Rathnew Feature Piece

 

Rathnew’s Golden Year: A Season of Grit, Growth and Glory for U13 A & D, U15 A and Féile Heroes

In a season that will live long in the memory in Rathnew, the club’s underage ranks delivered one of the most remarkable collective campaigns seen in Wicklow in years. Between the U13 A and D sides and the U15 A and Féile squads, four titles returned to the village—each one earned through graft, resilience, and a coaching team determined to build something lasting.

At the centre of it all was the management duo of Barry Mernagh and “Rooster”—a partnership forged five or six years ago with one clear ambition: to one day win a minor championship. Everything achieved along the way, Barry insists, was meant to be “a bonus.”

But the “bonus” turned into an avalanche of silverware in 2024.

U13 A & D: Talent, Togetherness and a Double Lift

The U13 A team entered the year with expectations—and delivered. Their talent has been well known around the county, losing only a handful of games since their U7 days. Even so, nothing came easy. Blessington pushed them to the edge in a gripping final, but Rathnew’s composure and belief saw them over the line again.

If the A team met expectations, the U13 D side shattered them. Made up largely of U12s, this group grew stronger with every game, culminating in a brilliant D Championship victory. “It was brilliant for them,” Barry reflected. “Most of them were a year young, but the effort they put in all season showed what they were capable of.”

With two titles at U13 level—and even space for a couple of U11s to step up—the pathway in Rathnew continues to strengthen year after year.

13D

Player of year Callum Armstrong 

Most improved  Oisin Franey

13A 

Player of the year Max Kennedy  

Most improved Harry Mernagh

U13 A Squad 

Jonathan Howes (Coach), Seán Byrne, Frankie Mernagh, Aaron Kelly, Rian Cahillane, Scott

Howes, Barry Mernagh (Coach), Zac Gough, Luke O’Neill, Harry Mernagh, Luke Gill, Max Kennedy,Callum Armstrong, Robert Merrigan (Coach), Tommy Gill (Coach),Killian McCaul, Paddy Merrigan, Daniel Leonard, Shane Lynch, Ronan Merrigan (JC), Niall Dignam, Max Kiernan, Aidan McCaul Eoghan Coffey, Fionn Fitzgerald

U13 D Squad 

Jonathan Howes (Coach), Noah Glynn Daniel Leonard, Rian Judge,Charlie O’Reilly, Eoin Mac Manus , Tommy Butler, Blake Keogh, Ollie Dickenson, Oisín Franey, Seán Byrne, Arlo de Hóra 

Robert Merrigan (Manager), Jayden Hubbard, Seán Roche, Dara Colohan (C), Oisín Dunne, Harry Murphy, Barry Mernagh (Manager)

The U15 Journey: From Setbacks to Champions

No storyline captured the heart and grit of Rathnew more than the U15 A team. Two years ago, many of these same players didn’t even finish their U11 season, conceding four walkovers. Last season, they lost the U13 A Shield final by a point. And all year, chatter  was around the county centred on a “super Blesso team.”

But when challenge after challenge was thrown in front of them, Rathnew rose—every single time.

They beat Blessington three out of the four times they met this season. They worked harder than any team in the county, training on Brittas Bay on cold Sunday mornings alongside senior teams. “I don’t think anyone in Wicklow deserved a championship more,” Barry said. “These lads stood tall, kept their heads down and worked unbelievably hard.”

Their championship run capped off a season defined by growth, maturity, and unity.

Player of the Year David McCormick 

Most improved Feilim Drew Redmond 

Under 15 ‘A’ Féile and ‘A’ Championship Winners 2025

Robert Merrigan (Manager), Willie Smullen (Coach), Shane Doyle, Drew Mernagh, Lennon

Baker, Dylan O’Neill, Jake O’Connor, Simon Lynch, Roary Groves, Alex McKenna, Alfie Wallace (VC),

Alex Mernagh (VC), David McCormack, Ryan Dunne, Seán Byrne, John Nolan (Coach)

Barry Mernagh (Manager), Rian Ward, Jake Duffy, Jude Lawlor, Natan Sapilewski, Jayden

McGovern, Failim Drew Redmond, Ollie Quinn (C), Freddie Kavanagh, Ryan Armstrong, Robbie Doyle,Harry Kavanagh, Tiernan Nolan, Harry Messitt, Ed McGovern (Coach)

A Féile Adventure to Remember

If the championship was the crowning glory, the Féile was the spark that lit the fire.

The group’s trip to Derry created memories to last a lifetime—on and off the pitch. Players bonded, learned how to live like a team, and embraced the pressure of representing their club outside the county. They reached the national final, pushed every step of the way by Blessington and others.

And no reflection on the Féile would be complete without mentioning young Seán  Byrne , the team’s heartbeat off the field. “Every team needs a character,” Barry said. "Seán was just brilliant up in Derry.”

The journey north, the bus home, the shared experience—it galvanised the group. Barry is adamant: “If we hadn’t won the Féile, we wouldn’t have won the championship.”

Balancing 60 Players, Multiple Sports, and Endless Training

With around 60 players across age groups, balancing commitments was a full-time job. Some lads play rugby, others soccer, and many both. Barry and Rooster were on the pitch “seven nights a week,” running separate nights for different sports clashes and bringing everyone together on Sunday evenings.

But despite the chaos, something extraordinary happened: Rathnew won three championships without relying on cross-age players. Every team stood on its own feet—rare in modern underage football.

What Comes Next

Looking ahead, Rathnew’s underage future is bright. The U13s moving up are “a class little team,” capable of anchoring the club for years. The current U15s will transition to minor under a familiar management team, easing the jump to older football.

Barry’s long-term aim hasn’t changed: developing players who will one day stand on the banks of Aughrim as senior footballers. “That’s what it’s all about,” he says. “Seeing the lads you coached playing senior football—that’s the dream.”

If this season is anything to go by, Rathnew are well on their way.