GAA News from Club PRO Jason Mahon

Shannonbridge GAA Annual General Meeting

The Shannonbridge AGM was held on Friday last, 28^th November in Shannonbridge national school in which there was a very good turn-out between members and players alike.

Chairman Tom Moore thanked all who contributed throughout the past year, especially Roger Ryan who excelled in his first year as Club Secretary, Olive Costello as Treasurer and particularly Frank Guinan for his tireless work both in selling lotto tickets and his work out at the playing field. As has been stressed in previous years, without Frank the club would struggle to exist.

It was seen as a mixed year for the Bridge, on the playing field our Seniors importantly retained their senior status for another year, the championship got off to a flying start defeating near neighbours Ferbane by 6 points in Doon, before losing narrowly to Leinster kingpins Rhode by the minimum in O’Connor park before finally succumbing by 6 points to Tullamore in the final group game where a loss by only 3 points would still have guaranteed us a place in the quarter finals of the championship.

Our Juniors were very unlucky in the ‘B’ championship, missing out on the knockout stages cruelly on score difference after both Rhode & Tullamore were impressively defeated, we lost by 3 points to eventual champions Clonmore Harps and drew with Ballycommon in the final group game.

Off the field the club can be satisfied with its efforts, fund raising was achieved in the form of a bowling night last March and very successful golf classic held in Ballinasloe in August. Plenty of thanks must go to Jim Killeen, Vinnie Costello and Roger Ryan for all their efforts collecting sponsorship and arranging the fourballs etc..

The club wishes to thank all who contributed to spot prizes, sponsorship and to all who took part.

Minor secretary Ger Corbett gave a very good run-down on the underage grades. Once again from U-12 to minor, the club’s youngsters competed with neighbouring Ferbane, and the club would like to thank Ger & Tony Rohan for their efforts during the year as well as thank Ferbane GAA.

A lot of praise must also go to those who helped organise what was a very successful under-8 tournament at the sports field during the summer. There was a terrific turn-out of youngsters and we would also like to thank other clubs such as St. Rynaghs, Doon, Ferbane, Castledaly and Tubber for contributing to a brilliant occasion for all concerned. A special word of thanks must go to John Ryan, Tony Rohan, Ger Corbett and Noel Mannion who were out at the field throughout coaching sessions and helped make it happen.

We would like to thank outgoing senior football management team Michael Mahon, Mick Devine & Mick Flanagan for their efforts last year.

A lot of thanks must go to Junior manager Tom Moore and his selectors Niall O’Shea & Frank Guinan for all their work this year.

Special word of thanks

The club wishes to extend its deepest gratitude towards outgoing chairman Tom Moore for his tireless work done throughout the club, especially in the past 5 years that he has been chairman. Tom is and has been a great ambassador for the club throughout the years both as a player, team manager & as a club officer and we are delighted that he will remain on in another capacity within the club.

Thanks a million Tom.

Club Officers for 2009

The club would like to announce the following as club officers for the coming year.

Chairman – Dennis Loonam

Vice-chairman – Frank Guinan

Secretary – Roger Ryan

Assistant Secretary – Jason Mahon

Treasurer – Olive Costello

Club Registrar – Declan McEvoy

PRO – Jason Mahon

County Board Delegates – Noel Rocke & Tom Moore

Senior & Junior team secretaries – Jason Mahon & Tom Moore

Club membership

Club membership is now due for the coming year, it can be paid to registrar Declan McEvoy, players representative Niall Price or any committee member.

It will be €20 for singles and €30 for families (2 adults & 2 children U-18).

Management for 2009

Mick Devine has been announced as the Senior football manager for the coming year. Mick was part of the management team for the last year and his knowledge and experience will be priceless as we attempt to make our mark in the county next year.

We wish him the best of luck!!

His selectors and junior management team have yet to be confirmed.