RUFC Club Newsletter - March 2026
- Newsletter
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- 6 min read
From academy blitzes to local derbies, it's been another busy month across our club, with cup drama, big performances and plenty happening off the pitch. We also look back at one of the people who helped shape the club, in this month’s RUFC Legends feature on Jimmy Ambrose. ⚽
RUFC Legends: Jimmy Ambrose
Jimmy Ambrose has been part of Raheny United for the best part of three decades. Player, player-manager, over-35s stalwart, committee member and sponsor. He stepped away at times, but always seemed to return when the club needed him. He even kept playing into his 50s. That sort of loyalty tends to turn into legend around here.
Before Raheny...
Jimmy played his schoolboy football with local club Grange Woodbine. In his early 20s he also spent time with Kilkenny City, and had a brief spell around the League of Ireland setup, before joining Kilmore United.
Kilmore were a Premier A side in the 1990s. While there, Jimmy was capped for Ireland as a junior international and also played with the AUL’s Oscar Traynor representative side.
By 1995, with his first child born and life centred around St Anne’s, football closer to home started to make more sense. Raheny soon came calling.
Arriving as player-manager
Around the 1996 season, aged 28, Jimmy joined Raheny as player-manager of the first team. The club were competing in Major Sunday in the Leinster Senior League, then the top junior division. In his first season, Raheny finished second and should have been promoted, but facility requirements meant the club could not move up. They stayed another year, finished second again, and then applied to move into the AUL.
Progress in the AUL
Raheny entered the AUL in Premier B. The first season was about finding their feet. The second season brought another second place finish, narrowly missing promotion after a controversial decision involving another club. The breakthrough came the following year when Raheny secured promotion to Premier A. Across six seasons as player-manager, Jimmy helped guide the club from Leinster Senior League junior football into the upper levels of the AUL.
Leaving and returning
After six years, Jimmy left the club and spent three seasons with Portmarnock.
But Raheny was never far away.
At 38 he was asked back by manager Dave Mooney and returned to play two more seasons in Premier A. His comeback debut did not go exactly to plan. Brought on as the experienced head to steady things, he conceded a late penalty and was promptly sent off. Those on the pitch still remind him of it today.
Over-35s and committee work
At 40, Jimmy moved into over-35s football and continued playing into his mid-50s, stopping only two years ago after further knee problems. During that time he also joined the club committee, helped secure sponsorship for teams and events, and managed the over-35s at different stages. He also spent a year managing the Leinster Senior League’s Oscar Traynor representative side.
Still connected
Jimmy is no longer heavily involved day-to-day but remains a corporate sponsor and stays connected to the club. His involvement with Raheny spans different roles and eras: player, manager, over-35s player, committee member and sponsor. Across all of it, one thing stayed consistent. When Raheny needed help, Jimmy was always willing to step in. That's what Raheny legends are made of.
YOUR NEWSLETTER NEEDS YOU 🫵
So much is happening across the club and our newsletter is growing month on month! We're looking for a volunteer to help us share the stories that make the club special. If you can chat to people, gather a few notes or pull content together, we’d love to hear from you. The role is very flexible, just a few hours a month, with lots of support provided.
Interested? Get in touch by emailing info@rahenyunited.ie
Match report: Raheny do the business in Ballyoulster
Raheny u12s travelled to Ballyoulster for our first cup game of the season expecting a tough test. Ballyoulster play a division above us and had beaten us 5–0 back in 2024, but Raheny arrived in good form after a strong league run, including a recent win over leaders Finglas.
Raheny lined up with Luke O’Carroll in goal, behind a defence of Benjamin Bowers, Harrison Lowther and Conor Davis. The midfield featured Ethan O’Carroll, Noah Madden, James Avolese and Arlo Keating, with Conor Ryan leading the attack. Lee Costello, Alex Burke and Eunan McElwee were ready to come off the bench.
Playing into a strong wind, Raheny started brightly and took control early.
The opener came after just six minutes when Conor Davis combined with Arlo Keating before driving forward and unleashing a powerful shot from distance that dipped under the crossbar.
Raheny doubled their lead on 14 minutes when Ethan O’Carroll broke down the right and crossed for Noah Madden, who controlled well before volleying home.
The third arrived soon after when James Avolese released Ethan down the right and he cut inside two defenders before finishing neatly at the near post.
With Raheny now 3–0 ahead at the break, the second half saw Ballyoulster push forward strongly with the wind at their backs. Raheny were forced to defend deeper but remained dangerous on the counter attack.
Lee Costello, Alex Burke, and later Eunan McElwee all entered the game and played important roles as Raheny worked hard to protect their lead.
Ballyoulster pulled one goal back early in the second half, setting up a tense final 20 minutes. Raheny’s defence held firm, with Harrison Lowther, Conor Davis and Lee Costello putting in strong performances at the back, while Luke O’Carroll made an excellent save from a powerful effort from the edge of the box.
There was one final scare when Ballyoulster created a clear chance late on, but the shot drifted just wide.
Raheny saw the game out well to secure a 3–1 win and progress to the next round.
Man of the Match: Harrison Lowther
Match of the day: U13 Boys Gerry Donnelly Cup
Raheny 5-4 Killester Donnycarney (After extra time).
It was an early start for Raheny’s U13.1 boys on Sunday, 22 February, with a 9:15am kick-off as they began their DDSL League Cup campaign. The opposition were close neighbours Killester Donnycarney, also competing in the 13.1 division, setting the stage for what promised to be an enthralling local derby.
Killester Donnycarney burst out of the blocks and raced into a 2–0 lead inside the opening five minutes, catching Raheny cold. The all-important third goal felt crucial, and it arrived for Raheny when Jacob Keenan finished neatly to pull one back and make it 2–1. That strike sparked the turnaround. Raheny began to take control, moving the ball with confidence and purpose. A quick-fire double from Scott Byrne, including a stunning 25-yard screamer, saw Raheny head into the break 3–2 in front.
The drama continued in the second half. Killester Donnycarney responded strongly, pushing forward and netting two goals in quick succession to reclaim the lead at 4–3. With time running out and the cup tie hanging in the balance, Raheny showed their character. With only minutes remaining, Zach Aylward popped up with a vital equaliser to make it 4–4 and force extra time!
As the game edged towards what seemed an inevitable penalty shootout, there was more drama. With just two minutes left on the clock, Ryan Leech struck home the decisive goal to give Raheny a thrilling 5–4 lead. Wild celebrations followed. A nine-goal cup classic! Well done, lads.
Derby delight for our u10 boys
Raheny United U10.17 boys marked the launch of their new kit today with a strong team performance against neighbours Clontarf FC.
There was goals galore for Raheny, and the result reflected the progress the group have made throughout the season, built on hard work, teamwork and growing confidence on the ball..
The new jerseys are a fitting reward for the players’ commitment and effort so far this season, and a great boost as they look ahead to the rest of the campaign.
The team would also like to thank their generous sponsor, and parent of team member Tommy Sherlock, for supporting the squad: https://www.eciffo.ie/
Raheny Rookies
The good weather has returned and it has really made a difference!
The 2019 group are really starting to fly....Over the past few weeks, the players have had some fantastic experiences, including taking part in a blitz with Shamrock Rovers, where they even got the chance to hold the FAI Cup - a moment they won’t forget anytime soon.
They have also enjoyed some great games against Mochtas, Home Farm and St Kevin’s, continuing to learn and develop with every match.
With the U7 league kicking off in just two weeks, the excitement is really building around the academy. The players are working hard, having fun, and looking forward to getting the organised league games underway.
We are seeking volunteers to support the academy. If you can assist in any way, even occasionally, we would love to hear from you. For more information or to get involved, please contact officeadmin@rahenyunited.ie
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
A massive THANK YOU to our incredible sponsors Gray & Murray Chartered Accountants and Eciffo for their generous sponsorship of our U10.1 and U10.4 teams - Your support truly makes all the difference!
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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