Champions, Mid Ulster Shield Winners; 1976 – Mid Ulster Shield Winners, John Magee Cup Winners, Mid Ulster League Champions (Division Four); 1977 – Mid Ulster League Champions (Division Three); 1978 – Mid Ulster Shield winners, attained First Division status in the Mid Ulster League; 1979 – Mid Ulster Shield finalists; 1980 – Pavilion opened; 1982 – Irish Junior Cup finalists, Ingram Park opened; 1996 – Bobby Dalzell Cup finalists; 1997 – Winners NAFL Division 1B; 1998 – winners, NAFL Division 1A; 2005 – John Magee Cup winners; 2006 – New pavilion opened; 2007 – Bignian Cup finalists; 2008 – Mid Ulster League Champions (Division Three); 2009 – Foster Cup finalists.

SATURDAY REVIEW - Rathfriland FC had both Rangers and Swifts in action on Saturday with Rangers drawing 0–0 at home to Ballynahinch Utd while the Swifts lost 3–1 away to Lurgan Institute. The Colts meanwhile had no fixture.

MATCHDAY SPONSOR - A massive thank you to matchday sponsor, Tom Kelly’s Bar, Rathfriland for Rangers` final home league game of the season on Saturday past. The committee are much indebted to the sponsor for their generosity towards Rathfriland FC.

SWIFTS HOME TO LEADERS DUNGANNON TIGERS - This Saturday Rathfriland Swifts host league leaders and surely Division Two title winners Dungannon Tigers in a league fixture at Ingram Park.

The visitors are unbeaten in the league this season but the Swifts came so close to defeating them in the return fixture way back in November when they were leading 2–1 with two minutes to go and were beaten 3–2 in injury time. Can the Swifts be the first or possibly the only side to defeat them in the league this season? All will be revealed by 4pm on Saturday! Kick off 2.15pm.

RANGERS REMAINING FIXTURES: Saturday April 17/Saturday April 24 – No fixture; Saturday May 1 – away to Civil Service; Saturday May 8 - away to Bryansburn Rangers.

FIXTURE BOARD: Saturday April 17: Rangers – no fixture; Swifts – home to Dungannon Tigers (kick off 2.15pm); Colts – no fixture.

MATCHDAY SPONSORS: Sponsors so far this season: Saturdau October 3 – Kenny McKnight; Saturday January 9 – Higgins’ Bar, Banbridge.

Anyone or any business wishing to sponsor a matchday please see any member of the committee.

RATHFRILAND FC YOUTH: Rathfriland FC Youth training will recommence at Iveagh Park tomorrow (Wednesday April 14) at 7pm for U9s and 8pm for the age groups above this.

SWIFTS REMAINING FIXTURES: Tuesday April 13 – home to Ballyoran; Saturday April 17 – home to Dungannon Tigers; Saturday April 24 – away to Ballyoran; Tuesday April 27 – away to Gilford Crusaders; Saturday May 1 – home to Ardmore Rovers; Saturday May 22 – home to Tullyvallen (may be changed to midweek game).

HOT SHOTS 2009/2010: Rangers: Lee Mackin 8; Joe Toal 5; Kyle Heslip 3; Keith Megaw, Niall Fitzpatrick - 2; Chris Taylor, Connor Larkin, Simon Groves, Adrian Megaw, Ryan Monaghan, Stevie Ferris, Chris Frazer – 1.

Swifts: Niall Maginn 7; Mark Milligan 6; Stevie Parsons 5; Chris Frazer, Micky Morgan – 4; Micheal Quinn, Brian Magennis, Andrew Monaghan – 3; Niall Fitzpatrick, Liam McGivern, Joe Maginn – 2; Paddy Monaghan, John Ervine, Philip Waddle, William Morrison, Philip Johnston, Lee McDowell, Jackie Lynch, David Gilmore, Kyle Heslip, Paul Campbell – 1.

Colts: Daryl Monaghan 4; Gary O`Reilly, Ryan Weir, Mark Patterson, Ryan Hillen – 3; Kris Herron,

John Frazer, Michael Morgan, Stevie Morton – 2; Colm McComish, Liam McGivern, Neill Goodwin, Alex Scott, Daryl O’Reilly – 1.