There was a full house at The Monkstown Golf Club recently when large numbers of Shamrocks, young and old assembled for a Victory Dinner and celebration to mark the Junior Footballers successful 2016 season.
After an elongated wait of twenty two years The Junior Footballers captured silverware and the Pad Joe Cronin Memorial Trophy made its first call to Shamrocks.
The team’s commendable run in the County series saw them reach their first County final since 1933. On the day the West Cork opponents, Gabriel Rangers, won the day.
The team consisting of youth and experience gave the Club and its supporters a great year and there were some thrilling and exhilarating contests both in the South-East and County games. To be fair to our footballers they captured the admiration and goodwill of people far and near. Such historic achievements are always marked with a suitable function and on Saturday night last the players received their silver medals the mark of supremacy in South East Cork. The 2016 medal will be a collector’s item as the GAA commissioned a special enamelled centre for medals, marking the 100 anniversary of the 1916 Rising.
The presentation of medals was made by Mr. Pat Desmond, Chairman of the South-East Board who along with his wife Mary were guests of the Club. Special mementos were presented to the Manager, Coach and Selectors by the Club’s President Mr. Michael Brennan.
Club Chairman Mr. Pat McCarthy, had a céad míle failte for everybody and he paid due tribute to the successful players and mentors. He was loud in his praise for the very loyal supporters who stood by the Club at all times and were always consistent and generous in their financial contributions.
South-East Chairman Mr.Pat Desmond was keen to acknowledge the work being done by the Shamrock Club. He alluded to the recent successes of the under age Teams and the huge efforts and resources being put into that area by the Club. He thanked the Schools for their work and particularly Head Teachers Mr. John Herlihy and Mr. David Nolan. Pat added that it was great to see the Ladies Club building strong foundations and registering a first championship winning trophy in 2016. He wished the Club well in their up and coming development work, ensuring that Shamrocks will have facilities of the highest order going into the future.
For some players it was a very historic occasion as they were completing a unique double. Players, including Senan Collins, Steve O’Neill, Chris O’Neill, Joseph Shanahan, Senan Andrews, Brian Sweeney and Michael Prout, had won Hurling medals when, under John Collins, captured the 2005 championship
Among the large attendance was Dick Andrews who captained the team when they last won in 1994. John Collins had the unique distinction of captaining the team to win both Hurling and Football championships in the past. Of course it was the father of our esteemed Club President Mr. Michael Brennan, Abie Brennan who introduced and pioneered football in the Club in the early years of the last century.
The attendance, both young and old were decked out in their best finery and made it a night to relish and remember The Club in the early years of the last century
