RUFC Club Newsletter - May 2026

Plenty of league titles arrive with tension, nerves, and chewed finger nails. Then there are league titles that arrive exactly ours; under the lights on Friday night, in front of a home crowd, six goals for the good, a guard of honour, and a team that looked every inch worthy champions.

By the time the final whistle blew on Friday night, nobody watching on at pitch 5 needed reminding who the best side in the league had been.

What made it all the more remarkable was where the season had started! One solitary point from the opening three league games. An awful start. Pressure already building by autumn. For plenty of teams, that kind of opening sets the tone for the rest of the season.

But from there, Raheny were unstoppable. The title-clinching run was relentless. Week after week, the unbeaten streak stretched on. If they avoid defeat away to Swords Celtic in this coming Wednesday night’s final fixture at the AUL, they will finish the campaign having gone 23 league matches unbeaten while also ending the season as the division’s top scorers.

League titles are not won on a single Friday night in May. They are won across the long season, dark winter training sessions, week-in week-out, tricky away trips, and players fighting tooth and nail for a place in the side.

Training numbers regularly sat between 18 and 20 players each Monday and Wednesday nights, with the intense competition for places driving standards higher and higher all season. New signings settled quickly, existing players stepped up, and a group that had come close in previous seasons finally found the consistency needed to sustain a title charge.

Speaking to manager James O'Neil after the game, he paid tribute to the many people behind the scenes who helped drive the season on, describing the support from the club committee and senior subcommittee as “simply huge” throughout the entire campaign. He singled out Aiden O'Looney, Noel Prendiville, Ronan Richmond, and Paul McGovern for special mention.

He spoke openly about the value of having key figures to lean on during difficult periods of the season, specifically praising the work of coaches Mick Kelly and Mark Ryan, saying their contribution on the coaching side had been “second to none”. Just as importantly, he pointed to the standards within the squad itself, with players constantly “keeping each other on their toes” through strong competition for places and high attendance levels across training nights. "It's been a privilege to being part of that group" said the manager.

O'Neil also made a point of acknowledging the wider support network around the squad, thanking wives, girlfriends, partners, family, friends, and everyone who contributed in the background across the season. Whether it was support at home, on the sidelines, or travelling to away matches, James described that backing as “fundamental to what we’ve done here”.

It really is a community effort. Before kick-off on Friday night, the club’s U12 side formed a guard of honour as the players emerged from the clubhouse onto pitch 5. And after the final whistle, supporters, partners, kids, extended families, coaches and players alike all spilled back to the clubhouse where the trophy was passed around for pictures. A brilliant celebration; not just for the players, but for all involved.

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11.5 Raheny and Harold's Cross in 8-goal thriller

Raheny United U11s took on a very strong Harold’s Cross side who came into the game on a long unbeaten run.

The match started at a high intensity, and the Raheny coaches were taken aback at how sharp and up for it our lads looked from the off.

The first moment of drama was not long coming. Harold’s Cross were awarded a penalty for handball, but Fionn Huss-Galavan produced a brilliant bottom corner save to deny the visitors an early lead.

In defence, Cillian McDermott was immense throughout, using his skill and strength superbly as he sniffed out attack after attack and refused to let Harold’s Cross through. Alongside him, George Quinn showed an excellent reading of the game with countless important interceptions and calm play out from the back. Alex O'Mórdha battled brilliantly all game with another typically tenacious performance, chipping in with key tackles from midfield.

Harold’s Cross did eventually go 1-0 ahead, but Raheny responded immediately through Matthew Mooney, who snuck in behind the defence before finishing well. Mooney struck again just minutes later with another surging run and composed finish. Harold’s Cross levelled immediately to make it 2-2, but Mooney completed a superb first-half hat-trick after an excellent Raheny move to send the home side in 3-2 ahead at the break.

All that... and we were only at half time!

Raheny were excellent throughout the second half, dominating large periods through a high press and organised midfield. Leo Haggerty marshalled things from centre midfield, breaking up play, and driving the team forward. Cormac Monaghan also brought his usual high intensity, helping Raheny repeatedly win back possession and set-up counter attacks.

Frankie Ball temporarily settled Raheny's nerves by extending the lead to 4-2 with a terrific half-volley from inside the box, only for Harold’s Cross to pull one back to make it 4-3 with 10 minutes remaining.

Up front, Dylan Kenny was key; linking-up brilliantly with the supporting midfield, and was unlucky not to score a blistering strike deep into the second half, forcing a huge top corner save from the Harold’s Cross goalkeeper.

With Kenny off, and our other regular centre-forward Jack Eviston-Blake unavailable (and missed) for this match, Oisin Beadie-Guerin bravely stepped out of midfield to lead the line for Raheny. As Raheny nervously counted down the final minutes and repelled Harold’s Cross’ search for an equaliser, it was Oisin who finally sealed the game, finishing off a flowing Raheny counter-attack with an unstoppable strike to make it 5-3.

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14.9 progress on and off the pitch

Raheny United U14.9 have shown strong progress this season, both in results and overall development.

Coached by Andrew Lambe and Maurice Troy, the squad has improved well throughout the year. While unlucky to lose to Lusk United on penalties in the cup, the team has been in strong form in the league with results improving from last season.

A big highlight of the season was the trip to Cork over the Easter weekend. The tournament, hosted by Carrigaline United, gave the players a great chance to test themselves against new opposition.

Raheny played well throughout the tournament against Carrigaline United, College Corinthians and Douglas Hall.

The standout moment came in the final, where Raheny beat Douglas Hall 3-2 to win the Shield Final. It was a great achievement for the squad and reward for the hard work shown across the season.

The Cork trip was also important off the pitch, helping build team spirit and stronger friendships within the group.

A big thank you to Carrigaline United for their hospitality, to team sponsors Company Bureau and Mills Photography, and to all the parents for their continued support.

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U12 M1 Girls turn on the style

Our U12 M1 Girls produced a superb comeback performance against 2nd in the table, Malahide United.  The game had barely started when Raheny went a goal behind, but the girls responded brilliantly. Elzee May Murray equalised quickly with her 10th goal of the season after good work from Sophie O’Connor on the wing.

Raheny settled into the game from there and took control. Elzee-May scored again after a through ball from captain Tia Radley Hoyle split the defence. She then helped create Raheny’s third, with Saoirse “Swish” Mulhern finishing after a save from the Malahide goalkeeper.

Strong defending from Layla Grant and Zoe Lattan kept Malahide quiet before Swish added her second of the game. Good work from Elle O’Doherty and efforts from Isabel Geraghty helped create the chance.

Raheny’s fifth came from a fine team move. Siun Daly won the ball well before Niamh O’Doherty played it wide to Eleanor Swift, whose cross found Zara Birney. Zara set up Elzee-May for her first hat-trick for the club and her 12th goal of the season!

The second half was tighter as Malahide pushed back into the game. Raheny defended strongly through Niamh, Layla, Siun and Zoe, while Zara, Tia and Eleanor all went close at the other end.

Malahide got a late second goal, but Raheny were deserved winners against a side that had only lost twice all season.

Overall, it was an excellent team performance full of hard work, resilience and good attacking football. Well done girls.

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Raheny Rookies

As we approach the close of the academy season, we're looking ahead to a mid-June finish, just before the always exciting end-of-season mini leagues. There's often a sense of mixed emotion at this stage, as we prepare to say farewell to our oldest players. This year, it's the 2019 age group who will be moving on to organised U8 matches.

With a few weeks still to go, we're focused on enjoying every session and making the most of the time before the Summer break.

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

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Behind the Boots

We get to know some of the players who make our club great! 💪

Introducing Dylan Donnet!

⭐️ Dylan Donnet⭐️

What team do you play for and what position do you play? 

U11.11 - I play anywhere in midfield or defence.

What's your favourite memory at the club so far?

Our first win as a team!

You're being sent to a desert island 🏝️ What three items would you bring and why?

Water to stay hydrated, spaghetti bolognese for food and a football.

This or That Dylan? 🤔

Left foot or right - right but can kick with left

Winning or playing well- playing well as a team

Practice dribbling or practice passing- dribbling

Xbox or Playstation- neither, Nintendo Switch

Summer or Winter- Summer because you can do more things

Halloween or Christmas- Christmas

Spice bag or 4 in 1- neither, peanut butter!

Cats or dogs- cats

Sweet or savoury- savoury

Pool or beach - pool

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

A massive THANK YOU to Costello Student Accommodation for sponsoring a new match day kit for our Women's Senior Team - Your support truly makes all the difference!

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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!