Junior season preview
Both our men’s junior teams are on the road this Sunday as competitive action returns. Our A team travel to Division Two winners Creeves Celtic, while our B team face Carrig Celtic B. Both games kick-off at 11.30am.
The club were delighted to finish 2018/19 with an U18 trophy and a first junior trophy in four years, meaning the appetite for success is still strong ahead of 2019/20.
A Team:
After the success of securing the Division One Cup last season, Adrian Costello will be hoping his side can kick-on and turn up in every game this season, in order to have success in both league and the various cup competitions. Having finished fourth last season, improving upon this will be the aim, in what is a much different looking division one.
Only Breska, Newcastle West Reserves, Rathkeale B, Shountrade and Shannonside remain, with Sunday’s opponents Creeves Celtic, Division Two runners-up St Ita’s, as well as Pallaskenry and Knockaderry all promoted to division one. Kildimo United return to Division One after a disappointing season in the Premier Division.
Breska can call upon the majority of last seasons squad, however, a couple of injuries and absentees have hit the squad ahead of the season. Attacker David Lowe has also been added to the team while Josh Fitzgerald and Niall Quane should be available weekly after college commitments last season hindered their involvement.
At the back, 2018/19 Player of the Year Diarmuid O’Connor will be joined by players synonymous with Breska Rovers Conor McCarthy and James Kennedy while Nathan Sheehan is in his second season with the club. James Purcell, man-of-the-match in the cup final, returns as goalkeeper once again.
Nigel Mann, David Fitzgerald and Kevin Foster will be hoping to add more silverware to their collection. Ger Mullins, TJ O’Connor and Sean Healy, all of who featured in the cup final win over Adare, will be hoping to cement their places in the team as well as chipping in with some goals after a somewhat disappointing season in front of goal last season for the entire squad.
B Team:
We’ve entered a second junior team for the first time in over a decade. This team will be overseen by Kevin Conway and Tom Clancy. They are able to call upon a large number of last years youth squad, while some more experienced players are also lining out.
Division Two presents an unknown quantity for all teams, with Breska Rovers B joined by fellow newcomers Askeaton B, Mountcollins, Carrig Celtic B. Also present are Abbeyfeale B, Glin B, Broadford United Reserves relegated Athea United, as well as promotion hopefuls Glantine and Askeaton A.
The squad has, hopefully, the right mix of youthful endeavor and money-can’t-buy experience. Young players, Orin Garvey, Jack Moroney, Ethan Keyes, Dylan Kelly and Ben Adams have been prominent in pre-season.
Meanwhile Michael Keating, Sean Gormley and Tommy Collery join the B team having played varying amounts of junior football last season.
In addition, (30+VAT) Declan Normoyle, Leonard Coughlan and Ivan Coughlan are on board, as is goalkeeper Seamie Lyons. Cian Hall found his first junior goal in pre-season, as did wingers Josh Moloney and Keith Punch.
There are plenty of options and the squad are hoping to hit the ground running in Carrigkerry this weekend.
Opportunities should come for more local players, with almost all players on both squads from Clarina, it augers well for hopefully another successful season.
Please support out junior teams throughout the season, particularly at home. Fixtures will be posted regularly on the website and facebook page.