The last edition of the Shannon Gaels Newsletter:
Week ending 9th December 2007
‘Supporting underage sport throughout the club’
WELCOME… all new electives to our Minor Board and to those returning for another year. Our AGM was recently held and a few new faces have joined our committee. Firstly, the chairperson this year will be Paticica Beirne, who takes over from Aidan Filan. This undoubtedly is a perfect position for this marvellously charismatic lady and is a delightful choice of leadership. The treasurer, Brendan Morris will be using his calculator for another year and Chris O’ Dowd will still have the wonderful task of confronting a certain Mr. Kelly about match fixtures!!! A couple of editions back, those avid readers of this newsletter will be reminded of a particular piece highlighting the growing domination from the female force within the club. Yes, it stressed how the guys can no longer snigger and guffaw when they hear about ladies playing football… this of course was brought about by our girls reaching the county final in their first year together. Oh how the senior men’s team quaked in their boots. Well, low and behold, the situation has deteriorated since. Not only are the females beating them on the pitch but the new chairperson is… a woman?!!!!! The Spice Girls reunion must have reignited feelings of Girl Power because in the short space of time since our 2006 AGM, the club has been transformed. And certainly not for worse as the ladies involvement brings a well needed sense of entertainment and craic!!!! Patricia Noone’s name definitely springs to mind as a person full of amusement and a great personality. We have no doubt about your ability to lead the club forward over the coming years. Your father, the late Tommy Noone, from Croghan village was always a staunch supporter and member of the club. Paddy Mulvey recently reflected on his dependability in particular when everyone else might let the side down. Yes, your pedigree is proven so now let the craic commece!!!!
We sincerely thank Aidan Filan for his dedicated services over the years. Under his guidance the club flourished and expanded. He was always enthusiastic in taking on new ideas and ventures.
We will miss him a lot over the next weeks, but thankfully he is not lost to the club – just away on license for a short break…

PRESENTATION NIGHT
Last Friday evening the Bush Hotel was the venue for the Ladies Presentation night. It was a superb formal event with speeches and everything. The captain of the Leitrim Ladies team was on hand to present runner up medals to the ladies. A commendable part to note was the ladies’ inclusion of both U16 and U12 girls teams in the presentation. This was very kind on their part and proves their commitment to supporting underage football. Another element on the night was the launch of the Shannon Gaels Ladies Calendar which is available throughout the parish. The calendar stands as a testament to the achievements of the ladies over the year. For the small fee of €10, not only will you be supporting the ladies but also looking at them on your wall for 2008!!!
Sinead Brennan, captain of the all-conquering Leitrim Ladies football team attended along with the Quinn Cup which they won as All-Ireland Junior Champions. The Cup is named after a Mary Quinn who hailed from County Leitrim, and is a fitting tribute as Leitrim were the inaugural winners. The U12s also appear in the May section of the calendar along with their coaches Joe Murray and Edel O’ Dowd. These are most certainly the faces of the future – Laura Conlon, Connie Doyle, Blue Sky McGarry, Mairead O’ Dowd, Aine O’ Dowd, Laura Deane, Niamh Murray, Caoimhe O’ Dowd, Eimear Matthews, Tess Murtagh, Aisling Egan, Sarah Surliss, Rachel McDermott, Eimear Cryan, Christina Beirne. (in order as they appear in Calendar)

SPLASH IN THE POND – There is huge interest in this novel idea. Twelve personalities are getting their feet wet along with anyone else who wishes to brave the elements on St. Stephen’s Day. This event is intended to provide part of the funding necessary to run the minor club for the forthcoming year and also supply gear and equipment for approx. 150 children. Your general support for the cause will be greatly appreciated. The 12 personalities are as follows:
Patrick Sharkey, Tracy Duignan, Gerry Mullaney, Oliver Donagher, Wee Jimmy Glancy, Frank O’ Dowd, Julie Marron, Kieran Lynch, Padraig Glancy, Shane Devaney, Johnny McGuire and Pudsey McKeown. In addition, it is intended to nominate TWO CELEBRITY SWIMMERS to the list and this can be done by YOU. The person to raise the appropriate sponsorship will get the chance to push their nominated celebrity into the pond. At the time of going to print, Milo Beirne and Seamus Sweeney are hotly tipped winners, with Fr. Martin a close third losing out by a few quid.

Minor Club Meeting
A meeting of the minor club will be held this Thursday night December 13th in the Patrician hall, Cortober at 8pm. All members are welcome and particularly coaches are asked to attend.
Congrats to…our four minor players namely Niall Lynch, Mathew Molloy, James Deane and Cathal O’ Dowd who took part in trials for the County Minors last Saturday in Elphin. Best of luck lads!!!
COACHING COACHING COACHING
We have commenced coaching boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 11 years of age. It takes place in the Sports Complex, Carrick on Shannon each Thursday evening between 6-7pm.
ALL CHILDREN ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND.
A nominal fee exists and we would especially welcome interest from parents, senior players from both men and ladies clubs in assisting with the coaching of these children. Please contact any member of the minor club in this regard.

Chairperson’s Inaugural Address:
Now that I am the chairperson of Shannon Gaels minor club, I look to 2008 with a great sense of pride and anticipation. The coming year of football is bound to be as exciting as the last. We, as a club are very committed to our underage players and I believe that each individual brings with them a unique characteristic. It is vital to encourage them from a very young age and this is one of our defining elements as a club. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank my predecessor, Aidan Filan, for doing a splendid job and I will aspire to do the same. He brought great enthusiasm and dedication to his role over the past three years. I wish him well for the future. I look forward to the coming year as we improve, inspire and involve all of Shannon Gael’s young members in the delightful game that is Gaelic football.

Yours in sport,

Patricia Beirne.