RUFC Club Newsletter - July 2025
- Raheny United
- Jul 13
- 7 min read
Welcome to the July 2025 RUFC Club Newsletter, and our end-of-season wrap-up. From unforgettable Mini Leagues to dramatic final-day wins, it's been a season full of effort, energy, and incredible moments across the club. Here's a look back at how it all played out.
MiniLeagues 2025 review
Well, that’s a wrap on MiniLeagues 2025, and what a brilliant tournament it was once again. The numbers were up, the football was fantastic, and the atmosphere was better than ever. The standard keeps rising each year, and so does the number of kids taking part!
👧 A record 614 kids took part this year.
📅 Spanning nearly two weeks, the sun showed up (mostly), the rain stayed away (mostly), and the sideline support was as strong as ever.
⚽️ 110 teams laced up and gave it their all across every age group.
🧢 110 managers, plus plenty of co-managers, assistants and supportive parents.
🗺️ 261 matches played, totalling 5,935 minutes of football played!
🏅 630 medals and trophies were handed out, every single one earned.
🎧 Our 6 referees kept things on track and under control all week.
📱 The WhatsApp groups were in full flow. Updates, reminders, missing gear and one elusive goalkeeper glove.
🗂️ One very busy Excel spreadsheet kept everything together. Fixtures, results, tables, changes, hats off to Aido, Paul and everyone else who made it work.
🍔 Sunday’s BBQ was another highlight. 600 burgers, 400 sausages, and 200 goody bags disappeared quickly as players and parents celebrated a great end to the tournament 😉.
🖥️ And yes, one questionable goal and a bit of sideline drama sparked talk of VAR again. The jury’s still out.
🎙️ Special mention to our sideline commentator, David McIntyre, who added plenty of colour to the games through his trusty bullhorn, some say it could be heard as far away as Wicklow!
Damien Duff once called the Raheny United Mini Leagues "the best league in the world". He was unfortunately unavailable for comment this time, said to be taking a break from the game, but we’re pretty sure he’d say the same again!
8.1 season comes to a close
What a way to finish the season! To cap off an incredible year, our U8.1 team laced up their boots one last time, but this time, for a fun round of Footgolf! For many of the boys, it was their first experience with the game, and they absolutely loved it. They tackled each hole with the same energy, enthusiasm, and teamwork they’ve shown on the pitch all season. There were some epic long-range kicks, a few adventurous detours into the trees, and non-stop laughter from start to finish.
It was the perfect celebration of a season filled with hard work, growth, and brilliant football.
Well done on a brilliant season A.J, Leon, Irla, Oscar, Alex, Lucas, Lenny, Allister, Kian, Sonny, Cillian, Leonardo, Cole, and Finn. Your coaches Colin, Giovanni, and Ferdia are very proud of you all.
Final day drama....
After months of hard work, heart, and hustle, it all came down to the final game. Our mens senior 3B LSL team needed nothing less than a win against a strong Lusk UTD side, a draw wouldn’t be enough, with LiffeyBank breathing down Raheny's necks right to the final whistle.
And when we say there was drama, we mean there was drama!
We were 1–0 up with just seven minutes to go.
The title was within reach.
Then it all started to fall apart.
A red card for our centre-half.
Lusk equalised.... it was 1–1 with minutes to go.
It was slipping away.
On the sidelines, LiffeyBank players who came to watch began to celebrate, thinking the title was theirs.
Lusk’s players jeered our supporters. It was all unravelling.
But our lads weren’t done yet.
With just 10 men, we broke forward and scored a sensational goal.
Pandemonium.
Supporters spilling onto the sidelines in disbelief and joy.
Then, another red card! Raheny are down to 9 men with two minutes to go.
Lusk pushed hard for another equaliser.
But once again, our boys caught them on the break.
Another goal!
Game over!
League won!
From heartbreak to heroics in seven breathless minutes.
An unforgettable end to an unforgettable season.
Well done, Raheny United. League Winners: Charlie, David, Jonathan, Casper, Cian, Brian, Sean, Evan, Eoin, Stephen, Sean, Dylan, Shane, Josh, Sean, Darragh and Luke.
2024/25 Season Roll Of Honour
It’s been another hugely successful season for Raheny United. Here’s a roundup of our achievements on the pitch:
Girls Teams
⭐️ U14.1 Girls – League Winners (Note: 14.1 was girls)
⭐️ U11.1 Girls – Strong Cup Run in SFAI U12 Girls Cup (an age group up)
Boys Teams
⭐️ U17M – DDSL Cup Winners
⭐️ U16.7 – League Winners & Cup Finalists
⭐️ Sat U15.6 – Promoted
⭐️ Sun U14.2 – League Winners
⭐️ Sun U12.1 – DDSL Cup Finalists
⭐️ Sun U11.1 – DDSL Cup Winners
Men’s Senior Section
⭐️ Saturday LSL 3B – League Winners
👀 For a more detailed look at how some of our sides got on at the end of the season, check out May's newsletter.
Rookies Roundup
The monthly update from our amazing Rookies academy!
Mini leagues to the rescue ⚽️ 🥅
Our final academy day was rained out 🌧️☔️... but not to worry - all the players returned the following weekend for their mini leagues! Thankfully, the weather was beautiful, allowing us to enjoy the day and say a proper goodbye to our 2018 group as they move on to play U8 next season.
📢📢📢 The academy is always on the lookout for more volunteers. Whether you're experienced or new to volunteering, we provide full support and guidance. All you need is enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved!
"Behind the Boots"
We get to know some of the people that make our club great.... 💪⭐️
Introducing player....
⭐️ Josh Murphy⭐️
What team do you play for and what position do you play?
I play for the U10.2 Sunday team, position centre back or centre midfield.
Who's your football idol or who do you look up to?
Luca Modrić.
What's your favourite memory at the club so far?
Taking part in the Blackpool Cup 2025.
You're being sent to a desert island 🏝️ What three items would you bring and why?
My football and PS5 to keep me busy..... and sweets!
This or That? 🤔
Left foot or right - right foot
Winning or playing well- winning
Practice dribbling or practice passing- practice passing
Xbox or Playstation- Playstation
Summer or Winter- Summer
Halloween or Christmas- Christmas
Spice bag or 4 in 1- spice bag
Cats or dogs- dogs
Sweey or savoury- sweet
Neymar or Mbappé- Mbappé
Stepping into the spotlight this month for our coaches is......
⚽️ Paul McAtee ⚽️
What's your role and how long have you been with the club?
I am currently Director of Football at the club and I joined in May 2021 in the middle of Covid! 🙈
What's your favourite memory at the club so far?
I think the Mini Leagues are a highlight of every year. I love seeing the lads progressing from the academy to organised games at U8. I don't see all the teams playing all the time so the mini leagues is a great place to see all these players playing again.
Any words of wisdom for the younger players?
Always do your best; you can't do any more than that. I see young players putting themselves under pressure to play well and win. Being nervous just means you think you can't do "it" but if "it" is doing your best, then you can always do it. If it doesn't go to plan, and you want to increase your chance of being better next time, albeit there is never any guarantee, then work hard to improve. Each player should only be competitive with themselves and look to improve themselves because they can't control what others do.
You're being sent to a desert island🏝️ What three items would you bring and why?
I assume "items" is not my wife and 2 kids so i'll stick to possessions!😂 I'd bring a ball for sure. I'd bring an iPad with books loaded onto the Kindle app - I'd be able to watch football on the iPad too. I'd bring sunglasses; I can't deal with sun or bright lights 😎
This or That Paul? 🤔
Left foot or right- right
VAR... fair or flawed- flawed
Extra time or penos- extra time
Winning or playing well- Under 15, playing well. Under 16 and above, winning
Adventure or relaxation- adventure
Barry's or Lyons- Lyons
Spice bag or 4 in 1- spice bag
Cats or dogs- neither!
Sweet or savoury - sweet
Neymar or Mbappé - Messi??? If I have to answer, then Mbappé
Thanks Josh & Paul, it's been great getting to know you!
Interested in taking part or nominating someone for "Behind the Boots"? We'd love to hear from you... Email us on info@rahenyunited.ie
Men's Health Week 2025
Men's Health Week took place across Ireland from 9th -15th June with the theme "Shoulder to Shoulder- Connecting for Health". This campaign reminds men and boys about the importance of looking after their health, both body and mind. Small steps can make a big difference, whether that's staying active, talking about mental health or going for regular check ups. At Raheny United we encourage everyone to make health a priority, both on and off the pitch. For some tips and useful resources, visit mhfi.org, Men's Health Forum in Ireland.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
We extend a very special thank you to Castlerock for sponsoring this year's Mini Leagues.
A huge thank you to Bundys.ie for sponsoring all of the delicious burger buns and hot dog rolls for our end of Mini Leagues BBQs!
A big thank you to our sponsors Spectrum Engineering for sponsoring the U16 boys team.
We also extend our thanks to the Manhattan Raheny for sponsoring our Under 13 boys team.
📣 Want to see your team featured?
We love sharing all the amazing updates from across the club. But we can only do that with your help! Every story in the newsletter or on socials comes directly from a coach submission. If you’d like your team to be included, or have anything to share at all, please ask your coach to get in touch:
✉️ For the newsletter: coach should email info@rahenyunited.ie
📸 For social media: coach should contact Laura directly.
We rely entirely on what’s sent in, so if something’s missing, it just means we didn’t hear about it. Thanks for helping us keep the whole club connected and celebrated. 🖤 🤍 ⚽ ⚠️
Our club is growing bigger and bigger - we need volunteers more than ever! If you want to support or volunteer with Raheny United in any capacity, get in touch. Your town, Your town,your club. Get involved!
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