SHAMROCKS FC HOLD THEIR END OF SEASON NIGHT
On Saturday night Oriel Park was the place to be not only was the cup final between Bellurgan Utd and Muirhevnamor taking place, but the Shamrocks FC presentation night was also on in the Lilywhite Lounge.
With over 350 kids playing u8s to u16s the place was packed to capacity as the club paid tribute to all their players and specially the u12s for their Premier Leagues and Cup win and u15s who won their 1st Division.
I wasn’t too long in the door when I met up with club treasurer Barry Griffin from Castle Heights who was with his delightful wife Elaine and kids Barry Jnr., Sean, Dean, Kaitlin, Keeva and Chloe and his mum Patricia Griffin originally from Fatima but now living on the Blaney Road who were all up for making the very best of the night.
After this I caught up with Colin Matthews from Kilkerley whose son Rafael kicks with the u8s and Paddy McArdle from Fatima Park who was with grandson Cillain McArdle from Lios Dubh is a main man with the u14s. The lads were in good form and said I ask far too many questions!
Not too long later I caught up with my old mates Catherine O’Hare and Kevin Moore from Toberona who were with kids Frankie and Bonnie who both play u10s and love it and Finley who was there to support the footballers on the night.
Making my way through one of the biggest crowds I’ve ever seen in the Lilywhite Lounge I then met up with John McCann from Roche whose grandson Harry Treacy from Hackballscross plays with u8s and they were having a laugh with Arlene McArdle from Castletown Cottages whose son Alex u12s and JJ. u8s just love playing with Shamrocks. And Arlene told me the club has fantastic coaches who really know how to encourage the lads to play.
I then caught up with Valerie Levins from Toberona who told me her son Calum plays and son Dale was there to support him on the night.
Also at the same table were Margaret, Dermot, Sean and Niall Connolly from Toberona Road who said that Sean kicks with u14s and Niall straps on his boots with u10s and they just love it.
Not too long later I caught up with Emilia and Rafal Bratz from Tom Bellew Avenue whose son Jason plays with the team and they were looking forward to an excellent night with everyone there.
Seated close by were Aidan and Maeve Mulrooney from Greenwood Drive who were with their kids Maeve, Dympna and Sinead as well as their friend Siobhan Nash. They were there to cheer on Siobhan’s sin DD Reilly who is a star with the u13s.
After this I then got talking to Sean McKenna from Silverbridge who told me his son Max plays with u9s and he and daughter Hazel were there to cheer him on when he got his medal.
Next I met up with Kevin Ellis from Oakland Park who was with son Cian u10s and Bernard Verbeek from Ashling Park who son Bernard Jnr. shines with the u10s and the dads told me that ‘it is a helluva club for the kids’.
Not too far away I then caught up with Jennifer Drum and Brona Keenan both from Fatima who told me their kids Cormac and Tommy Quinn both star with u11s and were looking forward to the presentation.
Finally, before I departed I met up with Mark Cavanagh from Toberona who was with kids Brooklyn u11s and Joshua u8s and daughter Paige. Mark was chatting to Ben Putnam from Castleblaney with his sons Michael u11s ad Daniel u10s. Long way to come to play with the Shamrocks I thought, but if the club are that good, and your wife is from ‘ the town’ sure why not!
An excellent night for the club which seemed to overshadow the cup final outside that everyone said was an incident free match that saw Muirhevnamor become victors 1-0 in a game that most would prefer to forget. Spoiled by the World Cup I’d be thinking there lads.