Latest GAA news from Conor Killeen

The Bridge back in the hunt

Shannonbridge senior Footballers were sensationally handed a life line during the past week as the central council of the GAA awarded Shannonbridge a share of the points from the senior relegation game with Doon,which ended in a draw.

The whole controversy began when when Shannonbridge accidentally finished the match with sixteen Men on the field at the end of full time.

The Player in question Jim Killeen who has given magnificent service to Shannonbridge by playing adult Football with the Club for twenty years and also gave his services to the Offaly Senior team, accidentally came back on the field after been substituted in the dying minutes of the game.

An objection was lodged to the County board from Edenderry and subsequently the game was then awarded to Doon. Shannonbridge then lodged an appeal to the Leinster Council who overturned the Offaly County boards decision.

The faithful board then appealed the Leinster Council's decision and went to the Central Council of the GAA. But the verdict was not changed and Shannonbridge were awarded a share of the points from the Doon match.

The club were surprised the length of time the proceedings have gone on and considering the player in question the amount of service he has given to the GAA in Offaly and his club has also served as Secretary for the past number of years with Shannonbridge and with an impeccable record of never having any disciplinary action taken against him in all the years of service to his club and County.

The result now leaves Edenderry resigned to playing intermediate Football for 2007 and either Doon or Shannonbridge to join the reds next season. Now that political wrangling is over we can now get down to eventually finishing this years Senior football championship and let all players have a well deserved break.


Senior Challenge
Shannonbridge recorded a good win over Roscommon intermediate champions Kilmore on Sunday last. The Bridge were best served by Fergal McEvoy and David Corbett on the day.