Like so many of their west Cavan neighbours lately, the Shannon Gaels club's home facilities have underwent major development recently and were unveiled to the public in late April, receiving rave reviews. Now, many around Blacklion believe the time has come for the club to prosper. In times of economical downturn a small club like Shannon Gaels could be forgiven if they were to rest on their laurels and do nothing, but this is not the case for the hard working committee of the Blacklion based club, whom this year completed the first phase of a three phase programme of works at Pairc Ghaeil Na Shionainne. This culminated in the opening of the magnificent new playing and training facilities in Blacklion at a cost of 250,000. The new facilities can be boasted as one of the best in the province, and one would have to travel a long way to get better. The development of the new Prunty playing field together with a juvenile field, which is completely flood lit, has given the youth of the area the best possible facilities to enjoy for many a year. The club are currently fundraising through a number of different ventures to pay for the remaining cost of the field together with other projects that they have planned. As stated by club chairman Tom Reilly at the official opening of the new facilities "the club is coming into a new era". This is certainly true. With the influx of young families into the area, the provision of top class playing facilities was a must and with the help of government funding together with the generosity of the local community, Pairc Ghaeil Na Shionainne is there to be enjoyed by everyone, whether playing Gaelic games or simply for a walk along the scenic sights of Lough Mac Nean. The redevelopment of Pairc Ghaiel Na Sionainne forms part of a three phase programme of works that Shannon Gaels have planned. Phase Two being the redevelopment of the playing field in Glangelvin, and 'Phase Three' is the construction of new club meeting rooms with the provision of indoor training facilities. As with all plans, financial support is needed and the committee of Shannon Gaels GFC are hoping that government grants and continued support from the community, together with the support that they have enjoyed from successful business people with roots in the area will continue, and that they implement all phases as planned. Having been defeated in the county junior final in 2007, hopes were high that the men from Blacklion could finally reach the milestone and capture the junior championship in 2008. Under the watchful eye of their devoted manager, and club chairman, Tom Reilly together with his selectors of Anthony Murray and Ciaran Fitzpatrick, the management team entered into what was going to be its fifth term in charge. Initially, things did not go to plan with a two-point defeat away to Corlough in the opening game of the league. With so many players living outside the area, be it for work or college commitments, Shannon Gaels fielded a under strength team and this was to be the case for the opening rounds of the league, with the Gaels dropping some vital points in the promotion race early on. In the seconded round of the league, the Gaels welcomed Kildallan to Pairc Ghaeil Na Shionainne, where the First Ulsters escaped with a one-point victory over the home side, which saw Tom Reilly's side in bad need of points in their next outing if they were to avoid being drawn into the relegation zone so early on in the season. A draw away to Swanlinbar and comfortable victories against Arva and Maghera saw Shannon Gaels emerge from the foot of the table and into May, where they took on Brendan Farrelly's Butlersbridge at home, who were genuine contenders for promotion at the time. If the hosts could get past the 'Bridge, it meant that safety in the division for another year would all but be secured. In a nip and tuck affair in Blacklion, Eamon O'Reilly and Enda McHugh starred for the Gaels as they triumphed to a 0-8 to 0-5 victory. June and July proved to be not such profitable months for the Gaels though as consecutive defeats to Templeport, Mountnugent, Cornafean and eventual champions Kill meant that they would lie at the wrong end of the table once the junior football championship commenced on July 24. However, with the season now firmly in full swing, the young guns got more experience under their belts and the team began to concentrate on the Championship, and there meeting with Maghera MacFinns in the opening round of the JFC. Played in Drumlane's superb facilities of O'Connell Park, the game was very one-sided with Tom Reilly's men dominating in all sectors of the pitch to book their place in the last eight convincingly, with a 2-14 to 0-6 victory over the east Cavan outfit. The Gaels were forced to wait over a month for their quarter-final meeting with Mountnugent, who had emerged from the backdoor, at Breffni Park, where an exciting encounter was played out between the two sides. When the full-time whistle sounded at Cavan's GAA headquarters the scoreboard read 2-11 to 1-10, but in truth Shannon Gaels never got going on that bleak September day. The lack of competitive football was clearly evident in that Mountnugent were far sharper and much more decisive in front of goal, with David Givney the Gaels' chief tormentor as he finished the afternoon with 1-3 to his name. The eventual losers even could have snatched a draw in the closing stages, but it would have been clear injustice as Eamon O'Reilly's superb solo run and blast to the net was all Shannon Gaels could really muster to get close to their opponents three minutes from time, making their exit from the Cavan JFC at the quarter-final stage. Shannon Gaels (JFC v Mountnugent): Padraig McGovern; Kenneth McEniff, Oliver Nolan, Martin McGovern; Enda McCaffrey, Daniel O'Hara (0-2), Michael Griffin; Denis Smith, Peadar Fitzpatrick; Ryan Nolan, Cian McGovern (0-1, 1f), Eamon O'Reilly (1-1); Johnny Corrigan (0-1), Enda McHugh (0-3), Gerry McGovern (0-2). With that, the Gaels season was over and there was paramount disappointment as the dream of getting back to another final perished in early September. Two weeks later Mountnugent laid an onslaught on Templeport to reach the competition's decider, where they themselves fell heavy victims to favourites Drung. Many suggested that the final result of the Cavan JFC put things firmly in perspective for many of the county's junior clubs, but there can be no argument that a good young team is coming through at Shannon Gaels, with superb facilities to back them up, and with the new senior team management of Eugene Walsh, John Cassidy and Hugh McCormack appointed for the new season, the club should be on course to achieve their goal of the county junior championship title in the very near future. Minors capture Division Two title Along with the opening of Paric Ghaiel Na Sionainne, the main highlight of the year for Shannon Gaels was the club's minor team landing the Division Two league title back in August. In what was a remarkable achievement for the club, the Gaels defeated the mighty Mullahoran Dreadnoughts at First Ulsters Park, Ballyconnell, to collect the club's first Minor league title in Division Two in its history. Led by the devoted management team of Eugene Walsh (manager) and Ben and John Cassidy (selectors), Shannon Gaels edged out the Dreadnoughts on a score-line of 1-15 to 0-14 in an epic battle to collect the coveted minor crown. It was the Gaels that got themselves off to a perfect start in the match when centre-forward Johnny Corrigan lifted the Shannon Gaels faithful out of their seats with a fantastic goal inside the opening minute. Full-forward PP O'Hara added a point moments later, but from there Mullahoran began to edge things to take in a slender lead of 0-9 to 1-5 at the break. At half-time, Walsh and his backroom gave their players a team talk that would go on to work absolute wonders, as Corrigan hit three quick points at the restart to establish a two-point lead for the Gaels. Mullahoran hit back, but white flags from Corrigan, Ronan McCaffrey and Cian McGovern edged Shannon Gaels closer to the title. Enda O'Reilly and Raymond Lynch continued to carry the threat for the Dreadnoughts, but the would-be winners' defence held solid, with Jason McLoughlin, Stephen McGrath and Emmet Dolan putting in tigerish displays at the back. Michael Brady would piece the Gaels' rearguard one last time, before Cian McGovern and Corrigan struck over the final points that led Walsh's side to the title, which sparked wild celebrations from the Gaels' support upon Patrcik Brady's full-time whistle in Ballyconnell. Shannon Gaels (MFL Div 2 final v Mullahoran): Padraig McGovern; Gary Gallagher, Jason McLoughlin, Emmet Dolan; Daniel McCann, Stephen McGrath, Shane Dolan; Cian McGovern (0-4), Raymond McCann; Nevin O'Donnell, Johnny Corrigan (1-7), Kevin McGovern; Ronan McCaffrey (0-2), PP O'Hara (0-2), Conor McCaffrey. Subs: Aaron O'Hara, Daniel Fitzpatrick. Division Six and Junior D Championship Shannon Gaels completed in the Division Six league and in the Junior D championship during the 2008 season. This provided a great platform for the players whom are over age for Under 21 to play and it offers the essential support needed to build a healthy senior panel. In Division Six, the Gaels finished fifth in the league table just five points off the top, after winning eight games, losing four and drawing one. While in the Junior D Championship, the Gaels made the tough trip to Killygarry where they showed well but were eventually defeated by the hosts in a closely fought game played out in Crubany, which finished 2-8 to 1-9. Under 21s Shannon Gaels' Under 21 side found themselves unlucky to make an early exit from the Division Two championship back in June. The Gaels met Shercock in the first round at Blacklion and played out a fascinating draw with the east Cavan side. In extra-time it looked as though neither team could be separated again, but Shercock popped up with a late scored in the added on minutes, which sent the hosts tumbling out of the championship. Under 16s reach final The club's Under 16's reached the Division Three league final this past July, when they took on Lacken in Belturbet. After an intriguing encounter of football at Rory O'Moore Park, it was Lacken that took the honours with a well-earned victory. In the championship, Shannon Gaels took on Cuchullains in the quarter-finals back in mid-August and were victorious on a scoreline of 2-10 to 1-4. Into the last four and the Gaels faced-off against Denn at Annalee Park, Ballyhaise, a month on, where they finished second best to the Crosskey's outfit. Under 14s take Roinn D Shield After a disappointing start to the season, Shannon Gaels' Under 14 side started last summer on a high note by defeating Munterconnaught in Michael Cully Memorial Park, Arva to capture the Roinn D Shield. In a one-sided affair, the Gaels stormed into an early lead through Niall McGrath's superb goal, which was backed up by two majors from team captain Niall Walsh to forge a comfortable lead at half-time for the west Cavan side. The second-half saw Munterconnaught threaten their opponents that bit more, but the Gaels defence was not going to give anything away cheap on this occasion, with the two Corrigan brothers, Stephen and Niall, particularly outstanding at the back for the would be winners. The young men from Blacklion continued to pick off the scores, with the likes of Emmet Woods, Caolan Maguire and David McPartland causing the Munchies' defence all sorts of problems, which inevitably led the Gaels to the Shield. Ladies football On the Ladies football front in the club, Shannon Gaels had their best win of the year over Mountnugent in Blacklion in late August, but were unfortunate to exit the championship in the next round. The girls Under 14 team had a comprehensive win in the Championship against Drumlane earlier in the month, however they lost out in their next game against a strong Templeport side. Also, over the course of the season, the Shannon Gaels ladies team entered into the Adult 9-a-side championship and lost out, narrowly, to Swanlinbar in the Division 4 final in Corlough. Tweet

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