LATEST CLUB NOTES Senior Ladies Congratulations to our senior ladies who were crowned Armagh division two champions last Monday after overcoming Sarsfields on a score-line of 6-10 to 2-6. Having finished the league unbeaten and five points clear of Shanes in the final standings, Sarsfields went into game as favourites. However this young Shanes team delivered a master-class of outstanding teamwork from start to finish that even an experienced and well organised Sarsfields side had simply no answer to. Shanes began the sharper of the two, getting ahead on the score-board while defensively they continually frustrated their opponents by quickly closing space and pressuring every attempt by Sarsfields to get scores. With half-time fast approaching the Shanes enjoyed a nine point lead when a Sarsfields player stumbled into a small pothole in midfield going down in obvious pain. Incredibly the referee decided to sin bin Shanes captain Louise Kenny, as she was the nearest to the unfortunate player at the time. This bizarre injustice only served to galvanise the Shanes girls for the first ten minutes of the second-half as they absorbed pressure at the back and hit Sarsfields on the break to maintain their lead. With Louise back on the pitch Shanes thundered on to a clear victory as Sarsfields wilted in the final quarter. Afterwards team captain Louise Kenny accepted the cup on behalf of the team, commiserating with Sarsfields and thanking all who helped on the night and all year. Shanes now go up to division one, a level they truly belong in, after this magnificent display. On behalf of the club I would like to congratulate all the girls and their management team of Peter Lynch, Brendan McGuire, Yasmin Mackin and Claire Garvey for all their hard work throughout the year, culminating in the league title last week. The winning Shanes team was: Niamh Carroll, Blaithin Mackin, Emma Kenny, Ellen Loughran, Ebony Rafferty, Nicola McFadden, Aimee Mackin Jessica Watters, Ciara Jones, Yasmin Mackin, Cliodhna Sloan, Ellen Hannaway, Caroline McMenamin, Marieanne Marron, Tara Byrne, Louise Kenny(Capt), Hannah McMenamin, Siofra Doyle, Chloe McCrave, Aoibheann Jones. The vast majority of this team still have the upcoming Ulster minor championship to defend with the first round scheduled to take place over the week-end of 1st/2nd November, the semi-final on 23rd November with the final due to be played over the week-end 6th/7th or 14th December. Training will take place on Thursday evenings at 6.00pm and Sunday mornings at 11.00am, beginning this Thursday 2nd October. U21s Our U21s were in action on Sunday afternoon when they took on Craobh Ciaran in the semi-final of the Intermediate championship but they fell to a four point defeat, 2 – 12 to 1 – 11. The sides swapped points early on with Shay Carroll on target for the Shanes before Craobh Ciaran went a point in front but the Shanes got the next two points from Ryan McCabe and Mark McCabe before James Girvan goaled for the Camlough side. However Craobh Ciaran scored two goals and three points on the trot to put them five to the good but points from Ryan Evans, Mark McCabe and Connaire Mackin saw the Shanes trail by two at the break. The amalgamated side stretched their advantage shortly after the interval but Ryan Evans replied for the Shanes with his second point of the game. Craobh Ciaran then hit three points in row in a period which also saw the Shanes reduced to fourteen men but the Camlough side hit the next three points to keep themselves well in the game with Mark McCabe, Cian Feehan and Marc Feehan all on target. Craobh Ciaran stretched their advantage to four with their eleventh point of the game with Shay Carroll responding for the Shanes but Craobh Ciaran got the last point of the contest to claim the win by four, 2 – 12 to 1 – 11. Overall it was game of missed chances for the Shanes and as the old saying goes, goals win games and over the hour the Shanes failed to convert at least four goal scoring opportunities. U10s Twelve of our U10 footballers set off Sunday morning for a tournament at the Eire Og club in Craigavon. They were placed in a group with fellow Armagh clubs Ballyhegan, Tullysarran and the host club Eire Og. During what were very competitive group games the Shanes played some excellent football and ran out winners of all their group games and subsequently topped their group. The four group winners met in the cup semi finals and the opposition this time were Maghery. It took the Shanes a short time to come to grips with Maghery’s style of play but as soon as they did they played their best football of the day so far to emerge as relatively comfortable winners of the semi final. The final was a very exciting affair against a very big and physically strong Madden side. The Shanes battled hard in the final but unfortunately they ended up losing a very closely fought affair. This was a fabulous effort from all twelve players on the day with all making a good contribution and no less than nine of them are eligible for the U10s next season! Thanks also to the parents who made the long journey to support their team and who assisted with travel arrangements. The club would also like to thank the Eire Og club for the invite to what was a very well run affair and provided a fantastic day out for our players. Training continues at 6.00pm this Friday as normal and the U10s have a tournament in Killeavy next Sunday morning. U8s Our U8s were in action in Newry on Saturday in the Ian McKeown memorial tournament. The Shanes were placed in a tough group along with Mayobridge, Bryansford and Attical. The group games provided some very entertaining football and as the Shanes progressed their performances improved - indeed they played their best football of the season in the last two group games. At the end of the group stages they were drawn with Ardglass in the quarter final of the shield competition. Playing even better than earlier in the day the Shanes ran out very comfortable winners of their quarter final. A semi final against Attical awaited the team and this was a very exciting match with some excellent passing, tackling and score taking from both sides. The level of commitment was huge and a few young players took heavy knocks but still got up to continue playing. At the end of 15 minutes of football we were unlucky to lose out by a single point on a score-line of 2 - 2 to 1 - 4. There was huge disappointment at the final whistle but this day produced our best football of the year and the kids should be very proud of their displays and the way they represented their club and parents. Thanks to the Shamrocks club for their invite to an excellent tournament. Training continues this Friday at 6.00pm as normal. U6s Training for our U6s has recommenced on Wednesday evenings at 6.00pm in Bessbrook Community Centre. All boys and girls at this age group are more than welcome to attend. Free Coaching Awards The Ulster Council is offering the chance of free coaching awards to unemployed or club volunteers looking to develop their coaching skills. The course will take place in St Peters club in Lurgan on 2nd – 4th December from 10.00am – 4.00pm. For further information please contact Peter McKeown on 07933 93429.
Posted on: Sun, 28 Sep 2014 17:01:02 +0000
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