Dungarvan-based company Shanley Electrical Contractors Ltd prides itself on its strong links with the local GAA scene. Company directors Ian Kiely - himself a member of the Ballinacourty and Abbeyside clubs - and Brian Shanley explain more. One company who could easily field an inter-firms team if they so wished is Shanley Electrical Contractors Ltd of Dungarvan. Of its 100-strong staff, a large percentage are involved in the local GAA scene. The company prides itself on its GAA links which is hardly surprising given that its two directors, Brian Shanley and Ian Kiely, are staunch football and hurling supporters. Brian, who is managing director, played with the Abbeyside hurling and Ballinacourty football clubs in his younger days. His late father Tom, who hailed from Clonakilty, actually won an All-Ireland junior football medal with Cork in 1955. Ian, who combines the role of director with that of contracts manager, continues to play for Abbeyside and Ballinacourty. Similar to his father Michael before him, he has represented Waterford in different grades of football and hurling over the years. Last year, he was full forward on the Ballinacourty team which lost to Tramore in the county senior football championship semi-final. "If we hadn't had so many injuries and the senior championship had been run off earlier in the year, we might have reached the county final," he explains. "But it was still a great year for Ballinacourty and Abbeyside. Ballinacourty won the under 16, minor and under 21 football championships, while Abbeyside were victorious in the minor and intermediate hurling championships. Twelve of the Ballinacourty team that played Tramore in the senior football semi-final also lined out for Abbeyside in their intermediate hurling final victory over Erin's Own." Of the five championships successes shared between the sister clubs, Abbeyside's intermediate hurling triumph was undoubtedly the highlight. In a dramatic final at Walsh Park on November 16, a late point from Waterford football star and Shanley Electrical employee Gary Hurney gave Abbeyside a 3-12 to 4-8 victory over Erin's Own and secured their ticket to the senior ranks in the process. Abbeyside were rocked by the concession of an early goal, but points from Hurney (two) and John Paul Keoghan had brought them level by the 10th minute. Erin's Own regained the lead with a second goal, but it was quickly cancelled out by a similar score from Hurney after goalkeeper Seamus Burns had his penalty effort saved. Abbeyside trailed by 2-5 to 2-7 at the interval, but within minutes of the restart they were back on level terms thanks to a goal from Laurence Hurney (another Shanley Electrical employee). Erin's Own regained the lead when former county star Damien Byrne grabbed their third goal. A fourth Erin's Own goal from Pat Delahunty looked set to deny Abbeyside, but after Shane Briggs had levelled again, man of the match Gary Hurney slotted over the winning point in injury-time. Another notable achievement was Ballinacourty's minor football success, which was their third on the trot. In the final against De La Salle, Ballinacourty trailed by 1-3 to 2-2 at the break. But the second half belonged to Ballinacourty who sealed a 2-8 to 2-3 win thanks to a late goal from Jason O'Brien. Apart from Gary Hurney, the best known footballer on Shanley Electrical's books is former county player Niall Curran. Curran, whose father Joe had a stint as Waterford manager in the late 1990s, also had reason to celebrate last year when he starred at corner forward on the Stradbally team which captured the county senior football title for the third year in-a-row. Eoin Cunningham and Niall's first cousin Trevor Curran were Shanley Electrical's other representatives on the team. Incidentally, Trevor's late father Alo Curran - brother of Joe - also managed the Waterford senior footballers and guided them to a McGrath Cup success in the mid-80s. Curran, who is a site foreman currently based at the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), hasn't played for Waterford in over two years because of a shoulder problem which has also curtailed his involvement with Stradbally. "I only played four matches this year for Stradbally and they were all in the championship," the 25-year-old says. "I haven't played county football since 2001 because of the injury which I hope to get sorted out for once and for all in the near future. I was advised by a specialist not to play at all until I have the shoulder operated on, but I still managed to play a few games this year." Stradbally were unbeaten in last year's senior championship. They overcame an emerging Ardmore in the opening round before accounting for The Nire after a replay. After a ridiculous wait of some 13 weeks, Stradbally renewed their rivalry with The Nire (who had come through the losers' group) in the semi-final. Again, Stradbally had the upperhand with Curran's contribution of 0-9 proving crucial. Stradbally completed a hat-trick of county title wins when they powered to a 1-11 to 0-8 victory over Ballymacourty's semi-final conquerors Tramore in front of 3,000 spectators at Fraher Field, Dungarvan on November 23. In what was the last county final to be played anywhere in 2003, Stradbally never looked back after Ger Power scored the only goal after just 90 seconds. Such was the holders' early dominance that they could have added another three goals in the opening 10 minutes. The winners had stormed into a 1-2 to 0-0 lead before Lee Quilty opened Tramore's account in the 15th minute. The seasiders reduced the deficit to two points with five minutes remaining in the half, but it was as close as they came as Stradbally went on to lead by 1-5 to 0-5 at the interval. Stephen Cunningham stretched the winners' advantage with a 32nd minute point before Michael O'Donoghue responded for Tramore from a free. But three points on the trot from Curran, Power and George Walsh enabled the champions to open up a 1-9 to 0-6 lead. Quilty replied with a brace of points in the 46th and 49th minutes, only for Cunningham and Power to hit back with insurance points for Stradbally. "It was great to do the three in-a-row. But because the championship ran so late, we didn't get the chance to represent Waterford in the Munster club championship. In the two previous years, we weren't able to do ourselves justice in the Munster championship because we had just a week's grace after winning the county final," Curran recalls. Founded 30 years ago by the aforementioned Tom Shanley and his wife Catherine, Shanley Electrical Contractors Ltd specialise in electrical and mechanical installations. Many of Shanley's original clients are still doing business with the company. These include the Irish Distillers Group, Lawter International, Stafford Miller, Irish Fertilizer Industries and Irish Refining. Shanley's connections with American parent companies has given its staff the opportunity to work abroad and to date, successful projects have been completed in Russia, Belgium and Puerto Rico. Shanley's foreign projects are usually overseen by Task International which is a sister company. Shanley Electrical's highly-skilled and experienced technicians have been central to the company's ongoing expansion and success. The company is currently doing works for Trinity College, DCU, Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown, DIT, IT Tralee, Waterford Crystal and most major construction companies. According to Brian, the company tries to ensure that the GAA players among its staff are based locally during the championship season. "As a countrywide operation, a lot of our staff are based away from Dungarvan. There are also opportunities for people to work abroad but some decide to stay at home, showing loyalty to their club. In saying that, we try to base the lads who are involved with local clubs as close to home as possible during the summer. I think it is something that is appreciated by the clubs," he concludes. An tSráibhaile 1886-2003 Stradbally GAA club is one of the oldest clubs in Waterford having been founded in 1886 when it evolved from an athletic club at that time. However, we soon took to the football and as they say, the rest is history. Whilst one may point to the fact that our hinterland is quite small, we have turned this into an advantage. Our teams are based on a small panel of players, who are bonded together for the love of Stradbally club and parish and continue the tradition of 117 years. Our first title was won in 1932 when we were crowned Junior County Champions. Five years later we annexed the county minor championship in 1937. Whilst we had the players, it was the arrival of a great organiser, the late Fr. Pat Cummins that put us on the map as a football power. Between 1940 and 1944 five county senior football titles came to reside beside the Tay. An interesting facet of Fr Cummins reign was that he donated a set of red jerseys, the first in the county to bear numbers, which became the colours of the club from then on. Up to that time the clubs jerseys were blue with a white sash. It took until 1972 before another senior title arrived with the defeat of Kill in the county final. The eighties were a fruitful decade for the reds. Three senior championships were won, viz 1980, 1982 and 1987. The nineties were a case of hard luck tales for our senior footballers, being on the losing side in the years 1990, 1991 and 1999. As the last millennium ended a determined effort was forthcoming under the guidance of Seán Ahern as trainer aided by Michael Coffey, David Kirwan, Jim Skehan and Tom Cunningham as selectors. Now with a mixture of youth and experience, another great chapter was unfolded with the capture of three titles in a row, 2001, 2002 and 2003. George Walsh being captain in '01 when Rathgormac were defeated. The second in the treble was annexed in 2002 when the Nire were beaten on a score of Stradbally 0-12, the Nire 0-10 when Kevin Cunningham was on the podium to receive the Conway Cup. So we have reached the present time, and the third in a row, when Stradbally under the captaincy of Niall Curran were victors over a youthful Tramore side on a score of Stradbally 1-11, Tramore 0-8. "This" said Stradbally Manager Seán Ahearne "is the greatest day of my footballing life, the greatest of all days since I first became involved with the club, all those years ago." Stradbally has been to the forefront in the other facets of a progressive club 1. Purchased a playing field in 1972 and is now one of the showpieces for a rural club. 2. Developed the field over a number of years and the construction of two new dressing rooms and have further ambitious plans to develop our facilities for future generations. 3. We also pride ourselves in our fine clubhouse which includes a social centre with bar and dance licences. 4. Purchase of a second playing field now being developed. Club Officers for 2003 Chairman - Pat Fennell (now in his 7th term) Secretary - John McGrath, assisted by Breda Kiely GAA Treasurer - George Walsh Social Treasurer - Margaret Cunningham PRO - Eamonn Clancy Trainer and Manager - Sean Ahearne Selectors - Above with Jim Skehan, Michael Coffey, Eoin O'Brien and David Kirwan. Assistant Trainer - David Kirwan Our club is 117 years in existence in this year of 2003. We look forward with hope and confidence to the next 117 years. Tweet

Most Read Stories