As clubs go, Shannon Gaels is a relatively newcomer to the Cavan football scene. Formed back in 1978 it is constituted by Blacklion, Dowra and Glangevlin, areas at the most northerly point of the county. While the club was formed in 1978, the area always had a strong tradition of Gaelic games and with the formation of Shannon Gaels the area was projected as a force within the junior ranks of Cavan football. Over the years the club has provided a number of players to county ranks, notably, John Cassidy and Martin McGovern at U-21 level and more recently the talented Eamon Reilly at both U-21 and senior levels. The former Cavan senior football captain and Ulster medal winner Anthony Forde was also a playing member of Shannon Gaels before moving onto to his adopted club, Cavan Gaels. Having to ply their football trade in the most northerly section of the Breffni county, the drive and commitment from the present crop of players and committee was evident this season as the reached the Blue Riband of Junior football when they contested the Cavan JFC final against Redhills. This great feat shows that the game in West Cavan is not dormant. According to the their hard-working PRO, John Paul Feeley: "There are many difficulties facing us a club. Our geographical situation itself puts tremendous pressure on the functioning of the club. A simple task like training juveniles involves a round-trip for some parents of over forty miles. From the far end of Glan to Blacklion is approx. twenty miles so that in itself is an obstacle that has to be overcome. Great work over the years has produced a quality young team against all these odds. Most of the present crops of players in the club are from the locality not like years ago when we depended on the influx of Gardai, Prison Officers etc, all of whom help keep the game alive in the area and greatly contributed to the present situation we now find ourselves in. While our squad is predominantly youthful we have a great mix of players, we can boast of players who have Connacht senior medals, we have two past U-21 Ulster medallists on the panel, a number of players who had great success with St. Clare's Comprehensive in Manorhamilton." "Our run in the junior championship and our strong showing at league level shows the progress that has been made. Indeed, we had two draws in the league which we could have won, and that would have put us in a position to be promoted. The unavailability of one of our star young players, Dan O'Hara who was a member of the county minor panel could possibly have made the difference to helping us in our quest for promoted this season." John Paul explains: "The present crop of players at our disposal are very talented and young. Many of them work and go to school outside the area so training midweek is a major problem. It is testament to their commitment that all of these players made a supreme effort to be part of the present set-up making long journeys home from work and college throughout Ireland and with Eamon O'Reilly making the effort to come home from his studies in Sheffield. If you factor that into a club and get the response we have got all year, then you can see the calibre and commitment of players we have presently at our disposal. The great run in the championship brought out a pride in the locality. It was great to see the enthusiasm from all the locals as they geared up for the junior final, with their flags, bunting and good wishes to the squad." This kind of commitment was backed up by a fully focused backroom team of former Shannon Gaels star, Tom O'Reilly, player, Padraig Dolan and Kieran Fitzpatrick and statistician, Anthony Murray. Anthony's contribution was immense as the club set out on their epic journey in the JFC. His facts and figures on the opposition was widely used by the team management to great effect. The group stages of the JFC championship was the beginning of an almost perfect championship campaign as the West Cavan side accounted for Redhills 1-10 to 3-7, and then went on to overcome neighbours, Kildallan in a very competitive encounter by a single point, 1-11 to 0-15. Riding high on the crest of championship victories, Arva were to provide the next stern test at the quarter-final stage but they too were overcome when the West Cavan side continued their championship quest with a four point victory, 1-9 to 0-8. In the semi-final, many pundits felt that a revamped Munterconnaught side would end the run of the West Cavan side but they too had to succumb to the powerful display of the Gaels as they had a convincing win by five points, 1-13 to 1-8. Indeed this display was to put them into the frame as strong contenders for the title where they were to meet, fellow group members, Redhills. Having already accounted for North Cavan side earlier in the competition, it was expected that this final would produce an open game of good running football, a trademark of both sides. However, tension was to play its part on final day as both teams struggled to get into their normal stride. Conditions were perfect for this final but, the West Cavan side had a setback prior to the final with the experienced Oliver Nolan failing to make the starting line-up through injury. Two early first half-goals was enough to give Redhills the boost they needed to go on and win this final. While it looked like Shannon Gaels may be over-run, the introduction of Oliver Nolan at centre-half back did much to stem the tide and help bring his side back into contention. A super performance from midfielder, Eamon O'Reilly whose goal in the fifty-fifth minute set this game alight as Shannon Gaels' spirited comeback almost earned them victory. Redhills ran out winners in this sporting final on a scoreline of Redhills 2-8 Shannon Gaels 1-10. Immense credit must be attributed to both players and team management, whose Herculean efforts failed at the final hurdle. Shannon Gaels - Ryan Nolan; Peader Fitzpatrick, Paul McCaffrey, Martin McGovern; John Cassidy, Paul McGovern, Michael Keaney; Padraig Dolan, Eamonn O'Reilly (1-6); Daniel O'Hara, James McGovern, Alan Fee (0-3); Enda McCaffrey, Eugene Walsh, Gerry McGovern. Subs. Oliver Nolan for Paul McCaffrey (13m), Michael Griffin for Martin McGovern (16m), Enda McHugh for Eugene Walsh (half-time), Mark Gallagher (0-1) for Ryan Nolan (42m), Declan McCaffrey for Daniel O'Hara (52m). Having commenced the season with low expectations, a committed approach from the club management enthused the players to provide a dedicated response to their challenge. A JFC final place and a strong showing in the league augurs well for the future. The Gaels' league run, saw the team finish in joint third position alongside Munterconnaught with sixteen points just two short of getting into the play-off for promotion. With patience and a bit of luck, they can progress into a formidable force in their respective division. While the senior team were blazing their own trail of honour, the work at underage level by Eugene Walsh, the club secretary, was equally worthy of mention. The U-16 team made to the semi-finals where they lost out to Butlersbridge, while the U-13s reached their respective final against Shercock. At U-14 level Eugene's charges reached the semi-final stages before exiting to a strong Ballyhaise combination. It has been work at underage level over the past number of years that has now put in place what many consider to be a strong club, who should be quite capable of winning a junior football championship in the next couple of seasons. Re-establishment of Ladies team The growth of ladies football has seen the revival of the Shannon Gaels team this season after a number of years in oblivion. The resurfacing of interest in the area for ladies football was taken on board by club treasurer, Cathal Maguire and his sister, Anita. Great work by both players and team management has seen the ladies club go from strength to strength and it is expected that they will be a force in Gaelic football over the coming years. Finance Running a small Club in a sparsely populated area is no easy task. Every outing involves a bus being laid on even for training for the younger teams but the club is lucky to have in Justin Dolan and McGovern Transport two very co-operative bus operators. The club had a number of initiatives this year to boost funding including a highly successful re-run of a toll bridge in July on the bridge between Belcoo and Blacklion. This year an inaugural race night was held in Brady's Rathmines Inn, Dublin. A huge success the massive effort brought in a tidy sum for the club. Other fundraising events include a race night in Blacklion and a number of other events. The 2005 season saw the launch of a new club crest and jersey. A new group of sponsors came on board sponsoring everything from fleeces for the senior team, management and committee members, togs, socks, kitbags and other items. The club is extremely grateful for this generous sponsorship. However the key source of finance is the fortnightly club lotto. Whilst most club members play some role in organising this, the main ticket seller, is local postman Tommy McManus. Tommy who is a dedicated club member for many years, is central to raising funds for the club's existence. His contribution to the club is worthy of mention and it would be remiss not to afford such a valuable club asset the praise that his truly his. New Crest The club earlier this season launched their new club crest. The crest which was designed by Francie McManus captures the mood and spirit of the locality. The club covers the area of Dowra, Glangevlin and Blacklion. The new crest, as well as including the GAA logos, old and new also has an artistic impression of Cuilcagh Mountain, Cavan's highest point representing Glangevlin. Dowra Bridge over the Shannon River, represents the Doobally part of the area and of course the Shannon River from which the club takes its name. Blacklion is represented by the ruins of the 12th century Church at Killinagh on the shores of Lough MacNean. The launch of the new crest was accompanied by the introduction of new jerseys sponsored by MacNean House and Bistro. Other local businesses have also come on board to support the club and these include local builders, Myles and Jimmy Feeley who sponsored fleece jackets for the senior panel and committee members. Seamus Dolan Electrical Limited generously sponsored kit bags and Manorhamilon and Blacklion butcher, Damien Thornton sponsored tee-shirts for players. Tweet

Most Read Stories