Friday 29 May 2009

Shannon Gaels U14 -v- Kilmore

Shannon Gaels U-14


Shannon Gaels 4-16

Kilmore U-14 1-05


Shannon Gaels U-14 had another convincing win in the Super Valu U-14 Division 3 league with a 20 point victory over old rivals Kilmore. There was much confusion prior the game with Kilmore locked out of the away dressing room, however, the thoughts of the Gaels having to get their team talk in the referee room and the architectural initiative of Chris O Dowd, Kilmore got togged out. The Gaels knew that victory would guarantee them at least third position in the league, so with them thoughts in mind they entered the hairy Croghan Stadium pitch in determined mood. One minute in and Niall Morohan had burst the goals at the Mullaney shop end. Matthew Mc Dermott’s attempted shot for a point hit the post and fell to Niall who made no mistake.

The Gaels tagged on another couple points before a delightful ball from Mick Murtagh found Mc Dermott who fisted the ball of the post and into the net. Again another three points were tagged on before Mickey Murtagh scored a goal worthy of the Champions League final the night before. The Gaels left the field 3-08 to 0-00 at half time. In the second half a few lapses of concentration from the Gaels allowed Kilmore get scores on the board. The Gaels fourth goal came from an impressive passage of play, seen Mc Dermott score his second goal. The passing and support play prior to the goal was the best seen in the Croghan stadium for a long time.

With Jimmy Burke commanding between the post, Drew Bell and Johnny Beirne were in control in the full back line. Indeed Johnny got sea sick at one stage when he reached the Kilmore full back line but unfortunately came back without a score. Conor and Keelan O Dowd have impressed in the half back line with Keelan impressing more and more in each game while Conor has talent waiting to be shown!!! Mickey Murtagh and Daniel Marron did trojan work in the middle of the field. The lads first touch on the ball and kick passing a joy. The half forward line of Cian Harmon and Morgan Conway worked hard. Cian contributed at least 4 points and won an impressive amount of possession. For a U-12 Morgan has showed he has a big future with the Gaels. At the end of the game our full forward line contributed 3 goals, Niall Morohan with one and Matthew Mc Dermott with two.

The subs bench was used again by managers James Deane and Cathal Sweeney. The Mc Donnell brothers Shane and David were introduced 5 minutes into the second half. Shane has become a super sub for the boys and he contributed 2 points and won every ball that came his way. It was great to see David back on the football field and he took over from where Drew left off. 10 minutes from the end Dara O Dowd and a (sunkissed) Evan Beirne entered the fray and put in credible performances.
The Gaels final league game is against St. Faithleachs next Thursday evening the 4th June in Ballyleague at 7pm. The team would like to wish Matty Mulvey get well soon after he picked up a serious finger injury a few weeks ago.

Monday 25 May 2009

G.A.A. 125th year commemoration

125th G.A.A. Anniversary – Clubs’ Contributions

As 2009 is the 125th year since the formation of the G.A.A., the Roscommon Champion decided to commemorate this special milestone by getting all the clubs in Roscommon to give a brief history of their own development. Here is Shannon Gaels’ one as written by Thomas Mullaney…

In 1858 the new railway line arrived in a very divided district that would later become the parish of Croghan. The howls of hunger from Carrick workhouse were still fresh in the memories of the people of the area, and this new mode of transport would shortly expedite the flight from misery. By the end of that year Tumna South, Killukin, Killumod and eastern halves of Kilcola and Eastersnow were amalgamated to form the present parish of Croghan. Thirty years later on 2nd March 1889 another unifying force would arrive in the parish with the founding of G.A.A. club Croghan John Mitchels to be followed late in the Spring with Drumlion Henry Grattens, a force that we are glad to say is alive and well 120 years on, starting as an arm in the fight of the Land War and playing an important role in many that have followed. The parish was then still divided between the Landlords Lloyds and St. George under the unions of Boyle and Carrick.

Mitchels and Grattens made their mark from the start on the playing fields and under the banner of Croghan reached the Co. Senior finals of 1903 and 1908 and again having a powerful team in the period 1916 – 20 when players such as John Kenny and ODey Travers would carry the fight. During the 1920s, Drumlion/Cootehall represented the area under the name St. Eidin of Tuamna. Again in the 1930s a great Croghan team would emerge and eventually in 1939 under the leadership of Jim Creighton win the County Junior Final. The unity of purpose that brought Croghan and Drumlion together for the ’39 title would reemerge again in 1949 with the founding of SHANNON GAELS.

A great minor team in 1951 winning North Title and the Junior Team winning the Northern League in 1953 would see the decade end with a second Co. Junior title in 1960. This Junior Team was further boosted by the minors of ’60 and ’61 who were Co. Fnalists and this combination produced in 1964 our great achievement, a County Senior Title.
The 1970s, despite this high point, made their own history with the winning of our first U16.

The frustration of defeat in the last hurdle in the Junior Championship in 79, 80 and 82 was put behind us with our third Co. Junior title in 1986. The foundation for a second equally successful centenary was well and truly laid with the magnificent Co. Title win of the U16s in 1987. Following the wins of 86 and87 we ended the decade in 1989 winning our 4th County Junior B Title.

Since going intermediate we had made very strong challenge for honours and after losing CO. Final in 1990 we made breakthrough beating Clann na nGael to win a Co. Title in 1991. Shannon Gaels have held their own at Senior Level since with many sturring battles against the best in the county and in 1999 reached the Quarter final of O’ Rourke Cup. Our Division 4 CO. League win 1991 has been followed by the great performance of our underage as wwe came to the end of the millennium Shannon Gaels have won C o. Titles at U12, 1998; U14 1999; Minor 2000;U21 2003 and Junior B 2007. Our contribution to every Roscommon All-Ireland winning team continued with Ciaran Lynch and Ollie Flanagan All-Ireland Junior in 2000.

Off the field a former Chairman and Treassurer of the club Thomas Mullaney after term as Vice Chairman was elected as Roscommon Co. Secretary in 1994 to 2004.

While football has dominated on the playing fields, in the 1980s our hurlers came into their own winning All-Ireland titles with Leitrim in 83 and 84 adding to the All-Ireland Football medals that have been won in every grade previously by players from the parish.

Besides winning inter-county honours players like Matt Moran in 1906, Jim Creighton in 1929-34, Tom Collins 47, Des Boyd 48, Ji Nerney ’53 and the Newton Bros. John and Des in the 1980s won Railway Cup selection and medals along the way. In Handball Jim Cahill was our greatest, a Senior Ulster title winner in the ’20 and ‘30s. Off the field the outstanding service officials like Tim Tansey (RIP), Ging Duignan, Leitrim Co. Chariman (RIP) and Paddy Mulvey to the G.A.A. in general, not to mention the many who have served the club itself. In the area of our native culture we have a proud record. Our Scor teams on which Seamus Butler and Patsy McNamara have been ever present, have won 50 Co. Titles in every event and preserve the rich inherited tradition.

While in athletics Mick Dowd was national Cross Country Champion in 1936-38.

In 1980s Shannon Gaels fielded a ladies team and players such as Aileen Boyd, McShera sisters,Francis Martin and Mary McGreevey were prominent with their longtime star Aisling Creighton returning Gaels again fielded and their Co. Junior Title win 2008 added another dimension to our role in Association under the direction of Alo O’ Dowd, Kieran Lynch and Gerard Butler.

Club Crest;
Five crosses representing amalgamated parishes Killukin, Killumod, Tumna, Eastersnow and Kilcola

Bridge – Shannon Gaels Crossing
Bull – Croghan Short Horn
Lia Fada – Stone Idol of Boher

Teams Fielded – every grade in football U11 to Intermediate

Ladies – U14, U16, Minor & Junior.

Playing Fields – Croghan – all weather pitch and dressing rooms opened by President Mary McAleese in 2003 in her father’s parish.

All weather training pitch at Showgrounds in Cortober.

Thursday 21 May 2009

Minor Update...

The Minor Team has reached that time in the year when all football is suspended due to exams. The year has gone quite well so far, on a playing front we have played six games and won six. We have the usual problems that all minor teams have to cope with, mainly lads away in school or college and exams.

What has been a major encouragement to us, has been the display of the non county lads. Players such as Andy Dolan, Pierce Beirne and James Filan have developed their game and are now playing as well as their county buddies.

Other lads such as Rory O Donnell and Mark O Dowd have now got a much more physical and determined aspect to their game and this has added so much to their all round ability. We are very fortunate to have a very solid goalkeeper in Chris Jordan and we were also delighted to uncover a new talent recently when Chris was not available and Adam Fennell took over in goal. In the forwards we have Daniel Morris who has the ability to score some spectacular goals. At the moment we are only scratching the surface with what Daniel has to offer and I hope that one day we will really see Daniels true potential.

Damien Mc Keon is another young lad who is a key part of our panel this year and his renewed enthuasiasm is great to see. Shane O Dowd, Dara O Carroll and Kealan Loftus are also showing great determination and a willingness to get involved and be a part of this minor team. We also have two players, Fergal Harmon and Ryan Dempsey, who were unavailable in the early part of the year and will make a major impact when they return. Daniel Marron although too young for this years panel, is learning what it takes to be involved and is as committed to training as any of the minor panel.

As a club we are very fortunate to have five young lads involved with Roscommon County under age teams. Shane Leydon with the minors and Liam Murtagh, Luke O Dowd, David O Dowd and Fintan Sweeney with the under 16s. These lads give a huge commitment both to their club and county and with regard to our own minor team are instrumental along with the rest of the panel in having us top of the league at the moment.


(Shane Loftus)

Friday 15 May 2009

U14 Progress

The Gaels U-14 team are up and running this year in the Division 3 County U-14 League. The team have got off to an encouraging start with victories against Elphin by (3-10 to 3-5) and St. Michaels (6-17 to 0-4). They also had a narrow one point defeat to Kilbride when a draw would have been the better result (4-14 to 3-16).

There is one complaint about this league - managers James Deane and Cathal Sweeney have had tough decisions to make as the three teams they have played can/will only play 11-a-side. It means that the managers had to drop two players after analysing their 13 a-side game plan five minutes previously. Compliants a-side, this is a well balanced team. Their effort cannot be questioned and when the players click they can be devastatingly good.

Jimmy Burke is a rock in the goals. Drew Bell and Jonathan Beirne always have the situation in control in the full-back line.

David Mc Donnell, Matty Mulvey and Keelan O'Dowd control the half-back line and can turn defence into attack instantly.

The work rate of Daniel Marron and Conor O'Dowd is encouraging with Daniel a very able captain of the team.

The half-forward line players of Matthew Mc Dermott, Mickey Murtagh and Cian Harmon fight for every ball and can hit some pinpoint accurate scores. The full-forward players of Niall Morohan and Morgan Conway have become more than capable of chipping in some crucial scores.

In the recent St.Michaels game the management decided to use their bench and none could have predicted what damage these boys did.

Shane Mc Donnell, Morgan Quinn, Dara O Dowd and Matthew Burke were introduced to the field and their work rate and effort was outstanding. They fought for every ball and the fact that the four boys each got a score shows their true effort.

One of the most heart warming plays during the game was near the end when Dara O'Dowd had a chance to kick his own score from a free but seen Shane Mc Donnell free. A simple pass by Dara ensured Shane got his name on the scoresheet.

Credit must be given to the older players for giving the boys these chances. What this means now is the bench has options and Gay Dowd will have some tough choices where to play these four lads at u-12 level.

The team have three remaining games in the league:
V Kilglass(A) 21st May
V Kilmore(H) 28th May
V St. Faithleachs (A) 4th June.

(James Deane)

Thursday 14 May 2009

Weekend Brief - The Mulkerrin Brothers PLUS another Newsflash!!!

Traditional Treat

Last Friday night The Mulkerrin Brothers were quite simply - superb. What a crowd and what a fantastic evening!

The guys truly showed why they topped Ireland's Talent Show with their highly entertaining and amusing take on Irish dance and music. To witness such raw talent at that age was mesmerising.

The trio joined forces with an array of local musicians - many of them All-Ireland medal winners - to give the audience an Irish musical feast.

Young and old both attended with the youngest Mulkerrin eager to learn a few steps of the Brush dance!!

Fair play to the lads for coming to the Four P's on the night and thanks to all who attended. Thanks to Brian Mostyn and all the local musicians, to the Bush Hotel for putting up the lads, to Gordon Murray for providing amplification, to all who helped with ticket selling, stage erection and much more. And of course a big thanks to the main organiser, Leo Marron, for making the night a huge success.

We hope you enjoyed the night as much as we did and your support, as always, is greatly appreciated.


Now some music to your ears hopefully! ...


From a club's perspective there are reports that a lot of parents and children wanted to attend last Friday but couldn't due to licensing laws. In that regard it is rumoured that Leo Marron has jumped on the bandwagon again and amazingly has signed up a second prestigious concert with the Brothers.

This concert is rumoured to be taking place in an outdoor arena - in July - where the sun will be shining, the music flowing and the ceili dancing!!


More news on the above to follow!



link to the Mulkerrin's Myspace -
http://www.myspace.com/themulkerrinbrothers

Thursday 7 May 2009

NEWSFLASH ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




FRESH FROM THEIR spectacular win on RTE's "All Ireland Talent Show", The Mulkerrin Brothers are playing in the Four Provinces for a Shannon Gaels' fundraiser this Friday night. Yes, you did read that correctly, the young Aran Island natives will be flying into town for a wonderful night of ceoil agus craic!!

They won the show with their mentor Daithi O'Se who left the audiences impressed with their array of talent in Irish music, dancing and sean-nos.

It is a night not to be missed!!!!!

Get your tickets immediately as they are selling out fast!!!!


Friday night, May 8th - The Four Provinces

U14 and U12 News...

U14s

The Division 3 Championship Quarter Finals are kicking off on the 25th June at 7pm.
Ensure that you are registered as no player can participate otherwise.

Our next League games are as follows:
(all games at 7pm)

Thursday 7th May against Kilbride in Kilbride
Thursday May 14th against St. Michaels in Croghan
Thursday May 21st against Kilglass in Kilglass
Thursday May 28th against Kilmore in Croghan.
Thursday June 4th against St. Faithleachs in Ballyleague.

Keep up to date with your coaches for any changes to the above.


U12s

All games 12.30pm

17th May Sunday St. Michaels in Cootehall
24th May Sunday Kilglass in Croghan
31st May Sunday Elphin in Croghan
June 7th Sunday ichael Glaveys in Croghan
June 14th Sunday St. Faithleachs in Ballyleague
June 21st Sunday Kilbride in Kilbride
June 28th Sunday Kilmore in Kilmore

Please keep updated with your coaches for any changes.
All players must be registered to participate