Shannon Notes April 11th 2009

We probably had one of the most mixed weeks of results and happenings off the pitch than we have had in some time with Superb highs and excruciating lows, all contained in a little under seven days. The president's night was one of the most enjoyable club nights we have had for some time , but it was tinged with a deep sense of sadness as we mourned the death of Diarmuid Sheridan. Shock was something we all felt as news filtered through of the tragedy

Diarmuid played with our thirds for some time and transferred to Monkstown this season due to work commitments in Dublin. An affable and reliable person , He was a multi skilled person in sport and is mourned by many clubs of all codes. We convey the deepest sympathy to his friends ,family and colleagues in this difficult time for them. May he rest in peace.

Our president Liam Costello expressed the feelings of the club when he stood up to addressed those that gathered to honour him and his presidency. He also mentioned others that have died during the course of the year and the void they have left , notably Frankie and Mike Bourke and the fondness that both are remembered with. It was however a night of celebration and the reintroduction of club person of the year was perhaps the highlight of the evening. A standing ovation from the 170 people gathered greeted the announcement that the joint recipients were Ann Brown and Violet O'Flynn. Veiled in secrecy right up until the moment Tadhg Crowe announced it , both Ann and Violet were more than taken aback. It was a moment when you felt the entire club, past and present united behind two ladies that have represent the ethos and traits of Shannon for well over 50 years. It was a brilliant moment and one of many great throughout the entire night. Great credit is due to Liam and his wonderful wife Mary, as well as Gerry Ryan, Tommy Rowan and Martin Clancy for their efforts. Also Maire and her staff were highly instrumental in the success of the night.

The following couple of days brought great success on the field starting with the crowning of our ladies senior side as All Ireland plate winners. It had been some time since we competed at All Ireland final level and most of the side had never reached this level , but it barley showed as they swept past Malahide comprehensively , despite a dogged challenge throughout. Someone who has been around for a while with buckets of experience was Amanda Greensmith and it was her calming influence that set the tone for the day. Captain Laura O'Shea raised the trophy aloft on behalf of a team that certainly and their struggles over course of the season, it represented a journey of highs and lows. Their coaches Keith Wallace and Leonard Cassidy have brought their game up a notch and there's no doubt without their guidance and coaching the ladies would not have been in an All Ireland Final. Congratulatuions to everyone involved.

Our U/20's faced a physical Garryowen side in the North Munster league final on Tuesday evening and although they competed very well in the opening half they couldn't maintain their efforts and Garryowen took the spoils. The gale force wind should have had a bigger influence of the game and while we held Garryowen to 8-3 facing the wind , the light blues played the conditions far better than we did. An early try by Garryowen followed by the awarding of a bizarre penalty gave saw us chasing the game, but they lads weren't short on determination and heart. Colm Quinn slotted over a penalty and we kept chasing the score, but couldn't convert endeavour to points. The second half saw Garryowen pull away and clinch the title. As mentioned before the U/20's may not have won silverware , but this young side improved throughout the season which will stand to them next year when most are once again underage.

Given the circumstances the thirds Munster league quarter final with UCC was called off and is rescheduled for Monday at 3pm in Cork.

Underage was a hive of activity with no shortage of success. The U/10's travelled to Midleton to play in an International festival of rugby and played briallantly throughout and won the competition , while the U/12's went to Waterpark and just missed the cup playoffs on try count. It wasn't the end of their participation and they went on to beat Pirati Italia from Bergamo in the plate semi final and then accounted hosts Waterpark in the final. It was confident display from the lads and they thoroughly deserved their success.

The U/14's advanced to the league final with an excellent 17-0 win over Young Munster with all the points scored in the first half Cormac O'Donnell crashed over for the first and Conor Glynn then went over for trademark score. Michael Foley rounded off the try scoring with Ronan Mc Kenna adding to the scoreline with a conversion. Young Munster fought back well in the second half but the exertions earlier gave the lads the confidence to batten down the hatches. The final takes place this Friday evening in Coonagh at 6.30 against either Garryowen of Thomond. Also to advance was the U/13's who had a great win over UL/Bohs by 17-9. The U/16's tour to Treviso was a great success and all the hard work from parents and coaches in fundraising certainly paid off. They did play in a tournament and didn't do too badly winning 2 , drawing 1 and losing 1. They are now back to reality and play away to Ennis on Monday .

The minis hosted a big contingent from Blackrock in Coonagh and then back in the clubhouse last Saturday. Bathed in sunshine the Coonagh pitches were a hive of activity with over a hundred players involved and after the minis vacated , the U/15's played host to Ealing. On Saturday the U/11's host a tournament in Coonagh from 11 am .

The big focus of this weekend is our senior side's pursuit of a playoff place in the AIB league. We face a seriously difficult task against UL/Bohs in Annacotty and given we have played them a couple of times over the course of the season, both sides will be familiar with each other. Kickoff is at 2.30. Looking ahead to next week's game with Dolphin a supporters lunch is being held in the clubhouse and bookings and details can be got from Ger McCloskey @087 2745926.

Tickets for Munster V Connacht next Saturday evening in Thomond Park are available and anyone wishing to avail of same should contact Tadhg Crowe immediately.

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