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.

Roscommon U16s Fr. Manning Cup Winners

Congrats to the Roscommon U16 panel who won the Fr. Manning Cup last Thursday evening against Westmeath.
Shannon Gaels had four players on the team - David O' Dowd, Luke O' Dowd, Liam Murtagh and Fintan Sweeney.

Roscommon to play in Fr. Manning Cup Final

Congratulations to the Roscommon U16 team for reaching the final of the Fr. Manning Cup which is to be played Thursday at 7pm in Michael Fay Park (Longford Slashers' ground).

The team overcame Leitrim and Longford last Wednesday to reach tonight's final against Westmeath.

We wish Fintan, Luke, David and Liam all the best in the blue and amber jersey.

When the fat lady sings...

Last Saturday, August 15th, the Division 3 League Final saw Shannon Gaels take on championship winners St. Faithleachs at 6pm in Kilmore. The match - like their championship encounter - was a very tight affair with the second half in particular nail-bittingly close.

From the throw-in, St. Faithleachs were determined to set a fast pace - with their dominance through players like half back John Mulligan causing serious problems for the Gaels lads.

Shannon Gaels were trailing at one stage by four points but through good scores by Daniel Marron and a splendid goal by Matthew McDermott, at the half time whistle a single point separated both sides.

Gaels emerged the stronger at the start of the second half and took a four point advantage thanks to terrific goals by Niall Morohan and Matthew McDermott who were working effectively up front.

Shannon Gaels were much more impressive in this half with players such as Shane McDonnell, Daniel Marron, Matthew Mulvey and Conor O' Dowd breaking down Faithleach's attack. Great kick-outs by Jimmy Burke in goals meant the ball was being fed into the half forward line.

Young David McDonnell was working tirelessly in defence but Diarmuid Murtagh - St. Faithleach's elusive corner forward - was using his strength advantage and always looked a threat on goal.

St. Faithleachs eventually capitalised on some shaky defending, blasting in a goal followed by a point in the space of a minute. Shannon Gaels answered with a super score by Michael Murtagh to reduce Faithleach's lead to one.

The Referee Ciaran Candon awarded a free to St. Faithleachs with five minutes to go, which Murtagh - their player of the match - converted to stretch their lead to two once again.

A free down the other end was sent wide by Shannon Gaels who at this stage were looking for another goal. A St. Faithleachs player was penalised for overcarrying and Matthew Mulvey set up Matthew McDermott for a killer goal. The umpires hesitated but once the green flag was raised the Gaels contigent went wild. The lead was again theirs by one precious point.

The joy was short lived though as St. Faithleach's John Mulligan powered forward through the midfield area after a poor pass by a Gaels player. Jimmy Burke was left with no option other than to break down the oncoming player - whereby the referee immediately pointed to the spot.

Diarmuid Murtagh calmly placed the ball down and with silence filling the park he sprang forward and smashed the ball into the net. St. Faithleachs were ahead by two with thirty seconds remaining.

Jimmy Burke walloped the ball up the field finding Daniel Marron - player of the match - who made a final attack on Faithleachs defence, slamming the ball past Jonathan Garvey who had no chance of saving it.

Joy for the Gaels, heartbreak for the Lanesboro lads and mini-heartattacks for the spectators!!!!


Final Score:

Shannon Gaels 5-5

St. Faithleachs 2-13


Well done lads and coaches. Good luck in Garda Cup this Thursday against Elphin.

U14 LEAGUE WINNERS 15-08-2009

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We meet again...

The U14s are once again up against St. Faithleachs in this weekend's Supervalu Division 3 League County Final. Kilmore is the venue this Saturday for what is expected to be a close encounter.

The Gaels were unlucky in the Championship Final - putting up a great fight - but ultimately losing by a mere three points.

Kick off is six pm with the club urging all of you to don the green and gold and go support the lads!!!

U14 Panel 2009 with coaches (and Patricia Beirne!!!)

U14 Final Training Session

The lads final practice session before the big game!

U14s Fight for County Crown

The Shannon Gaels U14 team take on the might of St. Faithleachs this Sunday in the Division 3 Final.

The team has progressed significantly throughout the year - and we salute both players and their coaches. The coaching duo of James Deane and Cathal Sweeney have admirably contributed much of their time into training sessions over the last few months, eager to make the team the best it can be.

We wish the team the best and ask you all to turn up in Kilmore at 12.30pm to CHEER THEM ON TO VICTORY!!!!!

Good luck from all at Shannon Gaels.

Shane Leydon in Minor Connacht Final!!

Best wishes to Shane Leyden - Shannon Gaels star - who plays in the minor Connacht Final this Sunday against Mayo.

Good luck to another Shannon Gaels' man - Jimmy Deane - selector coach with the team.

The Final takes place this Sunday at 1.45 in Salthill.


BEST OF LUCK LADS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mulkerrin Brothers make a return to the Four Provinces!

The Mulkerrin Brothers are making a splendid return visit to The Four Provinces next Sunday July 12th.
This time children of any age can attend and we hope all the young people will turn out to watch the great Craic & Ceoil on show from the famous musical trio!

The show runs from 4-7pm.
Cost of tickets:
Child €6
Adult €12

U12 Girls Championship - The Final Awaits!

Championship Semi Final

On a gloriously sun-drenched evening in Croghan stadium, Shannon Gaels defeated Four Roads in an entertaining semi-final of the U12 girls' championship.


The team played some fabulous football, moving Christina Beirne to the back line replacing the injured Aisling Egan who is out with a broken elbow sustained in the replay against Oran.


Gold medallist Christina was inspirational all through the game, continuously driving her team forward on numerous occasions. Aisling Cryan came in to fill the 13th position on the field. Early on in the game the girls didn't have much luck sending a few shots wide but Tess Murtagh got the opening score with a fabulous point.

The next point came from Katie Daly who played a spectacular game in midfield. Four Roads fought back getting two points to equalise. Shannon Gaels went in level at half time thanks to the excellent goal keeping of Sarah Surlis.

In the second half Aine O' Dowd got three lovely points - one set up by Eimear Cryan, the other two from fees. Four Roads came back and scored a point having earlier hit the crossbar but Emma O' Beirne having been put through by Rachel McDermott scored an outstanding goal putting the Gaels five points ahead.

Four Roads scored another point from a free but Aine O' Dowd wasn't finished yet, she scored a goal to put the Gaels seven points ahead with Laura Gannon unlucky with a shot on goal shortly after. Four Roads piled on the pressure and scored a goal with five minutes left.

Shannon Gaels' defence held out in the closing stages where Caoimhe O' Dowd, Connie Doyle, Laura Deane and Elaine McDermott were rock solid.

When the referee blew the final whistle, the atmosphere was unreal. There was a great turn out - great to see the community came out to support the girls.

The final score was 2-5 to 1-4. The girls couldn't have done it without their trainer Luke O' Dowd and their managers Sandra Surlis and Geraldine Cryan.

The girls will be eagerly awaiting the final showdown against Kilglass on Monday, 15th June.

BEST OF LUCK!!!!!