Matches, Marvels and Memories!

YESTERDAY EVENING, Thursday August 27th, saw the end of our U14 team’s campaign for 2009.

I had the privilege of attending all of their matches throughout the year and most of their training sessions and I would like to take this opportunity to say how proud I am of having been associated with them.

Back at the beginning of 2009 I was beginning to think that it was going to be difficult, firstly to get the group of lads that should be playing U14 out to training and secondly, that it would be impossible to get a coach or manager for them.

How wrong could I have been.

Up steps the emotional, impassioned and skillful -James (Deano) Dean & the cool, practical and rock steady expert in coaching - Mr Cathal Sweeney.

These two young men took the U14 team under their wings in March of this year and patiently and vigourously brought them to two county finals and the semi final of the Garda Cup. Winning the County League Final in what was – to say the least – a very exciting and heartstopping match.

The Garda Cup semi-final was the last match this team played officially for this year and they went into it as major underdogs against a strong Division 2 team - the Frenchpark boys of Western Gaels.

The lads once again proved to anyone left with any doubts that they could play among the best.

From the first kick of the ball they fought hard and won some fabulous scores. Unfortunately there had to be a loser and the Shannon Gaels U14s bowed gracefully out of this competition.

Much credit is due to the young players, themselves for their dedication to the game and the club and the pride they brought to the parish.

I cried tears of heartache and disappointment with them when they lost the county championship final by a mere three points and I cried tears of joy, delight and pride when they won the county league final against the same team by a single point.

My heart swelled when I saw them recently organizing themselves for a warm-up before a game under the leadership of captain Daniel Marron. It showed just how much this team has grown, not only in stature but in maturity of mind and respect for their mentors and the beautiful game of football.

They have certainly brought their supporters on a roller coaster ride of emotions and they will not be forgotten for a long time.

From big Jimmy Burke in the goals to little Shane McDonnell on the full forward line I wish each and every one of them good luck as they go back to school and every success in their future footballing careers.

I also wish to express my sincere gratitude to Cathal and James for their dedication and hard work with this team and look forward to working with you both in the future.

I firmly believe the future of Shannon Gaels football is in safe hands.


The team players are Jimmy Burke, Drew Bell, Jonathan Beirne, Evan Beirne, Keelan O’Dowd, David McDonnell, Gavin Dolan, Conor O’Dowd, Daniel Marron (C), Mattie Mulvey, Michael Murtagh, Mathew McDermott, Cian Harmon, Shane McDonnell, Niall Morahan, Morgan Conway, Michael Jordan.



It’s been a pleasure boys.


Yours in Sport,

Patricia Beirne.