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SECOND DOUBLE SUCCESS IN THREE YEARS
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| The Association football side which were winners of the NIRA 5-a-side title |
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| The Association Quiz team make it 14th titles in a row in NIRA Quiz |
Report By David Hamilton
The FWRA arrived at Dungannon Youth Sport
with two objectives in mind to win the annual 5aside competion and annual quiz and duly delivered in both.Football
matters first, Manager Declan Grimes had a squad of nine players to choose from with a good mix of youth
and experience, in the opening fixture we where up against Mid-Ulster, A good opening performance from deckys boys running
out comfortable 3-0 victory with goals coming from Damien Maguire, Peter Connolly and David Hamilton, excellently marshal
at the back by Michael Connolly and Roy Beacom with keeper Taggart looking secure.
No rest between matches meant
we where pitted straight back in again against Tony Youngs North West outfit. A calm and composed performance from the FWRA
seen us record a 2-0 victory, opening goal by player manager Declan Grimes settled any nerves in the ranks and subs Peter Connolly and
Hamilton where sprung from the bench just before half time and gave fresh legs to the attack, soon after Peter Connolly gave
a good pass into Hamiltons feet and with his second touch thundered in the insurance goal for the victory.
Gong into
the final match against North East the FWRA only needed a draw to clinch the title the North East needing victory to deny
us. The opening exchanges brought a goal for the North East when an uncharchestic mistake by Michael Connelly let in Cecil
Foyle for a composed finish beyond the helpless Taggart in goal, this proved to be the spark Deckys team needed
to kick start our game, with the temperature of the match rising a shocking late challenge from North East king pin Floyd
left player manager Grimes on the "deck" in agony clutching his ankle in pain and leaving Referee Tony Young reaching
for yellow when it could have been red, Declan having to be carried off and replaced by sub Hamilton.
With the half time whistle sounding it was all to play for in the second half, the defining moment of the game arrived within
a minute of the restart when the lively Hamilton found Michael Connolly with a lovely through ball and the Aghyaran man
making up for his earlier mistake with a fine finish low into the corner giving the North East Keeper no chance. The final
minutes saw a flurry of yellows for defenders Farrell and Michael Connolly from Referee Young. Decky boys fought
like beavers to hold unto the draw. When the final whistle sounded victory was ours after a great team effort form the
lads. Manager Grimes paid tribute to his men for there efforts to bring the title home for 2nd time in 3 years. Well
done Declan Grimes, Roy Beacom, James Farrell, Luke Ormsby, Damien Maguire, Kevin Taggart, Peter Connolly, Michael Connolly
and David Hamilton for bringing trophy back and special mention to Grimes for all his efforts.
Tradionally FWRA strongest area as they had won annual quiz 13 in a row, the team
this year consisting of Arnold Hunter, Jarlath McElholm, Stewart Blair and debut boy Michael Connolly replacing Desmond McLaughlin
usually FWRA strongest competitor.
After 3 rounds of questions FWRA looked to be cruising to yet another title
before the 4th and final round the now infamous mystery round. This years mystrey round was pictures of English league
grounds proved to be tough going for the F&W boys after looking like dead certs we let our lead slip and ended
up finishing on the same points as our rivals North West taking us to sudden death shootout with top points scorer on
the day for us Michael Connolly being pitted against Paul Larkin of the North West after the opening two questions
still on deadlock, quizmaster Neville Cathcart declaring nearest answer will win it in the next question, you could
cut the atmosphere with a knife has the whole room held its breath as the two competiors worked out there answers, both men
held up there answers Connolly been the nearest answer won it for us to complete a marvellous double. Well done to Arnold
Hunter, Jarlath McElholm, Stewart Blair and Michael Connolly with the debut boy winning the overall indivual top scorer. The
team will now head to England in April to attempt win RA title. Chairman Basil Marshall was delighted with the Association
success and special mention for Decky Grimes and Michael Connolly
The Fermanagh & Western Referees' Association(FWRA) is
based in the South West of Northern Ireland, covering the entire County of Fermanagh and the south and west of County Tyrone.
It has 66 members, ranging in
age from 14 to 77 and without doubt the most progresive in the Country with its own development group since 1997 and already
the benefits are starting to show as members are promoted through the grades. The majority of these referees participate in the local Fermanagh & Western
Football Assocition and League, Irish Football Association Cup competitions, Carling Premier League, Ladbrookes.com
IFA Championship, Premier Reserve and Youth League also in the Mid Ulster, Northern Ireland Intermediate and
Amateur League.
With 1 senior referee, 1 Championship referee, 5 Intermediate referees, 9 IFA assistant
referees and 4 referees in the Premier Reserve and Youth League. The Association as two female referees. We
also have 4 IFA Assessors.
The Association was founded in 1968, George Parkinson the Association President is only
founder member involved, he also a Life Member of NIRA. The Association does have a full support structure in place for new referees which under guidance of two
IFA Instructors in the Association.
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The Fermanagh and Western Referees on the dance floor
 
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BREAKING NEWS
NATIONAL FOOTBALL AND QUIZ CHAMPIONS
REGISTER TO BECOME A REFEREE
PADDY MAKES IT 500
GAMES THIS SATURDAY
BASIL THE McALEERS MANAGER OF THE MONTH
(See latest News, IFA & Appointments)
"THE BOSS MAN" McALEERS SPAR MANAGER OF THE MONTH
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| Sinead McAleer presents the Manager of Month Award to Basil Marshall |
PADDY MAKES IT 500 GAMES
Omagh referee Paddy McRory on Saturday took charge of the Division encounter between Fintona
Swifts and Churchtown to register 500 appointments.
Paddy mainly referees in the Fermanagh and Western but this
season as also had outings on the line in Irish Cup and Ladbrookes.com Championship an recently assistant in the British Deaf
Cup.
Paddy very important to the Association and will referee where he sent and without a doubt deserves to given the
praise for what he as put into the local game.
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| Paddy McRory presented with Crystal Ball for 500 games by George Parkinson and Basil Marshall |
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| Cecil Givan at Lisnaskea Rovers v Drumquin United pic by Brian Weir |
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| James Farrell in IFA Youth League |
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| Deryck Wilson at Maguiresbridge v Omagh Hospitals pic by Brian Weir |
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| Luke Ormsby at Churchtown |
REGISTER
TO BECOME A REFEREE
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| Decky Grimes a former player who having very good second season as a referee |
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The Association are now asking anyone out there interested
in future referee beginners course to register there name NOW!
We asking former players to give it a blow and
one as only to look at referees currently in the Association to show how successful this as been with likes of Decky Grimes,
Danny Colton, Kevin Taggart and Wesley Campbell to name a few.
Female referees are require with the development
of women's football and we have Clare Noble and Valerie McManus who currently have refereed three Irish Cup finals between
them, so ladies register your name NOW!
Young referees really have a furture in the game with likes of Stewart
Blair, Tim Marshall, David Anderson, Luke Ormsby, Joshua Porter, John Graham, Damien Maguire and Andy Stevenson only
some of those doing well.
So REGISTER your NAME by sending email to Tim at fwrefs@hotmail.com don't wait do it NOW! we will forward you details of next course coming soon
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