Last weekend was a busy one for Gaelic Football in Britain.
The inter County Football championships were in full swing with London and Warwickshire pitted against each other at Pairc na hEireann.
This was a relatively low scoring game with Warwickshire defending solidly to control the contest for fifty minutes. A late burst from London saw them record the only goal of the game and with only three minutes remaining. Then with the clock ticking down up stood Gavin O’Flaherty to kick the winner and take his London side into the semi final.
Gavin is son of John O’Flaherty from Shanbally, himself a deft and skilful footballer.
John wore the Shamrock colours with distinction and his great legacy is of course his devastating performance in Camden in the final of the 1994 South East Junior B Football final.
Shamrocks defeated the odds on favourites Valley Rovers that day. John made all the headlines with a masterful display. Monkstown man Seamus O’Flynn captained the team.
Gavin has fine pedigree and he scored 0-3 out of a total tally of 1-7 recorded by London.
Gavin plays his Club football with Thomas McCurtains.
His Grandmother Mrs. Betty O’Flaherty will be delighted too and she is a busy woman these days. On Sunday morning next she will formally unveil the old Shanbally NS. Limestone name plate, inscription reads ” Shanbally NS Boys and Girls 1890″. This is part of a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the current Shanbally N.S.
Well done to Gavin and we wish him more success and hopefully London can capture the All Britain Title for 2015.