Shannon Notes May 16th 2008

What a feeling. AIB league champions, and even after eight previous titles, we will never tire of that tingling feeling of success.

"Shannon RFC, Fortune Favours The Brave". So the flag draped over the face of the East stand said. It wasn't a flag that can compete in size with the monstrous red one that usually does the rounds of Thomond Park on Munster match days, but its meaning was no less important. Brave, our lads certainly were, fortunate no doubt, but the flags message said it all. Its creator is one of our most dedicated supporters, Clíodhna Kelleher who dwells in Co. Offaly, but has missed only a couple of our games in over 10 years. Her dedication to Shannon is mirrored in our side's dedication in the pursuit of success. But she's not alone. We have so many fantastic supporters who could scarcely envisage reaching a final, let alone winning the AIB League at the start of the season. But each and every one of our supporters can claim some credit. Once our multitasked assistant secretary Ger Mc Closkey took time from his other roles as registrar and Chairman of the development committee to almost single-handedly rekindled the supporters coaches to away games and, instigate the now fondly remembered overnight to Ballymena, than the tone was set for the continuing close bond between players and supporters.

I have repeatedly referred to our opening game against Blackrock and the difficult journey that lay ahead of us back then, and not the one immediately after the match. It was a big dent in confidence that needed to be rectified if our very survival in the top eight could be secured. But that's what makes Shannon rugby club what it is. Negatives transposed to positives, low confidence built back up again and all done in a relatively short space of time. It was at that stage that our new management team came into their own. Geoff, Cullie, and Ger picked those guys up and reaffirmed the systemic self belief of Shannon teams and it's to the credit of those three men that we stand as AIB league winners again. They certainly weren't alone and without the unwavering assistance from men like Ger Mullally, Martin Flannery, Darragh Little and others last Saturday would definitely not have happened

The pitch may be newly laid, the surrounding edifices may have changed beyond recognition since our first appearance as tenants in Thomond Park, but the constant ethos and theme that runs through any Shannon team of any era remained the same. The ghosts of Shannon players past may well have been urging and guiding the present hero's, they may well have even been standing shoulder to shoulder with them on the hallowed ground, but there's one thing that we can't doubt and that's the fact that anyone who represents our club does so in the knowledge that their presence is merely transitional and their jersey is only in their care for the period they are in possession.

Inspiration for such performances comes from many sources. Personal desires, collective goals, fear of failure, a desire to justify your jersey to your teammates and those that went before, a yearning to become part of history. Each as valid a reason as the next, but amongst all those sources of inspiration last Saturday, was the common theme of one man. He wasn't mentioned too often in the build up. Emotionally it may have been overpowering, especially for one of our players, but he was there, a constant presence in the mindset, not only of players, but everyone in the club. The memory of Frankie O'Flynn will live with Shannon RFC forever, but that memory will never be evoked with such emotion as it was when his grandson Ritchie Mullane collected our first cup with Fiach since his passing last November.

This AIB All Ireland League win was without doubt in memory of Frankie. Geoff made a promise to Violet prior to the semi final that his team would win it the title for Frankie, and justification of that promise came last Saturday.

Now, amongst all our euphoria we won't lose sight of the fact that the game was actually a draw after such an epic encounter. Clontarf were magnificent throughout the game and both teams contributed to what is now widely regarded as the best final ever. How would we have felt if the roles were reversed? Devastated no doubt and its of little consolation to the superb Clontarf that their efforts were no less than our own. Nevertheless whatever develops in the future regarding separation of sides, competition rules were implemented last Saturday and fortunately for us, Dunny's first try clinched our ninth title.

The Clontarf management, players and officials were magnanimous to a fault and it will be a pleasure to meet them again twice next season.

How did it feel to walk the short distance from the East Stand to our clubhouse at around 7.pm Saturday evening with the Cup firmly in Fiach's grasp? Well, of all our final victories, this homecoming was without doubt the sweetest. It wasn't an 11 or 12 O'clock bleary eyed arrival after a journey from Dublin, but a full on, already buzzing clubhouse where we were enthusiastically greeted by our fantastic supporters, and then the party began in earnest.

Even at that stage the players bodies were beginning to ache from the extreme exertions, especially in those nail biting 20 minutes of extra time. Stephen Kelly played for a lengthy period with what has now been confirmed as a broken hand, Frankie Mc's calves were screaming at him to give up and Dave Quinlan may never put in as many tackles in such a short space of time. But it was the collective effort of everyone as the red and blue wave of attacks came thick and fast. NO PENALTIES , NO PENALTIES was the mantra from all over and in such tense circumstances, for no player to test the patience of the excellent Alain Rolland was worthy of the trophy alone.

It was a day of club tradition, family tradition and a day of the next generation. There's something of a baby boom around the club at the moment. Kevin Griffin proudly held his son Kevin Junior afterwards, while Ger Mullally had the grasp of his grandson, 3 month old Darragh. Chairman Jack Keane's young Grandson Mike proudly wearing his Shannon Jersey and the plethora of other tiny tots in the black and blue. Nepotism isn't something I do often, but if Mr Thornley of The Times can acknowledge my own two week old baby Colin, than so can I who was there decked in the Shannon colours supporting his brother and team mascot Aaron. Is that not another strand of what our club is about, the family tradition?

What a day, what a team, what a club.

The traditional visit of the team and trophy to the Alan Oakley day was first of several stops on the Sunday celebration trail. Once again the annual underage wrap up was bathed in glorious sunshine which obviously further enhances a great day for players and family. Great credit must go to the underage committee for smooth running of events which now in its 11th year almost runs itself.

The announcement of a couple of potential new Shannon international caps in the upcoming Tours to North America was another highlight of the week. Whilst its of no great surprise that Ian Dowling and Niall Ronan were selected along with the other established players, it's still exciting to potentially have two further internationals in our midst. On the down side of the week, Alan Quinlan's heartbreak is felt by everyone in Shannon and whilst its of little comfort to the great warrior, we are extremely proud of his initial selection and he will continue to be a source of great pride to Shannon.

Tadgh Crowe informs us that there are still a few tickets for Munster's Magners league coronation game this Friday against the Ospreys are still available.

The AGM takes place next Tuesday evening in the club house so next week's notes will conclude another memorable season.